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The 2012 Ohio State football season promises to be a most unusual one in Columbus. To start with, the Buckeyes are in the midst of disciplinary measures imposed by the NCAA which will prohibit them from any bowl appearances after the season. In addition, OSU was stripped of three scholarships a year for three seasons, with three seasons of probation running concurrently.
Another huge change in the land of the Buckeye is new head coach Urban Meyer, who was hired by the university in November, 2011, replacing interim head coach Luke Fickel, who guided OSU to a 6-7 record after replacing Jim Tressel, who'd resigned in May, 2011 following the announcement of the NCAA investigation into allegations of improper benefits to several members of the team.
Meyer, an Ohio native, had taken a year off from coaching and was employed as an analyst for ESPN when the Buckeyes came calling. He directed Florida to two national championships (2006, 2008) while compiling an overall W-L mark of 104-23 in nine seasons as a college head coach, and understands perfectly the challenges and expectations that lie ahead.
2011 OHIO STATE REVIEW
2011 turned out to be a season the Buckeye faithful would just as soon forget. The nightmare of the investigation, suspended players and coaching changes were ever-present.
Surprisingly, in what was a "down year" all around for the Big Ten, the Buckeyes went into Purdue in November with a 6-3 mark, hoping to wind up with a flourish. Instead, they fell to the Boilermakers in overtime, setting the stage for a disastrous final two regular season games, both losses. With a 6-6 record, they were invited to the Gator Bowl, where ironically, their opponent was none other than Meyer's former team, Florida, who prevailed 24-17. The Buckeyes final mark of 6-7 was their first sub-.500 mark since 1999.
Ohio State had four players selected in the 2012 NFL Draft; OT Mike Adams, WR DeVier Posey, RB Dan Herron and S Nate Ebner.
2012 BUCKEYE PROSPECTUS
Since the Buckeyes have essentially been given a "pass" for the 2012 season, it would be easy to write them off and look to the future. That's not how Meyer operates however.
At QB, sophomore Braxton Miller emerged as a legitimate Big Ten signal-caller. His skill set has been compared to none other than Tim Tebow, and given the relative lack of experienced RBs and WRs on the roster, Miller may have to emulate Tebow, at least early on. Up front, the Buckeyes have talent, but they will be very young and relying on unproven players.
Defensively, OSU has two potentially outstanding LBs in Curtis Grant and Ryan Shazier. The duo showed plenty of ability last season; now they need to show consistency.
KEY BUCKEYE NEWCOMERS
Meyer's first recruiting class tilted heavily towards defense, with blue-chip DEs Noah Spence and Adolphis Washington both capable of making immediate impacts. DT Tommy Schutt, another five-star prep, could also become familiar to fans fairly quickly. Given the thin crew at RB, Brionte Dunn may not have a choice as to his rate of development. Dunn is big, strong, fast and shifty.
SCHEDULE
It's too bad the Buckeyes aren't bowl-eligible, because their schedule is one of the more favorable in recent memory. Their first four games are in the friendly confines of the "Horseshoe," and their toughest matchup appears to be at Wisconsin. The two big rivalry games, Nebraska and Michigan, are also at home. So with a crowd full of Buckeyes apparel clad fans on board, the Buckeyes aim to right the ship quickly.
Another huge change in the land of the Buckeye is new head coach Urban Meyer, who was hired by the university in November, 2011, replacing interim head coach Luke Fickel, who guided OSU to a 6-7 record after replacing Jim Tressel, who'd resigned in May, 2011 following the announcement of the NCAA investigation into allegations of improper benefits to several members of the team.
Meyer, an Ohio native, had taken a year off from coaching and was employed as an analyst for ESPN when the Buckeyes came calling. He directed Florida to two national championships (2006, 2008) while compiling an overall W-L mark of 104-23 in nine seasons as a college head coach, and understands perfectly the challenges and expectations that lie ahead.
2011 OHIO STATE REVIEW
2011 turned out to be a season the Buckeye faithful would just as soon forget. The nightmare of the investigation, suspended players and coaching changes were ever-present.
Surprisingly, in what was a "down year" all around for the Big Ten, the Buckeyes went into Purdue in November with a 6-3 mark, hoping to wind up with a flourish. Instead, they fell to the Boilermakers in overtime, setting the stage for a disastrous final two regular season games, both losses. With a 6-6 record, they were invited to the Gator Bowl, where ironically, their opponent was none other than Meyer's former team, Florida, who prevailed 24-17. The Buckeyes final mark of 6-7 was their first sub-.500 mark since 1999.
Ohio State had four players selected in the 2012 NFL Draft; OT Mike Adams, WR DeVier Posey, RB Dan Herron and S Nate Ebner.
2012 BUCKEYE PROSPECTUS
Since the Buckeyes have essentially been given a "pass" for the 2012 season, it would be easy to write them off and look to the future. That's not how Meyer operates however.
At QB, sophomore Braxton Miller emerged as a legitimate Big Ten signal-caller. His skill set has been compared to none other than Tim Tebow, and given the relative lack of experienced RBs and WRs on the roster, Miller may have to emulate Tebow, at least early on. Up front, the Buckeyes have talent, but they will be very young and relying on unproven players.
Defensively, OSU has two potentially outstanding LBs in Curtis Grant and Ryan Shazier. The duo showed plenty of ability last season; now they need to show consistency.
KEY BUCKEYE NEWCOMERS
Meyer's first recruiting class tilted heavily towards defense, with blue-chip DEs Noah Spence and Adolphis Washington both capable of making immediate impacts. DT Tommy Schutt, another five-star prep, could also become familiar to fans fairly quickly. Given the thin crew at RB, Brionte Dunn may not have a choice as to his rate of development. Dunn is big, strong, fast and shifty.
SCHEDULE
It's too bad the Buckeyes aren't bowl-eligible, because their schedule is one of the more favorable in recent memory. Their first four games are in the friendly confines of the "Horseshoe," and their toughest matchup appears to be at Wisconsin. The two big rivalry games, Nebraska and Michigan, are also at home. So with a crowd full of Buckeyes apparel clad fans on board, the Buckeyes aim to right the ship quickly.
