Could I simply wrap this article up in just two words, Braxton Miller? It would be easier. It would make reading this article and writing this article a lot faster. However, I don't think Braxton Miller will be able to get it done all by himself. I mean he's got an all-star coach in UrbanMeyer on his sideline. He has not only some playmakers on his side of the ball, but on defense as well.
Miller's offensive line looks as strong as it has been in years. And Miller has a reliable 1,000 yard rusher in the backfield in Carlos Hyde.
Speaking of rushing, Miller ran for over 1,200 yards and hit pay dirt 13 times with his legs. Braxton definitely deserves to be in the Heisman conversation this season, and will look to stay in that conversation throughout the year.
Miller has a couple of reliable receivers in junior Devin Smith and senior Philly Brown. Brown reeled in 60 receptions for 669 yards and three touchdowns last season.
But enough of this very talented, speedy offense. Lets discuss the Buckeyes defense.
Linebacker Ryan Shazier is coming off of a season where he accumulated 115 tackles, including five sacks. He will be lining up with fellow playmakers Curtis Grant and Joshua Perry.
The cornerbacks are led by junior Bradley Roby who reeled in two interceptions last season. And the safeties are strong with seniors CJ Barnett and Christian Bryant taking the field.
Last season the Buckeyes unfortunately had a post-season bowl ban, however that ban is out the window.
The Buckeyes went 12-0 last season with their closest game being a one-point victory over Michigan State in Spartan Stadium. Can the Buckeyes go undefeated again in 2013?
A few key games that they will need to be ready for include two away games, and a handful of games being played in Columbus.
The Bucks first test comes on September 28th against the Wisconsin Badgers, who have a brand new head coach, but still a few playmakers on the roster.
The next week OSU will travel to Ryan Field to take on main Colter and the Northwestern Wildcats. I believe that this is the type of game that if the Buckeyes go into too confident, it could prove deadly for their undefeated hopes.
On October 26 the Buckeyes will take in Penn State, who is coached by last year's Project CFB Coach of the Year Bill O'Brien.
The month f November doesn't seem to bring too many road blocks, OSU will face off against Purdue and Illinois at their respective stadiums, followed by a game against Indiana at Ohio Stadium.
Then, November 30th we will be treated to THE Game. Ohio State will travel to Ann Arbor to take on their most hated rival, the Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines have improved vastly since the Rich Rodriguez era, and the Wolverines will look to stop any kind of momentum the Buckeyes have stirred up in weeks prior. But Braxton Miller and company will be looking to not only go undefeated and play in the Big Ten Title game, but they will be looking for their first National Championship since 2002. As long as Braxton Miller can stay healthy, and he gets the right support from his pool of running backs, wide receivers and offensive line, the Buckeyes should be able to at least wind up 12-1, with the hopes of going 13-0. Even if their defense has trouble with a couple of the high offense teams on their schedule, no one in the Big Ten ranked higher in scoring than the Buckeyes. I'm not sure if there is anyone in the country that can top OSU when it comes to putting points on the board.
The Buckeyes have a very impressive team this season. 2013 could very well be the year of the Ohio State Buckeyes, but we will just have to wait and see if they can do what they need to do to make it to the National Title.
- Matt Lytle
@mattlytle
matt.projectcfb@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment