Week Six Know Your Opponent: Is This Urban Meyer's Best Ohio State Team Yet?
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J.T. Barrett will try and get the Buckeyes to 5-0 when Ohio State takes on Indiana Saturday
Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Head Coach: Urban Meyer (5th Year at OSU)
Overall: 158-27 (.848) 13th year
At Ohio State 54-4 (32-1)
Bowl Appearances: 4
Last Year’s Record: 12-1 (7-1)
This Year’s Record: 4-0 (1-0)
Postseason Appearances Since 2000: 17 Appearances (10-7 Record)
Mascot: Brutus Buckeye
Colors: Scarlet and Grey
Outfitter: Nike
National Titles: 8
Conference Titles: 37
Heisman Winners: 7
Fun Fact:
Buckeye Grove
Begun in 1934, each player who wins "first-team All-America" honors is recognized by the planting of a buckeye tree and installation of a plaque in Buckeye Grove, now located near the southwestern corner of Ohio Stadium next to Morrill Tower. Trees are planted in ceremonies held prior to the Spring Game. All 126 Buckeye All-Americans dating back to 1914 have been so honored.
1. J.T. Barrett is Back, and He Doesn’t Have to Split Time
While the nation has been enthralled with the play of Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, Ohio State’s junior quarterback J.T. Barrett has been putting together his own Heisman worthy campaign. Last season Barrett split time with Cardale Jones, who led the team to a national title after Barrett was injured against Michigan in 2014. In the eyes of many it was a situation that brought the Buckeyes slightly back to the rest of the pack. Whatever the reason, the quarterback situation was less than ideal last year. This season there is no controversy as to who will be behind center in Columbus. Barrett has been as close to flawless as one can be. Barrett has completed 68.6 percent of his passes for 888 yards and 14 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Barrett is also a major threat on the ground. He has run for 205 yards and three more scores and really has the ability to extend the play and find one of his talented playmakers down field.
2. The Buckeyes May Be Young, But They Are Hungry and Dangerous
After losing 12 players to the 2016 NFL Draft, you would think the Buckeyes would be due to have a rebuilding year. Instead these young Buckeyes look to be Urban Meyer’s best team yet. That’s impressive seeing that OSU is 54-4 under Meyer including a National Title in 2014, but this team is hungry and have plenty left to prove before they make the leap to the next level. Sophomore receiver Noah Brown, who missed 2015 with a leg injury, has the catch of the year so far to go along with 10 grabs for 149 yards and five touchdowns. Freshman running back Mike Weber is averaging 7.28 yards per carry.
On defense sophomore cornerback Marshon Lattimore already has three interceptions including a pick six while freshman Nick Bosa is following in his older brother Joey’s footsteps and becoming a force along the defensive line. Bosa has seven total tackles, two sacks, and 2.5 tackles for a loss in his rookie season.
3. Good-bye Ezekiel Elliott, Hello Curtis Samuel and Mike Weber
Hoosier fans have had nightmares of former Buckeye running back Ezekiel Elliott running wild in Memorial Stadium since last season’s Big Ten opener. The good news for IU fans is that he is now playing for the Dallas Cowboys. The bad news, Ohio State can plug in Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel and not really miss a beat.
Weber, a freshman, is the Buckeyes’ number one option at tailback. He has rushed the ball 68 times for 495 yards and two touchdowns. However, he is not much of a receiving threat out of the backfield with only three catches for nine yards.
That is where junior Curtis Samuel comes in. Samuel is the Percy Harvin of this offense. He has blazing speed and can score from anywhere on the field. He is the Buckeyes’ leading receiver with 23 receptions for 345 yards and three touchdowns. He is also a threat on the ground, rushing for 328 more yards and two scores. The Indiana defense will have their hands full with these two.
4. The Defense Will Snatch The Ball Away Early and Often
In just four games thus far in 2016 the Buckeyes have recorded nine interceptions, four of them returned for touchdowns, and have recovered two fumbles. The Hoosiers have had issues with turning the ball over on offense and you can bet the farm that Ohio State will look to be aggressive and force a couple turnovers early. Defensive backs Malik Hooker and the aforementioned Lattimore are tied with the team lead in interceptions with three each.
Turnovers can turn Indiana’s trip to the ‘Shoe into another nightmare that could haunt the Hoosiers for another year, so Lagow and Company will have to put extra emphasis on that this week.