Fall Is Coming

But before fall settles upon central Ohio, the foundation of autumns champions are crafted in March and April. The sharp squeak of vigorous writing on a grease board,  A violent crunch echoes as linebacker meets tailback. Tightly spiralling footballs thrown with precision find their targets once again. whistles blowing, coaches yelling…especially coach Coombs, Braxton Miller juking someone out of his shorts. Noah Spence attempting to murder Braxton Miller for said juking. These are the sights and sounds of Spring practice. Ohio State started spring practice in March this year, spreading out their practices over nearly a month.

Game of Thrones

A year ago Urban Meyer took over a Ohio State’s Commander In Chief and lead them to a 12-0 season, the Buckeyes first undefeated season since they won the National Title ten years ago. During last years spring practice, Urban Meyer installed his famous spread option offense. He called it a clown show. While it may have been a clown show in the spring it was certainly anything but that come fall. OSU’s offense improved it’s national scoring rank from 79th in 2011 to 21st in 2012. Total yardage rank also drastically changed as OSU went from 107th in 2011 to 46th in 2012. One area the Buckeyes didn’t drastically improve in was the passing game. In 2011 Ohio State was ranked 115th nationally. Last year they improved, but only slightly to 105th…adding an additional 51 yards per game through the air.

Urban Meyer would certainly like to improve upon that mark as Ohio State will certainly be favorites to push for a National Title this year. In an effort to improve his mechanics Braxton Miller has worked this offseason with QB guru’s, sherpa’s, Ted Danson, Kelly Lebrock, Dr. Jack Ramsey and  a Dire Wolf…Grey Wind I believe. Thus far the reports have all been stellar. Miller is drawing rave reviews from people that have watched him play. The word Heisman has been brought up half a hundred times.

Spring practice has been injury free for the most part with only a few bumps and bruises along the way. The OSU offense has added the diamond formation to it’s repertoire along with a base defense of 4-2-5. Former 5 star linebacker recruit Curtis Grant has been named the starter at middle linebacker by Urban Meyer, though with a base 4-2-5 defense he won’t see the field as often as he would like. Young pups Brionte Dunn and Warren Ball have made a name for themselves this spring ripping off big runs consistently. Tyvis Powell has made a name for himself playing in the secondary. Could be OSU’s next “star.” Reports on Noah Spence has been that he is unblock-able coming off the end.

What to expect from the spring game:

  • Passing, passing and more passing. Much like last years Scarlet and Gray game, OSU will throw the ball…an awful lot. Again, this is the weakness of the offense and something it desperately needs to work on.
  • Quick whistles on both Braxton Miller and Kenny Guiton. They will both be in black jerseys and not allowed to be hit, much to the chagrin of Noah Spence.
  • Consistent pass rush by Spence and Washington along with some others.
  • Will we see a lot of the diamond formation? Urban Meyer loved what the 49ers and Redskins did with it last year and will look to unveil it with Miller running it.
  • Will Urban Meyer have a pre game drill like he did last year to pump up the crowd and his players?
  • Who will be the spring game hero? Every year there is a player that emerges after having a HUGE spring game. Upon said players rise in popularity, there is a tidal wave of forums gossip, twitter talk and unending hope that OSU has somehow, some way found the next diamond in the rough superstar. Last year it was Michael Thomas who had a huge 12 catch game for the Scarlet team and everyone thought he would make noise come the fall, including me. He finished last year with 3 catches for 22 yards…another spring game popcorn fart superstar. Hell, I remember Joe Bauserman having a good spring game and people actually saying he should start over Terrelle Pryor because of it.

One of my complaints last year was that Braxton Miller didn’t get to play with many of his skill position players as they draft teams a few days before the game. I’d love to see Miller grouped with some if not most of the WR’s he will be throwing to come fall.

What say you Buckeye nation? What are you looking forward to? Who will be this years spring game superstar? And more importantly…

Will Ohio State win?

cat dun

Comments

  1. I just want to know who will win the RT spot Decker or Farris….. #FatGuyProblems

  2. I feel like Warren Ball has the most to gain from this game. Of all the success that Hyde (and Smith to a lesser extent) had last year, along with the highly touted freshmen coming in, it seems like this is a make or break year for him

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