WVaBuckeye
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TBBC Awards: Pre-season Edition
WVaBuckeye via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
As a staff, nobody covers certain topics better than us here at the Buckeye Battle Cry, plus we love us some roundtable type stuff where we can bust out the wings and brewskies. Be sure to check in every Monday after a game for our awards and even during the bye week we will pick on some unsuspecting weasels from up north. Let’s get rolling with the heart and soul of this years team (believe it or not). Oh and please read Brandon’s first because the majority of us agree with what he says.
Offensive
tOSU Offensive MVP
Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) receives congratulations from offensive lineman Pat Elflein (65) in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
MDotySr – The obvious answer is JT Barrett with his experience and no one looking over his shoulder equals BIG year.
Scott – JT Barrett
WVa – This was honestly a toss-up for me until listening to Urban Meyer gush about JT. Not that he needed to but it is apparent that this team will be put on his shoulders until there comes a time that all weapons are firing the way he likes. No offense to Weber, but i think the days of one feature back(Carlos and Ezekiel) are gone and the way he has always spread the ball is finally here. The “distributor” will have the power and ability to make that indefensible.
Joe D. – If the Ohio State offensive staff allows Barrett to have freedom in the Redzone, this offense could be the most dangerous in the country. Barrett finished second in the country in red zone completion percentage in 2015. The only problem is that he only had 15 passing attempts throughout the season. In 2014, he was a red-shirt freshman stepping into a high-power last year. In 2015, the offensive staff realized his value as a rusher in the redzone. This year, if he is given the opportunity to expand his game on the field, he could be a heisman finalist.
Ben V. – JT Barrett – Let’s move past last year and focus on this year. Barrett has free reign over the offense and a ton of weapons at his disposal. I expect him to shine in the offense this year, and he will make the read option flow like a river on a crisp fall day. Expect a 2500/1000 season from him with 40+ touchdowns if he stays healthy and games are not blow outs.
Brandon – JT Barrett. I think it is easy to forget how special he was as a freshman. We live in a culture where it is “what have you done for me lately” and Barrett really struggled at times last year. He came on strong for the Michigan and Notre Dame game after Warriner moved up to the box and the play-calling changed drastically. On a conservative end, you should be able to expect numbers similar to his freshman year. Realistically, I think he could easily throw for 3,500 yards.
JC – I agree with everyone’s consensus above. JT, no doubt. If he is given the freedom to play his game – look out! I must confess though I am not a fan of either Warinner or Beck but perhaps my novena will be answered this coming year and they will wake up to the reality that these kids are “explosive” – use that!
Shannon – I am going to go with the player that Urban Meyer calls his greatest play-maker, Curtis Samuel. He has waited behind Zeke for running back. Last season he was moved to h-back only to be stuck behind Braxton Miller. This season it is going to be all about the Samuel’s show.
JT Barrett is the ultimate unanimous choice here and should also be a highly rated pre-season Heisman candidate.
tOSU O-line MVP
MDotySr – I’m going with Jamarco Jones. Not much being said about him but I see him as a dominating player that we will be thankful to have back next year as well.
Scott – Pat Elflein
WVa – Pat Elflein is an obvious choice here which is why I will agree with Doty Sr. Jamarco Jones has had to have a great off-season(did) and will need to be the star on that side of the line to protect JT and pave a path. I too am looking forward to him finally being in the mix as one of the best in the B1G.
Joe D. – I’ll take a different route as well, not because I don’t think Pat Elflein will be the MVP of this offensive line. We know though what to expect from him as he moves to center. If the Buckeyes have success in rushing the football, Michael Jordan — the true freshman, is going to have to play at a high level at left guard.
Ben V. – Pat Elflein – The leader on the offensive line. He along with Billy Price are the lone returning starters on this line, and Elflein has been a key cog in this line for a few years now. I expect his move to center to bolster the line, and his ability to call out coverage’s to the rest of the offensive line should help the young guys gel quickly and solidify before we hit the end of the season grind.
Brandon – Pat Elflein. You run down the list of players who signed in February who may have an impact…Nick Bosa, Austin Mack, Michael Jordan…but the biggest get for the Buckeyes after the season was Pat Elflein sticking around for one more year. This guy is the heart and soul of the offensive line. Sure there are young guys everywhere but with Elflein and Barrett at the center of everything, I have no worries. They are both proven leaders and what this team needs.
JC – Pat Elflein … Billy Price could sneak in …. But pre-season I will undoubtedly predict “Big” Pat as the O-Line “King”.
Shannon – I am going to have to agree with some of my great colleagues in saying Pat Elfein. He moves from the guard position to the one responsible for play calling and any adjustments that will need to be made.
Pat Elflein is a pre-season all-B1G and AA and is a pretty good choice here.
tOSU Offensive Unsung
MDotySr – Mikey Weber aka Beast-mode Jr! I look for him to have a big year and put doubters back in their place. He runs mean, has some wiggle and deceptive speed. The Buckeye’s don’t need him to be a workhorse but as the season progresses, that’s what he will be.
WVa – By definition, unsung refers to someone who won’t get any credit for their performance and for me that’s gonna fall squarely on the shoulders of Marcus Baugh. This years star TE will continue the tradition of being an amazing blocker and getting very few passes thrown his way. I am not buying into the notion that they will throw it to him more than the last two/three TE’s(Stoneburner, Heuerman and Vannett). Time will tell, but he will definitely be a hard nosed blocker.
Joe D. – Noah Brown and the reasoning isn’t stat or scoring related. Just being able to have a blocker like him on the edge to start the season is huge. Plus, he’s shown that he can make big plays in fall camp so far. Bouncing back from a major injury like a broken leg is always going to be tough, but Noah Brown is a youngster that returns with the amount of experience needed to excel right away.
Ben v. – Paris Campbell – He is always brought up by Urban Meyer as a guy who is on the verge of breaking out, and this year I think it might happen. With no real returning wide receivers this season, Campbell has a chance to make his mark this season. He flashed a little bit last year before he got hurt, and never really got himself into a groove. I think Meyer and company find a way for him to get more involved in the offense this year and he becomes the unsung hero of this young offense.
Brandon – Dontre Wilson. It is easy to forget about the hype which Wilson came to Ohio State with. He played immediately as a freshman backing up Philly Brown and accumulated 460 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. Additionally, he averaged almost 25 yards a kick return for a total of 523 yards. As a sophomore, Wilson was the starter ahead of Jalin Marshall before he started his battle with the injury bug and racked up 400 yards from scrimmage (10.3 yards per touch), 664 yards in returns (24 yard avg on KR and 9.7 yard avg on PR), and three touchdowns. Wilson is finally healthy again and will remind us all why he was such a coveted prospect. He won’t start but expect to see him play a variety of roles in the offense and really make his name known in the return game.
JC – I like two choices above. Noah Brown and Dontre Wilson. Brown returning from a “massive” injury will be a focus. But as the season progresses I suspect so will his football abilities. Look for him too to be a surprise weapon in Norman. Dontre too will light up the year for the Buckeyes. So – in conclusion – I think I will vote for co-unsung s’.
Shannon – Greg Studrawa. The new offensive line coach is thrown to the fire. Having to replace three of the five starters on the line isn’t an easy task. Ohio State is planning on throwing a lot more this season which means better protection for J.T. Barrett.
This one is literally too close to call even though Dontre gets the most(2) votes.
Defensive
tOSU Defensive MVP
Sam Hubbard and Tyquan Lewis will need to step up in the absence of Joey Bosa.
MDotySr – Tyquan Lewis/Sam Hubbard is going to have a big years and probably will be their last in a Buckeye Uniforms. Their combined size, power and quickness will be on full display and you can’t double team them both!!! Great problem for the Buckeyes.
Scott – Nick Bosa
WVa – There are four players tat will compete for this honor this season, Tyquan Lewis, Sam Hubbard, Gareon Conley, Nick Bosa(4) and then the guy that will walk away with it in Raekwon McMillan. There is nobody on this roster with the skill level and raw physical talent of him. I myself would like to see them give him some touches at RB just to shut-up the TTUN fans about their two-way athlete. Faster than Shazier and a better nose for where the ball will end up. The defense needs him to be him this season!
Joe D. – I think Raekwon McMillan is the MVP of this defense, but the most valuable player in game situations will be Gareon Conley. His hand positioning is some of the best you’ll see in college football this year and while everyone is talking about two kids up north as the best defensive backs outside of Desmond King in the B1G — look no further than Conley to be the shutdown pass disrupter that helps carry this defense to a level that meets Ohio State standard.
Ben v – Tyquan Lewis – Everyone will pick McMillan here, but I think the man of the year will be Tyquan Lewis. Everyone focused on Joey Bosa last year and Lewis had a great season with 14 TFL and 8 sacks which were both top 10 in the Big Ten. I expect him to get a lot of attention from the opposing team’s coaching staffs, but with his constantly running motor, expect a similar season out of him this year. This is his audition for the NFL year, as I don’t see him coming back next season with a solid effort this year.
Brandon – Raekwon McMillan. In two years at Ohio State, with only one starting, McMillan has accumulated 173 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, four sacks, and one interception. To put how impressive this is in perspective, the man he took over four, Curtis Grant, had 132 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, three sacks, and one interception in four years. The Buckeyes desperately needed a middle linebacker who could dominate the game and they got this with McMillan. Everyone should take their time and enjoy watching him this year because chances are he will not be back next year.
JC – is this a trick question? Raekwon will dominate. The Big Ten is becoming better of late – because of Urban (let’s be real!) – but Raekwon is already NFL-ready. He will put on a clinic year.
Shannon – Gareon Conley. He is going to be the heart and soul of a rebuilding secondary. Conley will be creating a No Fly Zone on whoever he is guarding. With him being named a captain for the 2016 team this means being the leader of the rebuilt secondary, he will be showing the others how to play the “right” way.
Raekwonza is the winner here although there is a sentiment for a few others.
tOSU D-line MVP
MDotySr – Tyquan/Hubbard – see above!! Go Bucks.
Scott – Nick Bosa
WVa – Sam Hubbard made an impact last season when he wasn’t really expected to. Imagine what he is going to do as the leader of this D-line? I am like everyone else in being a huge #6 fan right now. He will be hard to stop and I believe he is just a little more fundamentally sound than Bosa was.
Joe D. – I’m with Brandon. I truly believe that you could move Hubbard to safety tomorrow and he’d still have a major impact on this defense. His versatility is so valuable — even on the defensive line. I would not be surprised if we see him and Tyquan Lewis line up in three technique a couple plays per game just to scare the living bejebus out of opposing offensive coordinators and their quarterbacks.
Ben v – Tyquan Lewis – See Above
Brandon – Sam Hubbard. I have been shouting from the rooftops how much I really like Sam Hubbard. He is so explosive and athletic that most offensive tackles are going to struggle to contain him. With Lewis on the other side and a more aggressive DT bunch this year, I believe Hubbard will easily have 10 sacks this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has 2-3 sacks versus Bowling Green and Tulsa to start the season before teams realize they have to give him the Joey Bosa treatment.
JC – Yep! Brandon & Joe D. are on target! Sam Hubbard is the man on the D-line. Nick Bosa will be in time. Not this year though. Tyquan too is looking as if he is ready for the NFL come seasons’ end. These two, indeed are the D-line MVP’s.
Shannon- I am gonna say Tracy Sprinkle because of the reasons Joe mentioned and I have a thing about Lorain County kids repping on the Buckeyes.
Sam Hubbard gets the nod but there’s a wide range of possibilities this season like having the bejebus knocked out of someone.
tOSU Defensive Unsung
MDotySr – Damon Webb (Lattimore with the Honorable Mention). I really think he breaks out big and a big thanks to Coach Schiano here. Not only will he help with run support but also possess excellent cover skills.
Scott – Sam Hubbard
WVa – Malik Hooker just has a name that you are sure will be around the ball. He has some of the intangibles that Bell brought the last two seasons and loves to hit. I think the presence of Gareon Conley makes it possible he stays under the radar for a little while.
Joe D. – Tracy Sprinkle and Michael Hill are going to help drastically improve the interior run defense. It wasn’t horrible last season, but at times the line was too aggressive off the snap and left the interior running lanes wide open. These two will help change that in 2016 by just being the aggressive players they are, with a little bit more discipline at staying home.
Ben v. – Malik Hooker – The defensive backfield is missing a lot from last year in Vonn Bell and Eli Apple, and they need someone to step up and fill those shoes. Malik Hooker has had the word star written about him since he was a kid in high school in Pennsylvania. I expect him to start at Safety and make a huge impact on the defense this season.
Brandon – Marshon Lattimore. With all of his injuries, it is very easy to forget how talented and highly regarded Lattimore was coming out of high school. This young man was the 6th rated corner-back and had offers from everyone from Alabama to Michigan to USC. He was a big time get. He quickly worked his way up the depth chart but has had lingering hamstring issues. He appears to be finally healthy and ready to start opposite of Gareon Conley. At 6’0”, Lattimore has the size to dominate B1G wide receivers as long as he stays healthy. He and Conley will form one of the best combos at the corner-back position.
JC – I like Ben’s answer. Malik Hooker is ready to step in and play at this level. I have read a lot on him and will be completely surprised if he does not answer the call-to-duty. He will shine at safety and watch as the season progresses and the Badgers, Spartans, and Wolverines line up against the Buckeyes – Malik will show the world that his “young-self” is ready for prime-time!
Shannon – It is the Silver Bullets is can there really be any unsung players?
Malik Hooker and Marshon Lattimore are two players that will fly under the radar for a little while.
Odds and Ends
tOSU Special Teams MVP
MDotySr – I have to agree with Brandon here and it’s not even close.
Scott – Cam Johnston
WVa – Dontre Wilson will need this season and this season will need Dontre Wilson on special teams. His ability to make separation will be key. He has an insane next level and may give us some excitement we haven’t seen in these parts since TG2
Joe D. – I defer my words to those that have a better feel for the third phase of the game. All I’ll say is AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!
Ben v – Cam Johnston – Field position, field position, field position. This kid can drop the ball on a dime inside the 5 yard line with little to no effort. With the amount of emphasis that is put on special teams by Urban Meyer coached teams, Johnston is a key cog in that effort with his knack for pinning opponents inside their 20. As long as we are winning the field position battle, I like our chances in every game this season.
Brandon – Dontre Wilson. As I mentioned above, Wilson will be a major part of the return game for the Buckeyes. Over the years he seemed like he was always one arm tackle away from breaking a big one for a return. As an undersized speedster, Wilson has accumulated 1,354 return yards without a touchdown. Wilson came to Ohio State listed at 180 generous pounds…last year he was at 185…he is now up to 195. If he maintains his speed and explosiveness, along with that extra 15 pounds, his return skills will be highlighted even more.
JC – Dontre Wilson and the return game. His speed and strength is Buckeyes Football. There is no exception – he’ll be out if he can’t deliver. Everything I have seen about this kid is that he is hungry. He is prepared. Do not expect anything less of a proficient and dynamic returner in Scarlet and Gray – and this year his name will be Dontre Wilson.
Shannon – Cam Johnston for the above mentioned reasons.
Special teams will live and die with Dontre Wilson.
tOSU Needs Improvement
Scott – Special teams coverage
WVa – I struggled with having an item to put here but am also worried about the scoring efficiency in the red zone like Joe. Without Ezekiel Elliott this season and no proven H-back as of yet, they may need to score before getting inside the 20! This may not be that much of a problem this season if the offense gets rolling, but it is definitely a big concern.
Joe D. – Scoring efficiency in the redzone. Over the last two seasons, the Buckeyes haven’t finished in the top 40 in this category. Last year, they finished 81st in scoring percentage. That’s an unfortunate number, even with the likes of Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield the last two seasons. Part of the issue is scoring on field goals and being able to trust your kicker to ma
Ben v. – Linebackers minus McMillan – I am a little worried about the inexperience of the linebackers minus McMillan. Projected starters are Chris Worley and Dante Booker who are both juniors, but have not had a lot of playing time up until this season. I know that Luke Fickell and Greg Schiano will have them coached up and ready to go, and luckily we have a couple of games to get them acclimated before we head to Norman for the big game against Oklahoma. I hope that they can come into their own and surround Raekwon with solid tackling and coverage. There will be a drop off without Darron Lee out there roaming around, but let’s hope it’s less than noticeable.
Brandon – Field Goal kicking. The job is Sean Nuernberger’s for the taking but I can’t say with any confidence that I would be okay with a game on the line and him having to hit a 30 yarder. He was supposed to be the starter last year but was beat out by a walk-on kickoff specialist from Duke; Jack Willoughby. Willoughby was not able to win the full-time kicking job at Duke but he was able to beat a scholarship kicker at Ohio State. That just shouldn’t happen. After winning the job back, Nuernberger went three of four with a long of 38 yards. The coaching staff does not appear to have much faith in the kicking game either only attempting 15 field goals last year and only three longer than 40 yards. All reports from the very few media practices is the field goal kicking game is still a mess. With a young team, there is going to be a time where they need Nuernberger to to nail a field goal to win and hopefully he can.
JC – Call playing. This team has enormous promise. The whole world has them losing in Norman – along with a stumble either against the Badgers, Spartans, or Wolverines. With that in mind – why not open up and challenge your talent. Play football as if it is fun ….
Shannon- Secondary and linebacker units. The first few games they will be getting their feet under them but by the end of the season they can become the strengths of the team.
Seems to be a lot of concern with the linebackers unit and the defense altogether.
tOSU Next Big Star
MDotySr – Austin Mack. He enrolled early got reps and has loads of talent. The only problem is how many good receivers the Buckeyes have on the roster which will limit his touches but I see him making the most of his chances.
Scott – Mike Weber
WVa – Since he never has really had his moment under the spotlight, I am going with Noah Brown here. All indications are that he is back where he was last season and according to Urban Meyer, he was neck and neck with Mike Thomas a year ago at this point. I have always been excited about him and think he will be the star of this offense next after JT Barrett.
Joe D. – Austin Mack is going to be a dangerous weapon for J.T. Barrett in the slot. The freshman — who enrolled before spring camp — had an excellent spring and fall, becoming the fastest player to lose his Black Stripe in March. He has all the physical tools to be a great wide receiver in the future. What makes him so valuable in 2016 is his hand-eye coordination and ability to make plays in the middle of the field.
Ben v. – Mike Weber – Merely a red-shirt freshman, he has been thrust into the spotlight early with the departure of Brionte Dunn from the team. Weber will get the ball 20+ times a game this season and will fill in nicely for Zeke Elliott. While I don’t think we will get the blocking like we did from Elliott, I feel the drop-off in the run game that everyone is expecting will not be that bad. Weber is a power runner and should be a fun one to watch grow over the next few seasons.
Brandon – Malik Hooker. I was not a huge fan of Hooker going into spring but he has won me over. I heard over and over about his athleticism and big play ability but I had never seen it. Two interceptions and a touchdown later and I am sold. Add this in with all the picks you saw him getting during the practice videos released during the fall camp and I think we have a star in the making.
JC – The Buckeyes are loaded. It’s rather difficult to narrow a future star down to one. I am going to say this team has the potential to being the 1996 New York Yankees with Jeter, Posada, Rivera, Williams, and Pettitte. So with that said – I will say Weber, Mack, and Hooker will all shine and be the next big names in Columbus.
Shannon – Jim Harbaugh since he will have to learn a new side of coaching, humility. Who has it better than us? Scarlet and Gray do coach thats who!!
Looks like a draw between Mike Weber and Malik Hooker.
tOSU Assistant Coach MVP
MDotySr – Very tough question here. Went back and forth between Marotti and Schiano with them being Co-MVP’s. The proving point will be week 2 (Tulsa scores a lot of points) and more importantly week 3 in Norman. Schiano was a great hire even if he is only here for one year, it was well worth it to me. On a side note, how the hell is Coach Marotti paid less that Iowa’s S&C Coach Chris Doyle by more than $205,000 annually????? Well you can bet Coach Mick will be getting an increase by next season.
Scott – Larry Johnson
WVa – I think for the situation the offense is in now compared to the end of the season last year, Greg Studrawa will become that guy. I believe the play calling will improve and the test would be to improve o-line play with a new coach and improving on what Warriner has done will be next to impossible. Stud will get it done.
Joe D. – Joker Phillips as a volunteer will turn this program into a savagery offense like he did at Kentucky. I mean, Greg Studrawa will be the MVP of this season after seamlessly making the transition from LSU and continuing what Ed Warinner has done as the offensive line coach. Especially if true freshman Michael Jordan blossoms into the guard the coaching staff expects will start throughout the 2016 season.
Ben v. – Luke Fickell – He will be the MVP of the team if he is able to coach up the defense and get the linebackers playing at the level they are capable of. Like I said above I have some concerns about the inexperience of the linebackers, and if he is able to get them playing at an elite level early, then he more than earns the MVP this season.
Brandon – Larry Johnson. Everyone talks about the Michigan defensive line but I think in the end the Buckeyes will have the most dominant defensive line they have seen in a long time. They have four guys at defensive end who could start at almost any place in the country (Lewis, Hubbard, Bosa, and Homes) and some defensive tackles waiting to explode on the scene. Johnson is a master motivator and by the end of the season, the Buckeyes will be rotating 12 guys and causing a bunch of havoc on quarterbacks.
JC – I love Larry Johnson. He is motivational heaven. He could sell me a box of Twinkies during Lent. This guy will be the face of another program elsewhere rather soon. Let’s just hope it isn’t in the Big Ten.
Shannon – As I have stated earlier Greg Studrawa.
Greg Studrawa has the call here but it’s close over Larry Johnson.
TB1G Coach of the Year
MDotySr – I really think Lovie Smith (great hire for them and the B1G) gets enough improvement out of the Illinois to win the award though I would not be surprised if Mike Riley to win it either.
Scott – Pat Fitzgerald
WVa – I am with Scott. Fitz does more with less better than anybody in the B1G. I think Lovie Smith brings a lot to the conference and will improve things in Illinois but he won’t get any of what Fitz is getting.
Joe D. – HEY KIRK FERENTZ, YOU HAD A NICE YEAR AND I’M GOING TO LET YOU FINISH, BUT URBAN MEYER IS THE GREATEST COACH IN AMERICA. (Storms off stage and throws what has become the biggest joke of an award in the trash)
Ben v. – Urban Meyer – You lose 12 guys to the NFL draft, plus a few more undrafted kids and you still win the Big Ten? How can he not win it this year? I mean really? So yeah he probably won’t win again.
Brandon – Not Urban Meyer. I’m not sure who it will be but as we all know Ohio State coaches can not win. If I have to pick a name, I think it will be Mike Riley at Nebraska. I have them finishing the year 9-3 and second place in the B1G West. They had horrible luck last year and bring back a lot of talent. I could easily see them doing even better than I predicted and finishing 11-1 with a big last weekend win against Iowa to propel them to the B1G Championship.
JC – Urban Meyer. The League will want to pick someone else like Kirk Ferentz, or Lovie Smith, or even the troubled tree-climber up north. But at the end of the day they will have no choice. Urban Meyer is great. Plain and simple.
Shannon – Any Big Ten coach that isn’t on the same sideline of the Buckeyes. We know after winning two national championships not a single coach has been COY since Jimmy Carter was in office. Biased? You tell me why a coach can go undefeated and not win the award. Explain to me why Minnesota’s Jerry Kill won the award for having a one or two game turnaround and Urban did what he did.
Doing a coin toss here and Fitz wins!
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WVaBuckeye via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
As a staff, nobody covers certain topics better than us here at the Buckeye Battle Cry, plus we love us some roundtable type stuff where we can bust out the wings and brewskies. Be sure to check in every Monday after a game for our awards and even during the bye week we will pick on some unsuspecting weasels from up north. Let’s get rolling with the heart and soul of this years team (believe it or not). Oh and please read Brandon’s first because the majority of us agree with what he says.
Offensive
tOSU Offensive MVP
Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) receives congratulations from offensive lineman Pat Elflein (65) in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
MDotySr – The obvious answer is JT Barrett with his experience and no one looking over his shoulder equals BIG year.
Scott – JT Barrett
WVa – This was honestly a toss-up for me until listening to Urban Meyer gush about JT. Not that he needed to but it is apparent that this team will be put on his shoulders until there comes a time that all weapons are firing the way he likes. No offense to Weber, but i think the days of one feature back(Carlos and Ezekiel) are gone and the way he has always spread the ball is finally here. The “distributor” will have the power and ability to make that indefensible.
Joe D. – If the Ohio State offensive staff allows Barrett to have freedom in the Redzone, this offense could be the most dangerous in the country. Barrett finished second in the country in red zone completion percentage in 2015. The only problem is that he only had 15 passing attempts throughout the season. In 2014, he was a red-shirt freshman stepping into a high-power last year. In 2015, the offensive staff realized his value as a rusher in the redzone. This year, if he is given the opportunity to expand his game on the field, he could be a heisman finalist.
Ben V. – JT Barrett – Let’s move past last year and focus on this year. Barrett has free reign over the offense and a ton of weapons at his disposal. I expect him to shine in the offense this year, and he will make the read option flow like a river on a crisp fall day. Expect a 2500/1000 season from him with 40+ touchdowns if he stays healthy and games are not blow outs.
Brandon – JT Barrett. I think it is easy to forget how special he was as a freshman. We live in a culture where it is “what have you done for me lately” and Barrett really struggled at times last year. He came on strong for the Michigan and Notre Dame game after Warriner moved up to the box and the play-calling changed drastically. On a conservative end, you should be able to expect numbers similar to his freshman year. Realistically, I think he could easily throw for 3,500 yards.
JC – I agree with everyone’s consensus above. JT, no doubt. If he is given the freedom to play his game – look out! I must confess though I am not a fan of either Warinner or Beck but perhaps my novena will be answered this coming year and they will wake up to the reality that these kids are “explosive” – use that!
Shannon – I am going to go with the player that Urban Meyer calls his greatest play-maker, Curtis Samuel. He has waited behind Zeke for running back. Last season he was moved to h-back only to be stuck behind Braxton Miller. This season it is going to be all about the Samuel’s show.
JT Barrett is the ultimate unanimous choice here and should also be a highly rated pre-season Heisman candidate.
tOSU O-line MVP
MDotySr – I’m going with Jamarco Jones. Not much being said about him but I see him as a dominating player that we will be thankful to have back next year as well.
Scott – Pat Elflein
WVa – Pat Elflein is an obvious choice here which is why I will agree with Doty Sr. Jamarco Jones has had to have a great off-season(did) and will need to be the star on that side of the line to protect JT and pave a path. I too am looking forward to him finally being in the mix as one of the best in the B1G.
Joe D. – I’ll take a different route as well, not because I don’t think Pat Elflein will be the MVP of this offensive line. We know though what to expect from him as he moves to center. If the Buckeyes have success in rushing the football, Michael Jordan — the true freshman, is going to have to play at a high level at left guard.
Ben V. – Pat Elflein – The leader on the offensive line. He along with Billy Price are the lone returning starters on this line, and Elflein has been a key cog in this line for a few years now. I expect his move to center to bolster the line, and his ability to call out coverage’s to the rest of the offensive line should help the young guys gel quickly and solidify before we hit the end of the season grind.
Brandon – Pat Elflein. You run down the list of players who signed in February who may have an impact…Nick Bosa, Austin Mack, Michael Jordan…but the biggest get for the Buckeyes after the season was Pat Elflein sticking around for one more year. This guy is the heart and soul of the offensive line. Sure there are young guys everywhere but with Elflein and Barrett at the center of everything, I have no worries. They are both proven leaders and what this team needs.
JC – Pat Elflein … Billy Price could sneak in …. But pre-season I will undoubtedly predict “Big” Pat as the O-Line “King”.
Shannon – I am going to have to agree with some of my great colleagues in saying Pat Elfein. He moves from the guard position to the one responsible for play calling and any adjustments that will need to be made.
Pat Elflein is a pre-season all-B1G and AA and is a pretty good choice here.
tOSU Offensive Unsung
MDotySr – Mikey Weber aka Beast-mode Jr! I look for him to have a big year and put doubters back in their place. He runs mean, has some wiggle and deceptive speed. The Buckeye’s don’t need him to be a workhorse but as the season progresses, that’s what he will be.
WVa – By definition, unsung refers to someone who won’t get any credit for their performance and for me that’s gonna fall squarely on the shoulders of Marcus Baugh. This years star TE will continue the tradition of being an amazing blocker and getting very few passes thrown his way. I am not buying into the notion that they will throw it to him more than the last two/three TE’s(Stoneburner, Heuerman and Vannett). Time will tell, but he will definitely be a hard nosed blocker.
Joe D. – Noah Brown and the reasoning isn’t stat or scoring related. Just being able to have a blocker like him on the edge to start the season is huge. Plus, he’s shown that he can make big plays in fall camp so far. Bouncing back from a major injury like a broken leg is always going to be tough, but Noah Brown is a youngster that returns with the amount of experience needed to excel right away.
Ben v. – Paris Campbell – He is always brought up by Urban Meyer as a guy who is on the verge of breaking out, and this year I think it might happen. With no real returning wide receivers this season, Campbell has a chance to make his mark this season. He flashed a little bit last year before he got hurt, and never really got himself into a groove. I think Meyer and company find a way for him to get more involved in the offense this year and he becomes the unsung hero of this young offense.
Brandon – Dontre Wilson. It is easy to forget about the hype which Wilson came to Ohio State with. He played immediately as a freshman backing up Philly Brown and accumulated 460 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. Additionally, he averaged almost 25 yards a kick return for a total of 523 yards. As a sophomore, Wilson was the starter ahead of Jalin Marshall before he started his battle with the injury bug and racked up 400 yards from scrimmage (10.3 yards per touch), 664 yards in returns (24 yard avg on KR and 9.7 yard avg on PR), and three touchdowns. Wilson is finally healthy again and will remind us all why he was such a coveted prospect. He won’t start but expect to see him play a variety of roles in the offense and really make his name known in the return game.
JC – I like two choices above. Noah Brown and Dontre Wilson. Brown returning from a “massive” injury will be a focus. But as the season progresses I suspect so will his football abilities. Look for him too to be a surprise weapon in Norman. Dontre too will light up the year for the Buckeyes. So – in conclusion – I think I will vote for co-unsung s’.
Shannon – Greg Studrawa. The new offensive line coach is thrown to the fire. Having to replace three of the five starters on the line isn’t an easy task. Ohio State is planning on throwing a lot more this season which means better protection for J.T. Barrett.
This one is literally too close to call even though Dontre gets the most(2) votes.
Defensive
tOSU Defensive MVP
Sam Hubbard and Tyquan Lewis will need to step up in the absence of Joey Bosa.
MDotySr – Tyquan Lewis/Sam Hubbard is going to have a big years and probably will be their last in a Buckeye Uniforms. Their combined size, power and quickness will be on full display and you can’t double team them both!!! Great problem for the Buckeyes.
Scott – Nick Bosa
WVa – There are four players tat will compete for this honor this season, Tyquan Lewis, Sam Hubbard, Gareon Conley, Nick Bosa(4) and then the guy that will walk away with it in Raekwon McMillan. There is nobody on this roster with the skill level and raw physical talent of him. I myself would like to see them give him some touches at RB just to shut-up the TTUN fans about their two-way athlete. Faster than Shazier and a better nose for where the ball will end up. The defense needs him to be him this season!
Joe D. – I think Raekwon McMillan is the MVP of this defense, but the most valuable player in game situations will be Gareon Conley. His hand positioning is some of the best you’ll see in college football this year and while everyone is talking about two kids up north as the best defensive backs outside of Desmond King in the B1G — look no further than Conley to be the shutdown pass disrupter that helps carry this defense to a level that meets Ohio State standard.
Ben v – Tyquan Lewis – Everyone will pick McMillan here, but I think the man of the year will be Tyquan Lewis. Everyone focused on Joey Bosa last year and Lewis had a great season with 14 TFL and 8 sacks which were both top 10 in the Big Ten. I expect him to get a lot of attention from the opposing team’s coaching staffs, but with his constantly running motor, expect a similar season out of him this year. This is his audition for the NFL year, as I don’t see him coming back next season with a solid effort this year.
Brandon – Raekwon McMillan. In two years at Ohio State, with only one starting, McMillan has accumulated 173 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, four sacks, and one interception. To put how impressive this is in perspective, the man he took over four, Curtis Grant, had 132 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, three sacks, and one interception in four years. The Buckeyes desperately needed a middle linebacker who could dominate the game and they got this with McMillan. Everyone should take their time and enjoy watching him this year because chances are he will not be back next year.
JC – is this a trick question? Raekwon will dominate. The Big Ten is becoming better of late – because of Urban (let’s be real!) – but Raekwon is already NFL-ready. He will put on a clinic year.
Shannon – Gareon Conley. He is going to be the heart and soul of a rebuilding secondary. Conley will be creating a No Fly Zone on whoever he is guarding. With him being named a captain for the 2016 team this means being the leader of the rebuilt secondary, he will be showing the others how to play the “right” way.
Raekwonza is the winner here although there is a sentiment for a few others.
tOSU D-line MVP
MDotySr – Tyquan/Hubbard – see above!! Go Bucks.
Scott – Nick Bosa
WVa – Sam Hubbard made an impact last season when he wasn’t really expected to. Imagine what he is going to do as the leader of this D-line? I am like everyone else in being a huge #6 fan right now. He will be hard to stop and I believe he is just a little more fundamentally sound than Bosa was.
Joe D. – I’m with Brandon. I truly believe that you could move Hubbard to safety tomorrow and he’d still have a major impact on this defense. His versatility is so valuable — even on the defensive line. I would not be surprised if we see him and Tyquan Lewis line up in three technique a couple plays per game just to scare the living bejebus out of opposing offensive coordinators and their quarterbacks.
Ben v – Tyquan Lewis – See Above
Brandon – Sam Hubbard. I have been shouting from the rooftops how much I really like Sam Hubbard. He is so explosive and athletic that most offensive tackles are going to struggle to contain him. With Lewis on the other side and a more aggressive DT bunch this year, I believe Hubbard will easily have 10 sacks this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has 2-3 sacks versus Bowling Green and Tulsa to start the season before teams realize they have to give him the Joey Bosa treatment.
JC – Yep! Brandon & Joe D. are on target! Sam Hubbard is the man on the D-line. Nick Bosa will be in time. Not this year though. Tyquan too is looking as if he is ready for the NFL come seasons’ end. These two, indeed are the D-line MVP’s.
Shannon- I am gonna say Tracy Sprinkle because of the reasons Joe mentioned and I have a thing about Lorain County kids repping on the Buckeyes.
Sam Hubbard gets the nod but there’s a wide range of possibilities this season like having the bejebus knocked out of someone.
tOSU Defensive Unsung
MDotySr – Damon Webb (Lattimore with the Honorable Mention). I really think he breaks out big and a big thanks to Coach Schiano here. Not only will he help with run support but also possess excellent cover skills.
Scott – Sam Hubbard
WVa – Malik Hooker just has a name that you are sure will be around the ball. He has some of the intangibles that Bell brought the last two seasons and loves to hit. I think the presence of Gareon Conley makes it possible he stays under the radar for a little while.
Joe D. – Tracy Sprinkle and Michael Hill are going to help drastically improve the interior run defense. It wasn’t horrible last season, but at times the line was too aggressive off the snap and left the interior running lanes wide open. These two will help change that in 2016 by just being the aggressive players they are, with a little bit more discipline at staying home.
Ben v. – Malik Hooker – The defensive backfield is missing a lot from last year in Vonn Bell and Eli Apple, and they need someone to step up and fill those shoes. Malik Hooker has had the word star written about him since he was a kid in high school in Pennsylvania. I expect him to start at Safety and make a huge impact on the defense this season.
Brandon – Marshon Lattimore. With all of his injuries, it is very easy to forget how talented and highly regarded Lattimore was coming out of high school. This young man was the 6th rated corner-back and had offers from everyone from Alabama to Michigan to USC. He was a big time get. He quickly worked his way up the depth chart but has had lingering hamstring issues. He appears to be finally healthy and ready to start opposite of Gareon Conley. At 6’0”, Lattimore has the size to dominate B1G wide receivers as long as he stays healthy. He and Conley will form one of the best combos at the corner-back position.
JC – I like Ben’s answer. Malik Hooker is ready to step in and play at this level. I have read a lot on him and will be completely surprised if he does not answer the call-to-duty. He will shine at safety and watch as the season progresses and the Badgers, Spartans, and Wolverines line up against the Buckeyes – Malik will show the world that his “young-self” is ready for prime-time!
Shannon – It is the Silver Bullets is can there really be any unsung players?
Malik Hooker and Marshon Lattimore are two players that will fly under the radar for a little while.
Odds and Ends
tOSU Special Teams MVP
MDotySr – I have to agree with Brandon here and it’s not even close.
Scott – Cam Johnston
WVa – Dontre Wilson will need this season and this season will need Dontre Wilson on special teams. His ability to make separation will be key. He has an insane next level and may give us some excitement we haven’t seen in these parts since TG2
Joe D. – I defer my words to those that have a better feel for the third phase of the game. All I’ll say is AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!
Ben v – Cam Johnston – Field position, field position, field position. This kid can drop the ball on a dime inside the 5 yard line with little to no effort. With the amount of emphasis that is put on special teams by Urban Meyer coached teams, Johnston is a key cog in that effort with his knack for pinning opponents inside their 20. As long as we are winning the field position battle, I like our chances in every game this season.
Brandon – Dontre Wilson. As I mentioned above, Wilson will be a major part of the return game for the Buckeyes. Over the years he seemed like he was always one arm tackle away from breaking a big one for a return. As an undersized speedster, Wilson has accumulated 1,354 return yards without a touchdown. Wilson came to Ohio State listed at 180 generous pounds…last year he was at 185…he is now up to 195. If he maintains his speed and explosiveness, along with that extra 15 pounds, his return skills will be highlighted even more.
JC – Dontre Wilson and the return game. His speed and strength is Buckeyes Football. There is no exception – he’ll be out if he can’t deliver. Everything I have seen about this kid is that he is hungry. He is prepared. Do not expect anything less of a proficient and dynamic returner in Scarlet and Gray – and this year his name will be Dontre Wilson.
Shannon – Cam Johnston for the above mentioned reasons.
Special teams will live and die with Dontre Wilson.
tOSU Needs Improvement
Scott – Special teams coverage
WVa – I struggled with having an item to put here but am also worried about the scoring efficiency in the red zone like Joe. Without Ezekiel Elliott this season and no proven H-back as of yet, they may need to score before getting inside the 20! This may not be that much of a problem this season if the offense gets rolling, but it is definitely a big concern.
Joe D. – Scoring efficiency in the redzone. Over the last two seasons, the Buckeyes haven’t finished in the top 40 in this category. Last year, they finished 81st in scoring percentage. That’s an unfortunate number, even with the likes of Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield the last two seasons. Part of the issue is scoring on field goals and being able to trust your kicker to ma
Ben v. – Linebackers minus McMillan – I am a little worried about the inexperience of the linebackers minus McMillan. Projected starters are Chris Worley and Dante Booker who are both juniors, but have not had a lot of playing time up until this season. I know that Luke Fickell and Greg Schiano will have them coached up and ready to go, and luckily we have a couple of games to get them acclimated before we head to Norman for the big game against Oklahoma. I hope that they can come into their own and surround Raekwon with solid tackling and coverage. There will be a drop off without Darron Lee out there roaming around, but let’s hope it’s less than noticeable.
Brandon – Field Goal kicking. The job is Sean Nuernberger’s for the taking but I can’t say with any confidence that I would be okay with a game on the line and him having to hit a 30 yarder. He was supposed to be the starter last year but was beat out by a walk-on kickoff specialist from Duke; Jack Willoughby. Willoughby was not able to win the full-time kicking job at Duke but he was able to beat a scholarship kicker at Ohio State. That just shouldn’t happen. After winning the job back, Nuernberger went three of four with a long of 38 yards. The coaching staff does not appear to have much faith in the kicking game either only attempting 15 field goals last year and only three longer than 40 yards. All reports from the very few media practices is the field goal kicking game is still a mess. With a young team, there is going to be a time where they need Nuernberger to to nail a field goal to win and hopefully he can.
JC – Call playing. This team has enormous promise. The whole world has them losing in Norman – along with a stumble either against the Badgers, Spartans, or Wolverines. With that in mind – why not open up and challenge your talent. Play football as if it is fun ….
Shannon- Secondary and linebacker units. The first few games they will be getting their feet under them but by the end of the season they can become the strengths of the team.
Seems to be a lot of concern with the linebackers unit and the defense altogether.
tOSU Next Big Star
MDotySr – Austin Mack. He enrolled early got reps and has loads of talent. The only problem is how many good receivers the Buckeyes have on the roster which will limit his touches but I see him making the most of his chances.
Scott – Mike Weber
WVa – Since he never has really had his moment under the spotlight, I am going with Noah Brown here. All indications are that he is back where he was last season and according to Urban Meyer, he was neck and neck with Mike Thomas a year ago at this point. I have always been excited about him and think he will be the star of this offense next after JT Barrett.
Joe D. – Austin Mack is going to be a dangerous weapon for J.T. Barrett in the slot. The freshman — who enrolled before spring camp — had an excellent spring and fall, becoming the fastest player to lose his Black Stripe in March. He has all the physical tools to be a great wide receiver in the future. What makes him so valuable in 2016 is his hand-eye coordination and ability to make plays in the middle of the field.
Ben v. – Mike Weber – Merely a red-shirt freshman, he has been thrust into the spotlight early with the departure of Brionte Dunn from the team. Weber will get the ball 20+ times a game this season and will fill in nicely for Zeke Elliott. While I don’t think we will get the blocking like we did from Elliott, I feel the drop-off in the run game that everyone is expecting will not be that bad. Weber is a power runner and should be a fun one to watch grow over the next few seasons.
Brandon – Malik Hooker. I was not a huge fan of Hooker going into spring but he has won me over. I heard over and over about his athleticism and big play ability but I had never seen it. Two interceptions and a touchdown later and I am sold. Add this in with all the picks you saw him getting during the practice videos released during the fall camp and I think we have a star in the making.
JC – The Buckeyes are loaded. It’s rather difficult to narrow a future star down to one. I am going to say this team has the potential to being the 1996 New York Yankees with Jeter, Posada, Rivera, Williams, and Pettitte. So with that said – I will say Weber, Mack, and Hooker will all shine and be the next big names in Columbus.
Shannon – Jim Harbaugh since he will have to learn a new side of coaching, humility. Who has it better than us? Scarlet and Gray do coach thats who!!
Looks like a draw between Mike Weber and Malik Hooker.
tOSU Assistant Coach MVP
MDotySr – Very tough question here. Went back and forth between Marotti and Schiano with them being Co-MVP’s. The proving point will be week 2 (Tulsa scores a lot of points) and more importantly week 3 in Norman. Schiano was a great hire even if he is only here for one year, it was well worth it to me. On a side note, how the hell is Coach Marotti paid less that Iowa’s S&C Coach Chris Doyle by more than $205,000 annually????? Well you can bet Coach Mick will be getting an increase by next season.Scott – Larry Johnson
WVa – I think for the situation the offense is in now compared to the end of the season last year, Greg Studrawa will become that guy. I believe the play calling will improve and the test would be to improve o-line play with a new coach and improving on what Warriner has done will be next to impossible. Stud will get it done.
Joe D. – Joker Phillips as a volunteer will turn this program into a savagery offense like he did at Kentucky. I mean, Greg Studrawa will be the MVP of this season after seamlessly making the transition from LSU and continuing what Ed Warinner has done as the offensive line coach. Especially if true freshman Michael Jordan blossoms into the guard the coaching staff expects will start throughout the 2016 season.
Ben v. – Luke Fickell – He will be the MVP of the team if he is able to coach up the defense and get the linebackers playing at the level they are capable of. Like I said above I have some concerns about the inexperience of the linebackers, and if he is able to get them playing at an elite level early, then he more than earns the MVP this season.
Brandon – Larry Johnson. Everyone talks about the Michigan defensive line but I think in the end the Buckeyes will have the most dominant defensive line they have seen in a long time. They have four guys at defensive end who could start at almost any place in the country (Lewis, Hubbard, Bosa, and Homes) and some defensive tackles waiting to explode on the scene. Johnson is a master motivator and by the end of the season, the Buckeyes will be rotating 12 guys and causing a bunch of havoc on quarterbacks.
JC – I love Larry Johnson. He is motivational heaven. He could sell me a box of Twinkies during Lent. This guy will be the face of another program elsewhere rather soon. Let’s just hope it isn’t in the Big Ten.
Shannon – As I have stated earlier Greg Studrawa.
Greg Studrawa has the call here but it’s close over Larry Johnson.
TB1G Coach of the Year
MDotySr – I really think Lovie Smith (great hire for them and the B1G) gets enough improvement out of the Illinois to win the award though I would not be surprised if Mike Riley to win it either.
Scott – Pat Fitzgerald
WVa – I am with Scott. Fitz does more with less better than anybody in the B1G. I think Lovie Smith brings a lot to the conference and will improve things in Illinois but he won’t get any of what Fitz is getting.
Joe D. – HEY KIRK FERENTZ, YOU HAD A NICE YEAR AND I’M GOING TO LET YOU FINISH, BUT URBAN MEYER IS THE GREATEST COACH IN AMERICA. (Storms off stage and throws what has become the biggest joke of an award in the trash)
Ben v. – Urban Meyer – You lose 12 guys to the NFL draft, plus a few more undrafted kids and you still win the Big Ten? How can he not win it this year? I mean really? So yeah he probably won’t win again.
Brandon – Not Urban Meyer. I’m not sure who it will be but as we all know Ohio State coaches can not win. If I have to pick a name, I think it will be Mike Riley at Nebraska. I have them finishing the year 9-3 and second place in the B1G West. They had horrible luck last year and bring back a lot of talent. I could easily see them doing even better than I predicted and finishing 11-1 with a big last weekend win against Iowa to propel them to the B1G Championship.
JC – Urban Meyer. The League will want to pick someone else like Kirk Ferentz, or Lovie Smith, or even the troubled tree-climber up north. But at the end of the day they will have no choice. Urban Meyer is great. Plain and simple.
Shannon – Any Big Ten coach that isn’t on the same sideline of the Buckeyes. We know after winning two national championships not a single coach has been COY since Jimmy Carter was in office. Biased? You tell me why a coach can go undefeated and not win the award. Explain to me why Minnesota’s Jerry Kill won the award for having a one or two game turnaround and Urban did what he did.
Doing a coin toss here and Fitz wins!
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