Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, April 10, 2013
The debut for Urban Meyer was smashing, as he led the Buckeyes to a 12-0 record in 2012. If not for being on NCAA probation, Ohio State would have been in the thick of the national championship race. The shackles are off this season-and expectations are sky high for a team that should have a terrific offense. How will the defense develop? That will be the key for a Buckeyes team that has legit national championship aspirations.
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BACK IN 2012 …
Record: 12-0; 8-0 Big Ten
| Day | Date | Opponent | Time | TV | Result |
| Sat. | Sep. 1 | vs. Miami (OH) | 12:00 PM ET | BTN | W 56 – 10 |
| Sat. | Sep. 8 | vs. UCF | 12:00 PM ET | ESPN2 | W 31 – 16 |
| Sat. | Sep. 15 | vs. California | 12:00 PM ET | ABC | W 35 – 28 |
| Sat. | Sep. 22 | vs. UAB | 12:00 PM ET | BTN/BTN2 | W 29 – 15 |
| Sat. | Sep. 29 | at 20 Michigan State | 3:30 PM ET | ABC | W 17 – 16 |
| Sat. | Oct. 6 | vs. 21 Nebraska | 8:00 PM ET | ABC | W 63 – 38 |
| Sat. | Oct. 13 | at Indiana | 8:00 PM ET | BTN/BTN2 | W 52 – 49 |
| Sat. | Oct. 20 | vs. Purdue | 12:00 PM ET | ABC/ESPN2 | W 29 – 22 |
| Sat. | Oct. 27 | at Penn State | 5:30 PM ET | ESPN | W 35 – 23 |
| Sat. | Nov. 3 | vs. Illinois | 3:30 PM ET | ESPN | W 52 – 22 |
| Sat. | Nov. 17 | at Wisconsin | 3:30 PM ET | ABC/ESPN2 | W 21 – 14 |
| Sat. | Nov. 24 | vs. 20 Michigan | 12:00 PM ET | ABC | W 26 – 21 |
KEY LOSSES
Offense: T Reid Fragel; TE Jake Stoneburner. Defense: T Garrett Goebel; T Johnathan Hankins; CB Travis Howard; LB Etienne Sabino; John Simon; E Nathan Williams
OUTLOOK ON OFFENSE
| 2012 Offense (FBS Rank) | |||||
| Yards: | 5085 (64) | ||||
| Passing Yards: | 2178 (110) | ||||
| Rushing Yards: | 2907 (18) | ||||
| Points per game: | 37.2 (21) | ||||
| Yards per game: | 423.8 (46) | ||||
| Touchdowns: | 54 (31) | ||||
| Field Goals: | 8 (112) | ||||
This group has a shot to be special-very special. The line was a major surprise last season. Credit line coach Ed Warinner. And it should be strong again, with four starters back. But a right tackle is needed with Reid Fragel gone. A top priority will be to develop more big-play ability at receiver. Players like Devin Smith, Corey Brown, Michael Thomas and Evan Spencer need to take the next step. TEs Nick Vannett and Jeff Heuerman have flashed promise.
QB Braxton Miller must continue to emerge as a passer and decision maker, while taking full advantage of all of the spread-option offense the coordinator Tom Herman has to offer. Miller is a legit Heisman contender. We will have to wait until the fall to see Jordan Hall in a ?Percy Harvin? role. He could be a real wild card and difference-maker. At least that?s the hope. There are some nice options at running back: Carlos Hyde, Bri?onte Dunn, Rod Smith.
OUTLOOK ON DEFENSE
| 2012 Defense (FBS Rank) | |||||
| Yards: | 4315 (20) | ||||
| Passing Yards: | 2922 (61) | ||||
| Rushing Yards: | 1393 (14) | ||||
| Points per game: | 22.8 (32) | ||||
| Yards per game: | 359.6 (34) | ||||
| Touchdowns: | 29 (19) | ||||
| Field Goals: | 14 (58) | ||||
There is lots of work to do here. And it begins upfront with all four starters from the line are gone-E/T John Simon; T Johnathan Hankins; E Nathan Williams; T Garrett Goebel. The good news: There are a lot of young, talented players ready to emerge into big roles. Players like E Noah Spence, T Tommy Schutt and T Adolphus Washington, among others. Joel Hale, Steve Miller and Michael Bennett also are in the mix for coordinator Luke Fickell. Etienne Sabino, Storm Klein and Zach Boren are gone, so some linebackers need to step up around Ryan Shazier.
Former five-star recruit Curtis Grant will once again try to win a spot. The unit underwhelmed in 2012. That must change. Keep an eye on youngsters like Joshua Perry, David Perkins, Jamal Marcus, and Camren Williams. The secondary is bolstered by the return of three starters, including stud CB Bradley Roby and safeties Christian Bryant and C.J. Barnett.
2013 SCHEDULE
| Day | Date | Opponent |
| Sat. | Aug. 31 | vs. Buffalo |
| Sat. | Sep. 7 | vs. San Diego State |
| Sat. | Sep. 14 | at California |
| Sat. | Sep. 21 | vs. Florida A&M |
| Sat. | Sep. 28 | vs. Wisconsin |
| Sat. | Oct. 5 | at 17 Northwestern |
| Sat. | Oct. 19 | vs. Iowa |
| Sat. | Oct. 26 | vs. Penn State |
| Sat. | Nov. 2 | at Purdue |
| Sat. | Nov. 16 | at Illinois |
| Sat. | Nov. 23 | vs. Indiana |
| Sat. | Nov. 30 | at 24 Michigan |
***
| About Tom Dienhart | BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section. |
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