National Signing Day - Looking Good In Columbus

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Even though the Ohio State Buckeyes and new coach, Urban Meyer, are facing serious sanctions over the next several years, this year's signing day is looming as one of the best years for the Buckeyes.  Three days prior to National Signing Day and the Buckeyes have 23 committed recruits coming to Columbus.  Of the 23 committed high school seniors, 6 are on most recruiting services top 100 lists. 

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Currently, the Buckeyes 2012 class is rated anywhere from 3rd to 8th depending upon what rankings you follow.  ESPN's ranking has the Buckeyes at 8th where Rivals and Scout.com have the Buckeyes at third in the nation.  Out of the Top 200 players coming out of high school, 11 student athletes still have the Buckeyes listed as one of the schools they are considering.  Most will announce their decisions on Wednesday, February 1, National Signing Day. 

Meyer, good to his word, is making strong efforts to fence in the State of Ohio signing all of the big names so far.  Adolphus Washington out of Cincinnati, the big defensive end.  Two others already committed from Ohio are Sevon Pittman, defensive line, and Bri'onte Dunn, running back,  out of Canton, Ohio.  These three are in the Top 200 players.  Two of the biggest names for the Buckeyes are Noah Spence out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Tommy Schutt out of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, both defensive players. 

So far, out of the 23 players committing to Ohio State, the split between offense and defense is fairly equal.  It will be interesting to see what happens over the course of the next three days as the remaining high school athletes make their selection. 

Ohio State and Michigan are leading the way in the Big Ten and the better class among the two is still up for grabs.  Most analysts feel that Ohio State and Urban Meyer will come out on top but like always, the real proof of who has the best class will be played out on the field in another year or two at The Horseshoe and The Big House. 

Losing scholarships and not being able to compete for a Big Ten Championship and Bowl Game in 2012 will impede Meyer and the Buckeyes to some degree.  However, it appears that most Buckeye candidates are looking beyond that knowing that in 2013, the Buckeyes will be competing for both, a Big Ten Championship and National Championship. 

Like all Buckeye faithful, I will be watching closely to see if Meyer is able to rope in one, possibly two more Top 200 recruits pushing the 2012 Buckeye class to the top of the list.     

No Joy For The Buckeyes!

It appeared that the Buckeyes were playing with the same level of enthusiasm as I had in anticipation for the game.   It’s been an unfortunate and sad year for the Buckeye nation and today’s game against Florida we saw first-hand the impact and pain of NCAA sanctions.  The Scarlet and Gray were on the field but their hearts did not appear to be in the game.  I do not wish to diminish Florida’s win however as their special teams played exceptionally well against the Buckeyes.

First of all, like many of you, I really find fault with a bowl system that awards two 6-6 teams with a bowl game, no matter that they are two of the very best college football programs.  Neither team was very good in 2011.  Both benefit from the extra game and all the practice leading up to it but still, 6-6, even 7-5 should stay home in December and January. 

This was a difficult year to be a Buckeye player and fan.  Seven losses in one season is beyond the pale.  They were reporting during the game that Ohio State hasn’t had a 7-loss season for over 100 years.   My heart goes out to Coach Luke Fickel.  Not fair for him to be stuck with such a tag given all that he had to endure this long season of Ohio State Football.  I am sure he does not regret the opportunity. 

New Coach, Urban Meyer, will have to determine what it is that the 2012 Buckeyes will be playing for.  I am confident he will figure it out but I believe that will be his single biggest challenge in moving forward with this team.  Meyer may want to consult with Southern Cal and their coaching staff and players to determine how they managed to compete so well with no hope of playing for post-season honors.  Of course for the Buckeyes, there is The Game, which is always the most important game of the year anyway.  Not sure I would want to be in Michigan’s shoes in 2012.   

Losing seven games in one season was not the only milestone in today’s game against Florida.  Today was the end of an era of Ohio State Football.  I am not writing of the NCAA sanctions or even the loss to Florida.  No, today was the end of a style of Ohio State Football that I suspect we will never see again.  Today’s game once again illustrated how a one-dimensional team is not competitive.  Although I would not say that Jim Tressel’s offense and that of Fickel’s compares to all the years of Woody Hayes and his three yards and a cloud of dust.  I would say that the unimaginable offensive schemes that we have been accustomed to for the last ten years are gone forever.

If you’re like me, kissing goodbye to the conservative play-calling is long overdue.  I welcome the spread offense and Urban Meyer’s brand of it.  I can’t wait to see it.  If you think Ohio State Football has been exciting as I have, it is hard to imagine what scoring points will be like again.  The Big Ten will change forever when the Buckeyes take the field next September.  We won’t be playing for the Big Ten Championship, National Championship or some BCS Bowl game but the 2012 edition of The Ohio State Buckeyes will be unlike any Ohio State team we have ever seen.  I’m ready for it.  I hope you are.  Go Bucks.