Official 2012 Buckeyes Thread

[Millz]

On September 1st the Buckeyes play host to the mighty Miami Redhawks which officially kicks off the Urban Meyer era. I can't wait to see the Bucks rushing out their tunnel with Meyer up front running out with them. Even though there is no bowl game this year, I feel this team is still at least a year away to be near a top 10 caliber type of team, so not having a bowl game won't matter too much imo. But this will be one heck of a stepping stone of a season!

We definitely should be better than what we all saw last year however, and Meyer will have all of this year for recruiting players unlike he did last year. He did a great job under the circumstances in recruiting thus far, I just can't wait to see the recruiting these next few years and just how good we will be in 2 to 3 years from now. It is a great time to be a Buckeye fan, and us fans couldn't have asked for a better situation to be in after what has happened since spring of 2011.

GO BUCKS!!!

[whodey21]

Originally Posted by Millz

On September 1st the Buckeyes play host to the mighty Miami Redhawks which officially kicks off the Urban Meyer era. I can't wait to see the Bucks rushing out their tunnel with Meyer up front running out with them. Even though there is no bowl game this year, I feel this team is still at least a year away to be near a top 10 caliber type of team, so not having a bowl game won't matter too much imo. But this will be one heck of a stepping stone of a season!

We definitely should be better than what we all saw last year however, and Meyer will have all of this year for recruiting players unlike he did last year. He did a great job under the circumstances in recruiting thus far, I just can't wait to see the recruiting these next few years and just how good we will be in 2 to 3 years from now. It is a great time to be a Buckeye fan, and us fans couldn't have asked for a better situation to be in after what has happened since spring of 2011.

GO BUCKS!!!

That indicates to me that you think they will lose at least three games this year. Which games do you think they'll lose? As I recall, every loss was close last year, even with abysmal game management from Fickell.

[Millz]

Originally Posted by whodey21

That indicates to me that you think they will lose at least three games this year. Which games do you think they'll lose? As I recall, every loss was close last year, even with abysmal game management from Fickell.

As of right now Michigan St, Wisconsin, and Michigan will be the three toughest games, and ones we would be most likely an underdog for I have to think. Every other team on the schedule we should be favored to win imo, though not to sure how good Cal will be, as they weren't even a top 25 team at end of last year. So instead of saying a top-10 team, more like we will be a 3 loss to possibly being a 2 loss team, which would be a great improvement over last year.

[whodey21]

Originally Posted by Millz

As of right now Michigan St, Wisconsin, and Michigan will be the three toughest games, and ones we would be most likely an underdog for I have to think. Every other team on the schedule we should be favored to win imo, though not to sure how good Cal will be, as they weren't even a top 25 team at end of last year. So instead of saying a top-10 team, more like we will be a 3 loss to possibly being a 2 loss team, which would be a great improvement over last year.

Those were the three I figured. My counterargument for them is:

MSU- The Spartans won by 3 points last year. Braxton is no longer a freshman, and Urban knows what he is doing as coach. Kirk Cousins is also gone. Surely those are worth two points each, giving the win to Ohio State.

Wisconsin- Ohio State beat them last year. After that, Wisconsin lost some key starters to the draft. The Urban > Luke & Braxton '12 > Braxton '11 argument applies here, as well.

M!ch!g@n- This was a close game last year (OSU lost by 6), and would have been won by Ohio State if Miller hadn't overthrown a wide open reciever (was it Posey?) in the end zone. This is essentially a home bowl game for the Buckeyes this year, and there have been enough coaches fired over The Game that Meyer knows that this is a must-win for him.

My alumni sticker tells me that I might not be totally objective in my analysis of those particular games, but I don't see any real mismatches for them this season, as long as the motivation remains high and injuries remain low.

[SunsetBengal]

Life long Buckeye fan, here. I have high hopes, but low expectations from this season. Meyer may be able to work some magic, but anyone with eyes cannot deny the fact that the OL and LB squads are paper thin, and not excellent to start with.

[Millz]

Originally Posted by whodey21

My alumni sticker tells me that I might not be totally objective in my analysis of those particular games, but I don't see any real mismatches for them this season, as long as the motivation remains high and injuries remain low.

I might be one the most objective Buckeye fans there is . Oh the arguments I have gotten into the last 2-3 years about Tressel, before the scandal hit and afterwards. I was actually in favor of hoping to see a new coach come in, as I just didn't think Tress had it anymore to get us another title. But mainly, I just got tired of him and his sugarcoating nice ways when it came to the media. After the scandal broke, I was on the frontlines wanting him gone, and let me tell you I got into some heated arguments with Tressel fans last year when I lived up there. The moment I heard it was official with Meyer, I was beyond stoked as I feel he is a much better coach overall and the coach we needed to get win another title, scandal or no scandal. I literally jumped up out of my chair clapping when I heard it was official.

There are a couple things that worry me this year though, which is why I have us underdogs for at least those 3 games. One is our pass offense. Unless a receiver or two steps up big time, we basically have no one out there to be a playmaker for Braxton. He will improve over last year for sure as Bollman is finally freaking gone, but he will need some help out there to throw to. Also not exactly comfortable on the defense. They should be pretty good, but will they good be good enough to shut down opposing offenses? Worst thing that can happen is to get into a shootout, cause I just don't see us having a quick strike offense just yet. Come a year or two though after Meyer brings in some top rated receivers, that tune will definitely change.

[whodey21]

Originally Posted by Millz

There are a couple things that worry me this year though, which is why I have us underdogs for at least those 3 games. One is our pass offense. Unless a receiver or two steps up big time, we basically have no one out there to be a playmaker for Braxton. He will improve over last year for sure as Bollman is finally freaking gone, but he will need some help out there to throw to. Also not exactly comfortable on the defense. They should be pretty good, but will they good be good enough to shut down opposing offenses? Worst thing that can happen is to get into a shootout, cause I just don't see us having a quick strike offense just yet. Come a year or two though after Meyer brings in some top rated receivers, that tune will definitely change.

I see your first point, and agree completely. However, every time I think of just how bad our pass offense was last year, I think of how amazing it was that we still managed to win. And the games we didn't win were still, somehow, very close.

I would call the Wisconsin and M!ch!g@n games shootouts last year (compared to most OSU games in recent history), and I think things could have gone much, much worse. I guess I'm almost comforted by how bad we were in the air last year, because it couldn't get any worse, and if it gets even marginally better, we can make up what were narrow losses last year.

[Morning Star]

2 losses this..Wis. and Michagan St.

I heard quite a few people talking a possible undefeated season.When talking they say they cannot be ranked this year, they will prove themselves more..I will go with that!!

[whodey21]

Originally Posted by Morning Star

2 losses this..Wis. and Michagan St.

I heard quite a few people talking a possible undefeated season.When talking they say they cannot be ranked this year, they will prove themselves more..I will go with that!!

They cannot be ranked in the coaches' or BCS poll. They can (and will) still be ranked by the AP.

[Millz]

Very good read on Meyer. This was featured on the front page of Espn's college fb section. Way too long to post it here, so may take a few minutes to read it, but a lot of good stuff in there.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/...rk-family-life

[Morning Star]

Originally Posted by Millz

Very good read on Meyer. This was featured on the front page of Espn's college fb section. Way too long to post it here, so may take a few minutes to read it, but a lot of good stuff in there.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/...rk-family-life

Very good read about Meyer and his character..I really admired Jim Tressal and his values he brought to the team..I am sure after reading this Meyer will do the same thing.

[whodey21]

Originally Posted by Morning Star

Very good read about Meyer and his character..I really admired Jim Tressal and his values he brought to the team..I am sure after reading this Meyer will do the same thing.

I liked him too, but hopefully not the same thing.

[Stewy]

Originally Posted by Morning Star

Very good read about Meyer and his character..I really admired Jim Tressal and his values he brought to the team..I am sure after reading this Meyer will do the same thing.

Unfrotunately, Tressel like Paterno put the NOW and their ego's before the overall long term good of team and their Athletic Departments. let's hope Meyer DOESN'T emulate that.

[Morning Star]

Originally Posted by whodey21

I liked him too, but hopefully not the same thing.

I think if we just stay away from tatoo parlors we will be fine!

[whodey21]

Originally Posted by Morning Star

I think if we just stay away from tatoo parlors we will be fine!

I was talking about that one time he lost to M!ch!g@n, what are you talking about?

[Millz]

Just finished watching "Ohio State Training Days" on ESPNU. On the guide it is ESPNU All Access. It will be re-airing tonight at 10:00 and probably be re-aired at other times. It is a must see for Buckeye fans. Pretty sweet stuff shown on them at their 'training camp' from waking up, meals, and practice inside the indoor facility. An indoor facility that has a Paul Brown banner hanging which was pretty cool to see.

[Jasonew6]

For you Buckeye fans who don't follow recruiting closely, I have 3 names for you to remember.

Noah Spence - Speedy DE, very highly rated coming out, and expected to play quite a bit.
Adolphus Washington - Manchild D-lineman. He was a DE coming out, but they have put some weight on him and moved him inside.
Boom Perkins - A linebacker. Quality kid, good player and maybe the best interview on the team as a true freshman.

[Morning Star]

Just curious, Is anybody planning on going the games this year in Columbus?

[whodey21]

Originally Posted by Morning Star

Just curious, Is anybody planning on going the games this year in Columbus?

I've got my tickets to the first 3 games this year. I'm moving out of state before Big Ten play starts

[Millz]

Originally Posted by Morning Star

Just curious, Is anybody planning on going the games this year in Columbus?

I doubt any games, but planning on going tailgating for at least one game. Guy I know up there does a big one with a bunch of people. They have a big tv set up, big tent, ton of good food, free drinks.

[whodey21]

Originally Posted by whodey21

They cannot be ranked in the coaches' or BCS poll. They can (and will) still be ranked by the AP.

Originally Posted by Morning Star

2 losses this..Wis. and Michagan St.

I heard quite a few people talking a possible undefeated season.When talking they say they cannot be ranked this year, they will prove themselves more..I will go with that!!

Almost forgot, we are ranked #18 in the AP Poll this year. Oddly enough, the same position we started in last year.

[Jasonew6]

The first quarter gave me flashbacks to last year, but once they woke up they were REALLY impressive.

[Millz]

Yeah that first quarter I was like wow. But that Miami qb is pretty good, and heard on tv that he had 26 NFL teams come watch him practice already. Once Miller and the offense got moving in that 2nd qtr though, it was lights out. Miller had the most rushing yards too today by a qb in osu history they said.

Also that one handed td by Devin Smith was awesome. One of the best catches I have seen at any level.

Hyde is going to beast at rb. Between his power and Miller's speed, we are going to have a lethal threat running the ball.

And poor Penn St. losing to OU. Haha Not.

[7sLefty]

Originally Posted by Millz

Yeah that first quarter I was like wow. But that Miami qb is pretty good, and heard on tv that he had 26 NFL teams come watch him practice already. Once Miller and the offense got moving in that 2nd qtr though, it was lights out. Miller had the most rushing yards too today by a qb in osu history they said.

Also that one handed td by Devin Smith was awesome. One of the best catches I have seen at any level.

Hyde is going to beast at rb. Between his power and Miller's speed, we are going to have a lethal threat running the ball.

And poor Penn St. losing to OU. Haha Not.

I like miller and our defense is better than the numbers they put up in a pass happy offense! I do think miller needs to be patient in the pocket....he can flat out run but he leaves the pocket to soon to often! Hyde and Dunn and smith are such a strong unit even without hall. Wideouts look good as well! Overall good win and liking the new offense!!!
GO BUCKS!

[Millz]