When I was trying to google the answer, I found a few places that said it was expected that OSU would be more ready next year, so I thought that was the case.
The thinking prior to this season here in Alabama was that this year was a reloading year and next year would be a title hunt year, just like you guys.
We very well may get to do this all again next year!
Recruiting slid down the stretch with tressel.
08 & 09 - first time JT reeled in national rock stars. End result was a lot more busts.
10 & 11 - many recruiting misses and an explosion of attrition.
12 - tatgate, jt fired. Osu was toxic to nearly all decent recruits. The class was a disaster before urban landed 3 five stars, solidified another and brought in other talent. It was a late scramble so naturally there were some reaches or gambles that did not pay off.
13 - outstanding class, so many high level recruits who are already starting or contributing. Barrett , Elliott, Marshall, Smith, Wilson, Price, Lee, Apple, Conley, Burrows, plus two monster coups in Bosa and Vonn Bell.
14 - Another strong class of quality four stars, with the only five star redshirting but making huge waves in practice.
They were supposed to be a year away for a few reasons:
1) the defense was horrendous the last two years. Some of that was talent, some was scheme, some was development. You can't fix talent overnight, especially without the depth to provide options and competition. The scheme is vastly improved with our new DC and they have turned around the defense but they are still far from where they need to be.
2) the offense was run centric and lost virtually everyone. Braxton, 4 OL (3 starting in NFL as rookies) and Hyde plus a pretty solid WR in Brown.
3) the replacements were not experienced, if they had even played. The OL is a Hodge podge of low ranked kids or position switches outside of Decker. No one should have reasonably expected them to gel this quickly.
4) the depth simply isn't there yet. They only have one other legitimate option at DT behind the starters and none are a true fit at the 1 tech . They may finally have some depth at LB next year (this year is an improvement because they have 4 decent guys, there were multiple consecutive seasons with only 1 useful lb. This is the first time they have a real hback (Marshall ). Wilson played last year but was lost and scrawny. Overall they have added a strong crop of young talent but are essentially two classes into building a roster (with a few late additions in 2012 by urban and some sleepers playing well from the previous signees)
