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| Buckeye football is back! |
Is that Buckeye football is mere hours away from being back! Are you excited? Because I sure am. If you’re not, then this video definitely will get you pumped up. After all the offseason drama, getting back on the gridiron in the Horseshoe will be sweet for the players and the fans. I will be going through five things that I am looking forward to from this game and my prediction for the game.
This is the number one thing I will be watching against Akron. What do these guys bring to the table once we are in game speed? I am ready to see what Joe Bauserman with the first team and whether or not he will be the answer for the 2011 season. Braxton Miller eventually will be one of the best to play the quarterback position at Ohio State. But is he ready to be thrust into that role on day one? I am more excited for Miller to step on the field than I was for Terrelle Pryor. Miller didn’t have a long, drawn-out recruitment. He didn’t wait until a month after National Signing Day to pick the Buckeyes. In fact, Miller picked Ohio State almost three months before his senior season of high school. Both QBs should play a significant amount against the Zips, giving us a good preview of what’s to come.
2. Running Backs
With Boom Herron suspended and Jaamal Berry likely to miss the opener with a hamstring issue, it looks like Jordan Hall will get the opening day start. Hall is more than capable of making the big play, as he showed multiple times last season. If Berry is out, Carlos Hyde and Rod Smith both will move up a slot on the depth chart.
3. Youngsters Step Up at Wide Receiver
Even if DeVier Posey was playing in the first five games, the Buckeyes would be very young at wide receiver. Posey is the only upperclassmen of the receiving corps. Corey “Philly” Brown and Chris Fields are the only other wideouts that have more than a freshman’s eligibility. Verlon Reed and T.Y. Williams are redshirt freshmen while Devin Smith and Evan Spencer are true freshmen.
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| Verlon Reed will make his first start vs. Akron |
Reed and Philly Brown will be the starters against Akron. Reed has stepped up in camp and is settling in the role that will belong to Posey when he returns from his suspension. Both Smith and Spencer impressed in camp, but Spencer was listed on the two-deep over Smith thanks to his strong performance in the second half of fall camp. With so much young talent at receiver, the future looks bright for the Buckeyes.
4. The Emergence of Travis Howard
The line of great Ohio State cornerbacks will continue. This time with Travis Howard. Howard has big shoes to fill, replacing the All-American Chimdi Chekwa. The junior from Miami, Fl. made two interceptions last season in mostly backup duty, including one returned for a touchdown thanks to some excessive moxie.
5. Involvement of Tight Ends
This group of tight ends is possibly the finest the Buckeyes have ever had. Jake Stoneburner has grown into the role after switching from wide receiver while Reid Fragel also showed his worth last season with his blocking and showed his speed at times.
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| Heuerman will get plenty of chances to impress this fall |
True freshman Jeff Heuerman is also going to get significant playing time after he has been impressive with his pass-catching ability. Depending on how the offensive line plays, Miller or Bauserman could be looking to get rid of the ball quickly, and these tight ends will likely be the targets.
Prediction: Ohio State 45, Akron 0
To be honest, anything less than a three or four touchdown victory over the Zips will be a disappointment for Ohio State. Akron was 1-11 last season with its lone victory coming in the season finale against Buffalo. The Zips lost their top two rushers and their quarterback, Patrick Nicely, completed less than half of his passes. The Silver Bullets will prove to be too much and the Buckeye defense will get a touchdown of their own at some point in the game. Here’s a bold prediction: four Buckeyes (Braxton Miller, Jordan Hall, Carlos Hyde and Rod Smith) will get 50 or more rushing yards. Any way you look at it, this game will end up in a Buckeye victory and we’ll all go home happy after singing Carmen Ohio.
