2012 OSU Football Predictions
By Adam
Like many things in life, I didn’t want to be the first of the FanSided network of bloggers to jump all the way ahead to 2012 season predictions. I didn’t want to be that guy. You know, the one who jumps into something so prematurely that everyone else just stands back and condescendingly laughs. However, I have no problem being the guy that follows suit with his crazy idea, especially when it involves next year’s football season.
Despite the fact that the 2011 college football season hasn’t ended, Lawrence Mitchells, a blogger for Husky Haul (Washington Huskies), decided to do an in-depth prediction of his team’s 2012 season. Quite frankly, I love the idea of trying to guess the fate of your team 9 almost months before they take a snap.
Projecting any team at this point is nearly impossible, but with the first 7 loss season for Ohio State since 1897 (not a typo) finally a part of history, it’s time to move on and put some distance between the crazy NCAA scandal-ridden season that was 2011 and the Urban Meyer-led Buckeyes of 2012.
September 1: Vs Miami (OH): The RedHawks ended the 2011 season with just 4 wins, and the losing teams in those games went on to win a combined 12 games. The Buckeyes have not lost to an in-state opponent since 1921, and they will continue that streak here. This game, however, will provide an early test for the OSU secondary, as Miami and Zac Dysert should throw the ball close to a million times in this contest. WIN
September 8: Vs Central Florida: Due to TCU joining the Big East, albeit a short-lived stay, Cincinnati was forced to shuffle their schedule. For this reason, OSU will now be playing the University of Central Florida on September 8 instead. TCU did not even play a game as a representative of the Big East before switching to join the Big 12, but that’s another story. UCF has a very balanced offensive attack, and a solid defense, but was only able to accumulate 5 wins last season overall. Just 3 of those wins came against a sub-par Conference USA schedule, so there is nothing to suggest that this should be a problem game for OSU. Bottom line, this schedule change went from a possible big challenge in Urban’s second game to another tune up for his new offense. WIN
September 15: Vs California: Cal was another team that had a decent record (ended 7-6 including a bowl loss to Texas), but failed to register an impressive win. They lost to all 3 ranked teams that they faced, but a non-conference game against a Pac 12 team is better than against a Youngstown State or another FCS school. The Bears, like Miami, come out firing the ball, but also have a steady run game, anchored by senior Isi Sofele. This is a balanced team, but should be an addition to the win column for the Buckeyes. WIN
September 22: Vs Alabama-Birmingham: UAB had a win over a ranked team (Southern Miss) in 2011, but was otherwise ineffective against the majority of their opponents. The finished 3-9 overall, and should not do anything next year to improve their losing trend over the past 7 years. Barring any acts of God, this is another win for MeyerBuckeye Nation. WIN
September 29: @ Michigan State: And now the fun begins. Big Ten season in a year when Ohio State is unable to be fully rewarded at the end. If the team remains focused and motivated, this game will be a huge lift for the players. If they let this slip, it could be an interesting road. Sparty loses its senior QB, Kirk Cousins (finally). Although I have never been overly impressed with his play against OSU, his leadership and intangibles are evident in the team’s demeanor. MSU also graduates its top FOUR pass catchers from last year, so look for Dantonio to rely very heavily on the legs of Le’Veon Bell and Edwin Baker. I think these losses and a much more experienced Buckeye defense (which held Sparty to 10 points this year, with the key players) should result in a B1G win for OSU. WIN
October 6: Vs Nebraska: This game is my wildcard on the schedule, and although I think OSU is fully capable of taking down Nebraska, the Cornhuskers will have a very experienced and tested team coming in Columbus. They lose three offensive linemen and some help on defense, but return most skill positions. I’m going to go against the grain here and give the Huskers a tough win in the Shoe in 2012. LOSS
October 13: @ Indiana: Oh, poor, sweet Indiana. Any anger, disappointment and frustration built up from the Nebraska game will most certainly end with your demise. On the other hand, if OSU beats the Huskers in Columbus, I’d expect a fight out of the Hoosiers, and potentially another scare, before the scarlet and gray spread offense begins to pull away. Either way, the end result is the same. WIN
October 20: Vs Purdue: Urban Meyer will undoubtedly do a double-take at his notes when he sees what’s happened against the Boilermakers in recent years. However, I’d expect Urban to continue the other pattern that’s been occurring and punish Purdue severely for their OT win (i.e. 2009 loss, 2010 49-0 win, 2011 loss…). If OSU improves on its tackling and doesn’t rehire Jim Bollman anytime soon, then this game should be another big win for the Bucks. WIN
October 27: @ Penn State: Led by head coach…(checks notes)…(should I know this guy?)…Bill O’Brien?..the Nittany Lions will have a new direction, so it’s tough to predict just how their team will operate in 2012. I guess if Penn State manages to get Tom Brady to reobtain some eligibility – O’Brien is currently the OC for the Patriots – and recruits him to “Happy Valley,” we may have an idea of what we’ll see, but short of that, I have very few guesses. O’Brien has little time to organize a coaching staff, develop offensive and defensive strategies and schemes, and build his team. In that little amount of time, I think that Penn State can remain an average team, based on school tradition and history, but that it’d be far-fetched for them to expect big things, including a win over the Buckeyes (or Alabama, Nebraska or Wisconsin for starters). WIN
November 3: Vs Illinois: The Fighting Illini were a good team in 2011, until they played against someone with a pulse. Illinois won its first 6 games, lost the last 6, and won an ugly bowl game against UCLA. They return Nathan Scheelhaase at QB, but lose several big players, including star WR AJ Jenkins and several leaders on their defense. If OSU could beat Illinois this year, in Champaign, with those pieces in place by completing 1 pass… 1 freakin’ pass …then we should be fine this fall. WIN
November 17: @ Wisconsin: This game, like the Nebraska game, is a tough call for me. I think that the loss of Russell Wilson will certainly slow down the Badgers’ offense next season. However, with the recent announcement by Montee Ball that he will be returning for his senior year, I’d expect them to rely heavily on their powerful and explosive run game. This alone, combined with their maturing defense, should propel them to the Leaders Division championship. For that reason, and the fact that this game will be in Camp Randall, I’m going to give the early edge to Wisconsin. LOSS
November 24: Vs M*chigan: The Game. Hoke vs. Meyer. Flip a coin for this one, because M*chigan will be in their second year of Hoke’s staff and their new systems, and OSU will be running Urban Meyer’s spread offense. The difference maker for me is knowing that this game is OSU’s bowl game, and if M*chigan has another season like 2011, the Bucks will get to play the potential spoiler for them. It should be the first of many battles between these B1G powerhouses. WIN
That puts the Buckeyes at 10-2 and would likely have them in serious contention for a BCS bowl game, if not for the actions of previous players/coaches and the recent postseason ban. I think that 10-2 is a highly attainable goal for this team, and if they are able to match or better these predictions, then Buckeye Nation could be in for a very solid run under Coach Meyer.
So what are your predictions for the 2012 Buckeyes?
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