Ohio State Football - Urban Meyer Style



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Catching an early glimpse of what can be expected is on everyone's mind when Ohio State's spring football game rolls around.  This year's game held even more interest with the start of the Urban Meyer era.  Everyone was wondering what to expect.  Would Meyer launch his vaulted spread offense?  If so, would the Horseshoe be able to sustain itself from the obvious shock?

Over 80,000 Buckeye faithful showed up to welcome Urban Meyer and the 2012 team.  It was far and away the largest crowd ever to see a spring game at the Horseshoe.  Obviously, a great sign for a team that will not be able to play for a Big Ten Championship or post season bowl game.  Not sure anyone in attendance even cared about the score but for the record, the Scarlet won 20-14 over the Gray.

Those in attendance could tell that a new day had dawned in Ohio State football.  The energy and enthusiasm was rampant.  Meyer's two-man drills kicked off the day and provided the spark to get players, coaches and fans alike ready to play.  Watching Braxton Miller face off against Kenny Guiton in the two-man drill was not something anyone was expecting, including the players.  The energy created by the two-man drill spilled right over into the spring game.

Watching the early going of the game, one had to wonder if those in the Scarlet and Gray were in fact other teams disguised in our Buckeye colors.  Long gone is the three yards and a cloud of dust.  Long gone is the idea that three things can happen when you use the forward pass and two of them are bad.  .  Saturday's game was all about the pass and both Miller and Guiton did not disappoint.  Miller went 24-31 and Guiton was 16-24.  Both had one interception but through for a total of 443 yards.  The offense was indeed Meyer's spread with four and five spread sets included throughout the game. 

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It was a very different offense that what we Buckeye fans are accustomed to.  There is no question that this new Buckeye team will be airing it out.  Braxton Miller is going to be the quarterback and he appears to be improving dramatically.  The question remains however, whom will he have to throw to.  Freshman receiver Michael Thomas looked great catching 12 passes for 131 yards.  Thomas will certainly be in the mix.  One has to think that Jordan Hall will get some passes thrown his way coming out of the backfield. 

All in all, an entertaining and hopeful spring game.  In spite of the sanctions and a team that will have no reward for a great season, this Buckeye team will be fun and exciting to watch.  The fast pace offense will catch all of us by surprise come September when Meyer unleashes this new look offense.  Like so many Buckeye fans, I am anxious, excited and hoping that the summer flies by.  Bring on Miami of Ohio, I'm ready to watch some Buckeye football.