Heading Into 2014, Ohio State Has Every Reason To Be Defensive

Congratulations to the Clemson Tigers for their 40-35 victory over Ohio State in the 2014 Orange Bowl.  Clemson's offensive performance, as well as physical defensive play, were the difference.

Before heading into the gist of this article, I believe @TomOrr4 summarized my feelings on the 2013 Ohio State season very well...

Can't get over how much this feels like 1995. Really great start to the season, but the last two games... guh.
— Tom Orr (@TomOrr4) January 4, 2014

Another excellent thought from @Kirk_Barton.  Barton not only was a standout for Ohio State along the offensive line, but may have a future in prognostication...

Sun came up today.  I bet some people went double or nothing after the game that it wouldn't.
— Kirk Barton (@Kirk_Barton) January 4, 2014

**
As Mr. Barton pointed out, the sun did come out this morning.  Living in northeastern Ohio, especially during the winter months, that is not necessarily something I take for granted.  With the benefit of a decent night's sleep (yes, I did toss and turn over this game, but I eventually fell asleep), a good breakfast, coffee nearby, a sunny morning, and some hindsight, here are some thoughts for Ohio State fans to contemplate heading into the 2014 season...

•  The Defense Will Be, And Must Be, The Focus All Offseason ~ The #FireFickell chants have grown from a steady murmur to an incessant shout.  Regardless of Luke Fickell being on Ohio State's coaching staff in 2014, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer realizes the Ohio State defense has been the weak spot of his tenure.  Changing coaches and/or coordinators may soothe the feelings of angry fans, but the root symptoms are much deeper.

With a deep defensive line heading into 2014, has Ohio State truly embraced the concept of rotating multiple defensive linemen throughout the game?  Highly-touted players fill the roster, and others are on the way with the next recruiting class.  The Orange Bowl performance of redshirt freshman Jamal Marcus is a clear example of someone deserving of playing time.  Can Ohio State Defensive Line Coach Mike Vrabel come up with a rotation that will keep all the players fresh and opposing offenses uneasy?

The linebacker corps has been a weak spot since Coach Meyer was hired in November 2011.  Transfers, career-ending injuries, and graduations have depleted a position area that is arguably the proudest in Ohio State's football history.  Ryan Shazier has contemplated an early departure to the NFL; this area could only be weakened by such a move.  The inexperience of this group will be concerning heading into 2014, especially with an opening game at Navy and a vaunted triple option attack that is difficult to simulate and prepare for in summer camp.

Lastly, the secondary.  Bradley Roby departs for the NFL, and Ohio State fans may not necessarily believe that is a bad thing, based on tweets that were sent and seen throughout the evening.

Armani Reeves and Doran Grant return, but other defensive backs on the roster need to step up in preparation for the 2014 season.  Vonn Bell played well after a rocky start in the Orange Bowl, and Tyvis Powell also returns.  The key to the secondary will be improvement all across the board - coverage, turning for the ball, tackling.  Every area is room for improvement.  As Everett Withers leaves Ohio State for James Madison's head coaching position, a new coach can come into this position group and make an immediate impact.

All across the defense, fundamental improvement is necessary.  Tackling drills, taking proper angles to the ball carrier, etc. - all should be covered extensively and exhaustively heading into spring drills and summer camp.

**

My Dad used to say that anyone can be a fan when a team is winning.  Being a true fan means wearing the team's stuff after a tough loss, when things are not so easy.  As Mr. Barton stated, the sun did come out, and I have Ohio State garb on today, as I write this post.

24-2 over the last two seasons, yet it feels lacking, a la 1995.  Wear Ohio State garb proudly today.  Prepare for a strong finish to the incoming recruiting class over the next few weeks, and anticipate Ohio State being very defensive heading into the 2014 season.

All I Want For Ohio State Football Schedules? Better Non-Conf Opponents

Belated Merry Christmas wishes to any and all Ohio State fans who may be reading this post.  Sincere hopes that all of you have the happiest of holiday seasons.

**
Turning my attention to Ohio State football, I am naturally anxious to see how Ohio State will do versus Clemson in The Orange Bowl on January 3rd, 2014.  After losing to Michigan State in The B1G Championship Game, Ohio State fans will want to see if the Buckeyes will successfully rebound heading into the 2014 season.

The long view of the 2014 season, and the subsequent seasons after that, are of concern to me as an Ohio State fan.  The 2014 season will be the first season of the four team college football playoff, and strength of schedule will be a key criteria.  How will Ohio State fare under such scrutiny?

Ohio State fans heard all throughout the 2013 season how weak the Buckeyes' opponents were ~ Buffalo.  San Diego State.  California.  Florida A&M.  Yes, I know that Buffalo and San Diego State were bowl teams; ironically, the teams played each other in The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Yes, Ohio State and the B1G members are moving to a nine game conference schedule in 2016.  But look at Ohio State's 2015 non-conference schedule opponents ~ at Virginia Tech, which is a solid opponent.  Then home versus Hawaii, Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan.  Does that sound like an impressive slate of opponents that will impress the college football playoff committee?

What I am proposing, in light of a nine-game conference schedule, is the following:

• Target an in-state MAC opponent for the season opener:  Akron, Bowling Green, Kent State, Miami University, Ohio University, and Toledo would be ideal openers on a rotating basis.  Every team would benefit greatly from the financial boost of having Ohio State contribute to their respective athletic departments.  For Ohio State, this would also allow the Buckeyes to work on their opening game challenges against somewhat decent opponents, yet not ruin their national championship hopes right out of the gate...hopefully.  For creativity, these teams could even be the "home" team by hosting Ohio State at stadiums like Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, or FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.

• Target close geographic teams in other top conferences:  Teams such as Louisville, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Duke, North Carolina, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Marshall, and Iowa State should be on Gene Smith's speed dial.  Again, several of these teams are on Ohio State's upcoming schedules, but locking them in can only help with that perceived strength of schedule component.  (Yes, I know Notre Dame is close geographically, but with Notre Dame's new ACC schedule, good luck getting them on the schedule.  Plus, why help them, when they repeatedly turned down The B1G's multiple membership invitations?)

• Get some SEC opponents on the schedule:  Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Missouri are all close geographically and would only help to boost the rivalry between The B1G and SEC.

Close your eyes, and think of a schedule that reads like this..."Ohio State opens up on the road in Paul Brown Stadium, kicking off the XXXX season as the guest of the Miami University RedskinsHawks.  Ohio State returns home to face ACC member Pittsburgh, then finishes up their non-conference slate against Tennessee, before B1G competition begins the following week..."

Think that wouldn't be impressive to members of the college football playoff committee, when evaluating Ohio State versus other teams' records for possible playoff inclusion?

Like many Ohio State fans this holiday season, I have much to be thankful for, heading into 2014.  If Santa wants to bring me some more presents, tougher non-conference opponents for the Buckeyes would not be a bad way to start off future college football seasons.

Merry Christmas!

Best wishes to you and your loved ones for a Merry Christmas.  Have a safe and happy holiday.

Back(s) To The Future

When Urban Meyer was hired as Ohio State's head coach in November of 2011, Ohio State fans were familiar with Meyer's formidable spread offense attack, having been brutally victimized by Meyer's Florida Gators in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game.  The possibility that Ohio State would render B1G opposition in similar fashion was a tantalizing vision for Buckeye fans.

While Ohio State fans were eager to see the spread offense in action, one of the aspects of the spread offense was somewhat disconcerting.  Buckeye fans, accustomed to powerful tailbacks such as Archie Griffin and Eddie George, were somewhat perplexed as to whether Coach Meyer's offensive philosophies would mesh with a school accustomed to legendary Coach Woody Hayes' "3 Yards And A Cloud Of Dust" style.

In both 2012 and 2013, Ohio State fans could exhale easily, as Carlos Hyde emerged in the mold of a dominant power back for the Buckeyes.  Heading into the 2014 Orange Bowl contest versus Clemson, Hyde has rushed 183 times for 1408 yards, averaging 7.7 yards per carry during the 2013 season.  Jordan Hall, who filled in for Hyde at the beginning of the 2013 season, rushed 81 times for 536 yards, averaging 6.6 yards per carry.

Hyde and Hall will have exhausted their eligibility after the 2014 Orange Bowl, which could lead Ohio State fans to wonder which back is next on the horizon, to carry on the storied legacy of Buckeye running backs.  The answer is Ohio State does not have one back to carry on the strong rushing attack.  Ohio State may have four.

Heading into 2014 winter conditioning and spring football, a front-runner for the starting tailback position may be Ezekiel Elliott.  Elliott has rushed 30 times for 262 yards, averaging 8.7 yards per carry.  Elliott was Coach Meyer's top tailback recruit from the 2013 recruiting class, and could emerge as the starter heading into the 2014 season.

Senior Rod Smith may contest Elliott for the starting position.  Smith has the physical characteristics to be the starting tailback at Ohio State, but has struggled with fumbles in the past, as well as off the field issues, that have prevented him from more playing time.  2014 will be Smith's last opportunity for significant playing time.

Redshirt sophomore Warren Ball has carried the ball sparingly in 2013, but may have an opportunity for more work in 2014.  Ball redshirted in 2012, and has carried the ball 13 times for 76 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.  Ball has worked primarily on special teams, and may need to continue to do so to garner carries next season.

The enigma of this group is Bri'onte Dunn.  Dunn played as a true freshman in 2012, rushing 25 times for 133 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.  Reluctant to play special teams, and facing a logjam at the position in 2013, Dunn was redshirted for the 2013 season.  Rumors swirl that Dunn may transfer after the season, yet Ohio State fans remain hopeful that Dunn will stay in Columbus.

Another player to keep in mind that also impacts the tailback position for Ohio State is Dontre Wilson.  Wilson does not have the physical attributes of the other players listed above, but Wilson will also be used by the coaching staff in a variety of ways going forward.

Four powerful tailbacks, all eager and ready to take over the load.  Four backs to the future for 2014 and beyond in Ohio State football.

(Video Post) We Are a Family! We Are The Ohio State University!

Tell me how you would turn them down, after listening to this speech.  Big thanks to Stacy Elliott-Muhammad for posting this on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYSGFeoh_as

Minnich's 2013 Airing Of Grievances

Before I get too far into the primary theme of this post, congratulations to Florida State, Auburn, Michigan State, Stanford, Baylor, Rice, UCF, Fresno State, and Bowling Green on winning their respective conference championship games.  Congratulations to each of these teams for achieving conference champion status.

**

Anyone who knows or is familiar with my passion for college football is also accustomed to my passionate belief that college football needs a playoff system.  Yes, I know – a four team playoff is starting for the 2014 season.  Yes, I believe it will be an improvement over the present BCS system.

I refer to this time of year as my “Airing Of Grievances”, as my all-time favorite Seinfeld episode is “The Strike”, which features the themes of Festivus.  Among the concepts of Festivus are The Airing Of Grievances, as well as The Feats Of Strength.

Yes, college football will have a four team playoff, and I will concede it will be an improvement.  But…college football needs, and deserves, more. 

A 16 team playoff is the answer.  Why 16 teams, you ask?

Every conference champion (see up above) should be represented.  From the mighty SEC champion, to the lowly Sun Belt champion (congratulations to Louisiana-Lafayette, by the way; Louisiana-Lafayette did not win the Sun Belt via a conference championship game, which is why I did not list them up above.). 

College football fans are told repeatedly how every game matters, yet a four team playoff will exclude teams that are not considered “power conferences”.  Why not give a MAC champion or Conference USA champion a shot at the title?

And how would I get to sixteen teams, when there are only ten conferences?  Six at-large berths, based upon computer rankings.  Below, all rankings based upon computer rankings from ESPN and Jeff Sagarin.

Here is how this could work ~ 

·         American Athletic Conference (UCF)                       Seeded 12^th
·         Atlantic Coast Conference (Florida State)                 Seeded 1^st
·         Big 12 (Baylor)                                                           Seeded 9^th
·         B1G (Michigan State)                                                 Seeded 5^th
·         Conference USA (Rice)                                              Seeded 15^th
·         MAC (Bowling Green)                                               Seeded 14^th
·         Mountain West (Fresno State)                                     Seeded 13^th
·         Pac 12 (Stanford)                                                         Seeded 4^th
·         SEC (Auburn)                                                              Seeded 2^nd
·         Sun Belt (Louisiana-Lafayette)                                    Seeded 16^th
·         At-Large # 1 (Alabama)                                                Seeded 3^rd
·         At-Large # 2 (Ohio State)                                             Seeded 6^th
·         At-Large # 3 (Missouri)                                                Seeded 7^th
·         At-Large # 4 (South Carolina)                                      Seeded 8^th
·         At-Large # 5 (Oregon)                                                  Seeded 10^th
·         At-Large # 6 (Oklahoma)                                             Seeded 12^th

All games played at home team stadiums, with the higher seeded team being the host.  (For those of you wondering why I would rank Alabama over Stanford, it is due to Alabama having only lost one game, while Stanford lost two.)

Can you imagine how insane your December weekends would be if there truly was a playoff system like below?  Every conference champion gets a shot at the title.  And every deserving at-large team is rewarded for playing well throughout the season too.

Somewhat surprisingly to me, Dan Wetzel, author of "Death To The BCS", has switched from his previous position of including all conference champions, whittling down to an eight team playoff proposal.  Below is a brief Twitter exchange on the ideas of an eight or sixteen playoff system...

Here's @TyDuffy on benefits (and inevitability) of 8-team playoff. Post-realignment, its the best plan: http://t.co/zc4SCbZmlJ
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) December 11, 2013

@ChipMinnich @tyduffy too many at large bids and too many conferences are really weak. Only 5/6 legit now. Used to be 8/9. 8 is right number
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) December 11, 2013

 Until the day arrives where every conference champion is given a chance to win the national championship, I will be skeptical of any college football playoff system, with this serving as my Airing Of Grievances.  And until we have a system like mine, you can count on me to be ready for The Feats Of Strength…

[ESPN]: Maurice Clarett's First Game At Ohio State, 08/24/2002

I can still recall where I was when this play took place - watching the Ohio State season opener with Colleen, at her cousin's home in Rocky River, OH.  Looking forward to watching more of "Youngstown Boys" on 12/14/2013 at 9pm EST.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:10119687