3 keys to 2013

[ScriptOhio]

I really think Brax, the O-line, and LBers will be just fine.

For me it is more consistent play from:

1) the WRs (a lot fewer dropped passes)
2) DL pass rushers (more pressure in their QB)
3) the special teams (get a few big plays and don't give up any)

Nobody has mentioned it (including me); but the real key to a successful 2013 season is keeping everyone on the field. On paper with the returning players and incoming freshman Ohio State should be the favorite in every game played, which should mean an undefeated season and a trip to the National Championship game. But everyone needs to maintain their eligibility* and stay injury free.

* needless to say in 2011 we saw what happened when several players were ruled ineligible.

 

[OHSportsFan]

Mine;

1) Show up..........The schedule is ridiculously soft
2) Miller's passing improvement and the influx of play makers are the same concept to me.
3) Outscore teams until the defense can come along (did I mention the softer than Brady Hoke's back fat schedule that will allow for this?)

To steal from Corso, my biggest "not so fast my friend" is the defense. I don't think the majority of folks I see posting about 2013 are giving enough consideration to how entirely possible a complete monkey fucking a football fiasco is on that side of the field next year.

1) Defense: Jax said it well enough, but to me this is the #1 thing. If I had to narrow it down, I would say they HAVE to find a solid MLB.

2) Improve during the week: ...because the schedule is so soft you cannot improve on Saturday. You can't sharpen steel with butter. For this team to be ready for a BCS game, and very possibly the NC game, they need to get better each week against each other and stay motivated while not being challenged on Saturdays. This is especially true for the defense (see #1). They cannot allow themselves to be satisfied with their performances on Saturdays. They need to judge themselves only by how they do against Braxton & co.

3) Win when you play badly: The week will come when a lesser team hangs around into the 4th qtr because the Buckeyes are unfocused. They need to find a way to win anyway.

I know..."putting the cart before the horse," but screw it, I'll go ahead and say it-

Only key for me is January 6, 2014.

It's going to be about preparing themselves to be their best on that day.

 

[TDunk]

1. Oline staying healthy. No depth means this group needs to be available throughout the entire season.

2. Developing the front seven to be a force. Reinvigorate the DL and develop the LB's to destroy the opposing offenses. The talent is there, just need to harness it on the field.

3. Play-calling. Now that this coaching staff has an understanding of what it is capable of (and not), make the proper calls and see the results on the field. I thought the staff had higher expectations for what it was capable of (hence the 3-and-outs) than what they could execute on the field. And finding places for the new recruits, so they can make this offense even more potent.

1 and 2 really dictate how this season will play out. 3 is more for my enjoyment after the Tressel-ball era.

 

[RB07OSU]

I keep seeing OL listed but I'm not sure our depth is that bad this year (next year it might be though). We have 4 seniors...Norwell or Hall can move to RT and we likely do not miss a beat. Decker will likely play RT but to me is the heir apparent at LT and could play there if (God forbid) something happened to Mewhort.

As for our 2nd string, I truly think we have some talent. If Dodson is healthy at tackle, there is no ceiling on how good he can be at tackle. Coaches were impressed with Farris at guard and should be able to step in and play well. Jacoby Boren wowed the coaches at center and should have put on some more mass. Tommy Brown and Darryl Baldwin have potential that they hopefully start realizing. We add three freshman OL with Munger, Lisle, and Gardner. And finally we at have another scholarship OL in Elflein. The only real big hit in my eyes was O'Connor leaving.

Granted much of these guys are unproven and we really want our starters to be healthy, it isn't going to be often that your backup OL have much significant experience (though Underwood does when he had to start at RT). Of course it would be a downgrade but that is true at any position. I think OL depth was a much bigger concern last year and will be in 2014. But now our 2 deep has had time to adjust to a new position (Baldwin and Farris), plus the freshies have had time to learn the system and get their bodies college ready (Decker, Dodson, Boren, and Elflein). I don't think one or two injuries would completely derail us and I aniticipate the staff preparing our two-deep for action in case. And on that note, 3+ injuries would significantly hinder any offense. Simply put, I think we'll have a guy or two that can step in if we have a couple injuries. It would also be nice if Patchan decides to come here at the tackle spot.

 

[MONTbigBuck]

I keep seeing OL listed but I'm not sure our depth is that bad this year (next year it might be though). We have 4 seniors...Norwell or Hall can move to RT and we likely do not miss a beat. Decker will likely play RT but to me is the heir apparent at LT and could play there if (God forbid) something happened to Mewhort.

As for our 2nd string, I truly think we have some talent. If Dodson is healthy at tackle, there is no ceiling on how good he can be at tackle. Coaches were impressed with Farris at guard and should be able to step in and play well. Jacoby Boren wowed the coaches at center and should have put on some more mass. Tommy Brown and Darryl Baldwin have potential that they hopefully start realizing. We add three freshman OL with Munger, Lisle, and Gardner. And finally we at have another scholarship OL in Elflein. The only real big hit in my eyes was O'Connor leaving.

Granted much of these guys are unproven and we really want our starters to be healthy, it isn't going to be often that your backup OL have much significant experience (though Underwood does when he had to start at RT). Of course it would be a downgrade but that is true at any position. I think OL depth was a much bigger concern last year and will be in 2014. But now our 2 deep has had time to adjust to a new position (Baldwin and Farris), plus the freshies have had time to learn the system and get their bodies college ready (Decker, Dodson, Boren, and Elflein). I don't think one or two injuries would completely derail us and I aniticipate the staff preparing our two-deep for action in case. And on that note, 3+ injuries would significantly hinder any offense. Simply put, I think we'll have a guy or two that can step in if we have a couple injuries. It would also be nice if Patchan decides to come here at the tackle spot.

I think I saw somewhere that Patchen had decided on BC. One thing that I am hopeful for is some big leads early in the year. It would be very beneficial for later in the year and '14 if much of the bench could get some experience.

 

[OSUK]

There have been several comments about the defense and their ability to shut people down. The Tressel era showed us that a stout defense combined with a conservative offense and a solid kicking game can win you a lot of games. But most of us were frustrated to the end of patience with that.

Well, we have a new philosophy on offense. It will attack - and the idea is to score quickly. They weren't able to implement the hurry-up attack consistently this past year, but they lined up quickly. Regardless, you run more plays with this offense, and you either score quickly or are punting quickly. As a result, the defense is on the field more, and as a result they tire, and as a result they give up more yardage and scores. If you want a shut down defense and a dynamic offense, you are asking for a team to be what few teams have ever been - quick strike offense with a defense that gives up next to nothing.

In general, if you want a dynamic offense, you will have to accept a defense that will give up yardage and points. If you want the opposite, we should re-hire the great Jim Tressel. Otherwise, we need to accept that, sometimes, we are going to have to win a game 52-38.

 

[leroyjenkins]

In general, if you want a dynamic offense, you will have to accept a defense that will give up yardage and points. If you want the opposite, we should re-hire the great Jim Tressel. Otherwise, we need to accept that, sometimes, we are going to have to win a game 52-38.

When Meyer gets all of his defensive pieces in place, I dont think anyone will score 38 against the Silver Bullets.

 

[OSUK]

I hear you, I just don't think the 40+ppg offense and the 10 ppg defense comes along in CFB very often.

You can have good things happen like scoring on the 2nd play after the opening kickoff, returning kicks for TD's, and or having a defensive score that keeps your defense on the field. And I observed that the general trend is that the longer the defense is on the field, the more vulnerable they become.

I also think there is a mental thing going on. If you know your offense can score points in bunches quickly, the urgency to stop the other offense is not as great. But if you know that every score you give up is going to be hard to get back on the other side of the ball, the focus is different. I'm not sure you can get away from that dynamic.

If you are two deep in the defensive front seven - and there is no drop off when the 2nd level guys are playing - then you can still have a very good defense with an aggressive offense. It's just hard to find 14 guys on the same team of that quality in terms of talent and experience. I see that Urban is building his defense in that direction, but it might take a few more recruiting classes and seasons for him to get the combination of talent and experience he will need. In the meantime, on occasion, the offense will need to score a ton to win a shootout.

 

[smithlabs]

I hear you, I just don't think the 40+ppg offense and the 10 ppg defense comes along in CFB very often.

You can have good things happen like scoring on the 2nd play after the opening kickoff, returning kicks for TD's, and or having a defensive score that keeps your defense on the field. And I observed that the general trend is that the longer the defense is on the field, the more vulnerable they become.

I also think there is a mental thing going on. If you know your offense can score points in bunches quickly, the urgency to stop the other offense is not as great. But if you know that every score you give up is going to be hard to get back on the other side of the ball, the focus is different. I'm not sure you can get away from that dynamic.

If you are two deep in the defensive front seven - and there is no drop off when the 2nd level guys are playing - then you can still have a very good defense with an aggressive offense. It's just hard to find 14 guys on the same team of that quality in terms of talent and experience. I see that Urban is building his defense in that direction, but it might take a few more recruiting classes and seasons for him to get the combination of talent and experience he will need. In the meantime, on occasion, the offense will need to score a ton to win a shootout.

As opposed to in the future where we will have to score less to win a shootout.

 

[Yertle]

3 keys to 2013:

1. Win every game
2. Fuck Michigan

Wow, I'm talented. I got my 3 keys to the season summed up in just 2 points.

Suck it, Hoke.

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

3 keys to 2013:

1. Win every game
2. [censored] Michigan

Wow, I'm talented. I got my 3 keys to the season summed up in just 2 points.

Suck it, Hoke.

Watch what you ask for...

 

[OSUK]

As opposed to in the future where we will have to score less to win a shootout.

Touche. :)

I'll add another key: overcoming the schedule.

I could write Mark May's (otherwise know as shit) Q cards for what he we say before and during the season (assuming that piece of shit can read): "They don't play anyone! Their non-con is a joke and their BIG schedule is a joke."

The joke is Mark May, but there will be some there there.

 

[Steve19]

1. Offensive line. Need to give Miller time and to open holes for the running game.

2. Defensive line. Need to get pressure on opponent quarterbacks this year. I assume that the defensive secondary will be better this year.

3. Running attack. Ohio State is blessed with great backs, but they really need to establish a credible threat in every game this year.

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

1). Middle of the defense. I'm not going to worry about the pass rush because the speed and talent is evident (imagine 3rd and long with Spence and Miller on the edge, and Bennett and Washington inside). It's MLB, the NT, where Tommy has the talent, but guys before him (Denlinger, Goebel, Penton...etc) tend to make the leap in their JR year, and at the 3 technique where there's question about Bennett's size.

2). Star position. As evidenced by the Purdue game, a good defense can look silly against a very average team if it doesn't have the right guy at Star. I think Devon Bogard is going to have every chance to win the spot, but if not, I'd peg Vonn Bell there because the guy knows how to find the ball.

3). Health.

What I'm not worried about :

1). Miller progression.
2). Punting.
3). The offense in general

 

[LitlBuck]

Urban talks about 2013 punting by Brandon Castel of theozone

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Urban Meyer smiled as soon as he heard the question.

Very rarely does the punter become a major topic of conversation for the head coach of a football program coming off a 12-0 season. Except Ohio State doesn't’ have one at the moment, at least not a scholarship guy who came to Columbus to fill that role when Ben Buchanan graduated.

“We probably won't,” Meyer jested when asked about the punting situation at Ohio State heading into spring practice.

“We will punt, by the way,” clarified after his initial comment drew a large applause from the crowd aboard the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer on Sunday.

“Our punting situation is Drew Basil is going to be a our starting punter. Frank Epitropoulos is also going to get a shot. Other than that, we’re struggling.”

more
http://www.theozone.net/football/2013/SpringFootball/MeyerOnPunting.html