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2015 Offense Discussion

There are, what, 4 relatively minor questions about this offense? A RT, depth at RB and TE, and a reliable deep threat. There seems to be plenty in the cupboard to answer those questions, although that deep threat is perhaps the most concerning.

Conventional wisdom is that defense comes together quicker and easier than offense. It could be overly optimistic to think the offense that goes out on 9/7 is going to pick up where they left off on 1/12. Still, I just don't see how a defense can deal with the threats that come from a QB who distributes and runs/passes, a QB who can throw it over your head and run your head over, a great RB, an elite athlete at H-back, a TE who can catch, and multiple WR options. If Bud Foster can stop that offense, then I will send a contribution to build his statue. But I do think the Bucks can slow themselves down. It's the only question I have about how it is going to go on Labor Day.
 
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2015 SEASON PREVIEW: BUCKEYES HAVE DEPTH, EXPERIENCE ON OFFENSIVE LINE

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d Warriner has been Ohio State’s most valuable assistant coach over the past few seasons for a reason. He’s great at what he does.

Three seasons ago, he turned tight end Reid Fragel into an NFL-caliber tackle. In 2013, he coached up a young Taylor Decker and helped him rebound from a rough early outing against Buffalo defensive end Khalil Mack. By season’s end, Decker and his linemates formed one of the country’s top offensive lines, paving the way for Carlos Hyde’s 1,500-yard rushing season and Braxton Miller added 1,000 more–despite the fact both players missed two games.

Last year, Warinner started over, with only Decker returning, and even he swapped ends to protect the quarterback from the blind side on the left. The other four spots were filled by all new starters, including two converted defensive linemen. “The Slobs,” as they affectionately dubbed themselves, started the season with a couple of rough outings, particularly against Virginia Tech in Week 2, but rebounded to become perhaps the nation’s best unit, mashing Alabama’s top-five run defense for 281 yards and two touchdowns in the Sugar Bowl (the Crimson Tide allowed only five rushing scores all season).

Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...keyes-have-depth-experience-on-offensive-line
 
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2015 SEASON PREVIEW: UNDER URBAN MEYER, OHIO STATE REGULARLY BREAKS RECORDS. WHICH ONES WILL FALL IN 2015?

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Last season's Ohio State team broke or tied 74 different records. This season, they boast a more veteran, and arguably even more talented squad. Records will be broken, it's just a matter of which ones and how many.

Earlier this off-season, our own Chris Lauderback did a wonderful job compiling a list of individualand team records that could be in jeopardy this upcoming season, and went in depth on each one. In case you missed it, or needed a reminder right before the start of the season, here's a summary of the individual and team records that could be broken this season (aside from the obvious back-to-back champion one).

TEAM RECORDS
PASSING TOUCHDOWNS (SEASON)
  • Current Record: 2014 Team - 42 touchdowns
  • Why It's In Jeopardy: Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the offense this upcoming season is the number of passing threats on the roster. Of course, there is the unprecedented quarterback battle between J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones, but the situation is even more unique than just that. It's likely that on virtually every play this season, Ohio State will have at two or three players on the field with experience at quarterback. Braxton Miller, Torrance Gibson, and Jalin Marshall are all capable quarterbacks who will be primarily used elsewhere in the offense. The starting quarterback could break this alone, but between all of these athletes there could be touchdown passes galore in 2015.
PASSING YARDS (SEASON)
  • Current Record: 2014 Team - 3,707 yards
  • Why It's In Jeopardy: Ohio State will have arguably the best starting quarterback in the country in 2015, regardless of if it ends up being J.T. Barrett or Cardale Jones. They will send out a Heisman contender at quarterback behind a veteran offensive line, and have him throw to enormously talented receivers like Michael Thomas and Jalin Marshall. The team will also have arguably the best running back in the country in the backfield, which will open up space for the passing game. With two quarterbacks deserving of playing time and the backup being just as good as the starter, there won't be much "garbage" time this season — the ball will be thrown a lot. Top all that off with the fact that Ohio State essentially has three quarterbacks playing wide receiver who could also throw for plenty of yards and you get a very dangerous passing offense that will likely shatter this record.
Continued: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...-state-broke-or-tied-74-records-in-2014-which
 
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Urban Meyer Provides Updates on the Depth Chart

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After a week of two-a-days, Urban Meyer spoke to the media on Saturday and updated the position battles for the Scarlet and Gray.

To the surprise of no one, “quarterback’s not set” Meyer said.

J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones continue the battle for the starting spot in what might be the most talked about quarterback competition in college football history.

The players around the quarterback, the running back and the offensive line, are also set. Ezekiel Elliott, who rushed for 1,878 yards and 18 touchdowns a year ago, is the starting running back. Along the offensive line are returners Taylor Decker at left tackle, Billy Price at left guard, Jacoby Boren at center, Pat Elflein at right guard, and newcomer Chase Farris at right tackle.

“Receiver is going to be a group of five guys probably,” Meyer said.

Despite having to replace starters Devin Smith and Evan Spencer, the Buckeyes are talented and deep at wide receiver. Michael Thomas, who started a year ago, will be the go-to player in the passing game, but others must establish themselves.

Senior Corey Smith, who is suspended for the opener, is expected to lineup opposite Thomas. Redshirt freshman Johnnie Dixon and sophomore Noah Brown have also impressed in camp and will be involved in the passing game.

At H-back, Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson were expected to be the top playmakers but Braxton Miller’s position switch, and Marshall and Wilson’s suspension for the first game, will change things.

After four years, 52 receptions, 792 yards, and seven touchdowns, OSU will need to replace tight end Jeff Heuerman. Redshirt senior Nick Vannett is the next man up and is ready to go according to Meyer.

“Tight end’s set,” Meyer said. “Nick Vannett also goes in the most improved category. He’s had a great camp.”

Behind Vannett is redshirt sophomore Marcus Baugh, a four-star prospect out of California. The Buckeyes are expecting Baugh to help out in multiple tight end formations.

After winning the national title a year ago, Ohio State is the favorite to win again. A major factor in that is the number of returning starters and the talent that replaces those that left.

Because of this, Meyer is confident in the team he’s built.

“We’re ready to rock and roll.”

Entire article: http://theozone.net/Ohio-State/All-...ban-Meyer-Provides-Updates-on-the-Depth-Chart
 
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With Miller at H-Back I wonder what they're gonna do with marshall to get them both on the field. Move him to Z and split time with Noah Brown in 2/3 WR sets or split time at H-Back with Miller? Or all of the above? So many playmakers to get onto the field and only one ball.
 
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With Miller at H-Back I wonder what they're gonna do with marshall to get them both on the field. Move him to Z and split time with Noah Brown in 2/3 WR sets or split time at H-Back with Miller? Or all of the above? So many playmakers to get onto the field and only one ball.

I'd say all of the above. But mostly line up Marshall at Z and Miller/Wilson, Samuel, etc in the slot
 
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Is Gibson being worked as a Pivot or true WR? I assumed Pivot, but his thread title is WR (which could mean either) and Urban has mentioned his potential to fill the need for a deep threat.

WR - Thomas, Corey, Dixon, Noah, and apparently an un-named 5th ?
Pivot - Brax, Jalin, Dontre, Samuel

And of course Gibson is somewhere in there too
 
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How would others rank the non-QB/RB playmakers, regardless of position? Assuming Braxton becomes at least average at running routes and catching, I'll throw out a list that looks something like this:

1. Brax (SR)
2. Thomas (rJR)
3. Jalin (rSO)
4. Vannet (rSR)
5. Samuel (SO)
6. Corey (rSR)
7a. Gibson (FR)
7b. Noah (SO)
7c. Dontre (JR)
7d. Dixon (SO)
11a. Baugh (rSO)
11b. McLaurin (rFR)
11c. Campbell (rFR)
11d. Clark (rSO)

  • It's hard for me to separate the 7s and the 11s at this point, but I'm sure at least one from each group will be moving up the list.
  • I feel like 3 of the best 5 or 6 playmakers (depending on where you rank Samuel) are currently in the pivot role, which leads me to believe that Jalin might start getting more time out wide (maybe he already has been in camp?).
  • I left off the Freshman other than Gibson.
 
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The only group that really matters for you guys is the OL. When you have as much talent as teams like OSU and Bama have, the OL just has to make space and time for the athletes to work. If the OL looks as good this year as it did late last year, the only thing that can hurt you guys is a weak schedule. I see you winning almost all games by a blowout until the playoff. What sometimes happens is that teams that play a slightly weak schedule like OSU's is this year can take a quarter or so to adjust to playing top notch talent again.

There is a reason why you guys are expected to be in the playoff again. All the talent and experience is there on offense. Will the OL maintain it's performance? I think so.
 
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The only group that really matters for you guys is the OL. When you have as much talent as teams like OSU and Bama have, the OL just has to make space and time for the athletes to work. If the OL looks as good this year as it did late last year, the only thing that can hurt you guys is a weak schedule. I see you winning almost all games by a blowout until the playoff. What sometimes happens is that teams that play a slightly weak schedule like OSU's is this year can take a quarter or so to adjust to playing top notch talent again.

There is a reason why you guys are expected to be in the playoff again. All the talent and experience is there on offense. Will the OL maintain it's performance? I think so.


Excellent point. We did look bad in that first quarter against Bama last year while we were adjusting.
 
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OHIO STATE'S OFFENSIVE LINE IN QUITE A DIFFERENT SPOT THAN IT WAS THE LAST TIME THE BUCKEYES FACED VIRGINIA TECH

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When Ed Warinner was asked Monday if he could put into words just how far Ohio State had come up front in the 12 months since it last faced Virginia Tech, the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator and offensive line coach flashed a wry smile and let out a brief chuckle before giving his answer.

“About 12 months more experienced, 12 months more of being together,” Warinner said. “Obviously, they’re a mature group, very close group, a very veteran, weathered group that’s gone through a season like we had last year — finishing strong, playing well at the end of the year.”

It seems as if it’s a little more complex than that, though, because Ohio State’s improvement throughout the course of the 2014 season was somewhat remarkable.

The Buckeyes were embarrassed on that September evening at Ohio Stadium. They were underprepared and were out-coached by a Virginia Tech team which simply was the better side that night.

Particularly, though, the Buckeyes were beat up front. The Hokies sacked Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett a total of seven times as their 46 Bear defense stifled the redshirt freshman signal caller. Barrett was harassed all evening and completed just nine of his 29 pass attempts. Star running back Ezekiel Elliott gained just 32 yards on eight carries. Ohio State couldn't get anything done offensively.

“I THINK CONFIDENCE WAS EVERYTHING. I JUST THINK WE HAD TO GET SOME CONFIDENCE BECAUSE THE TALENT WAS ALWAYS THERE. I THINK IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF GUYS HAVING THE CONFIDENCE THAT THEY CAN GO OUT THERE AND EXECUTE THEIR JOBS.”– TAYLOR DECKER

“We didn’t play well up front, but it’s not like we played awful,” Ohio State left tackle Taylor Decker said at Big Ten Media Days in July. “A lot of times it was, they were sending six and we only had five guys blocking or they’d send seven and we’d have six.”

Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...t-spot-than-it-was-the-last-time-the-buckeyes
 
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