Ohio State Buckeyes
Big Ten Conference
The Ohio State Buckeyes wrapped up a turbulent Big Ten season with a tightly contested loss to their arch rival, the Michigan Wolverines. Urban Meyer has been announced as the new coach but the current expectation is that Luke Fickel will stay on staff. With Fickel at the helm, the Buckeyes, although they did not have their best season, still posted a 6-6 overall record and are headed to a bowl game. This team has fought hard throughout the season and their five Big Ten losses are by seven points or less. This is a talented team that could provide a tough matchup in a bowl game.
2011 Record: 6-6, 3-5
Last Bowl Appearance: 2010 Sugar Bowl vs. Arkansas (W 31-26)
Big Wins: 10/15 at Illinois (17-7), 10/29 VS. Wisconsin (33-29)
Bad Losses: 9/17 at Miami (6-24), 11/112 at Purdue (23-26)
Coach: Luke Fickell (6-6 at Ohio State, 6-6 overall)
Bowl Record: 0-0 at Ohio State, 0-0 overall
Offensive Coordinator: Jim Bollman
Defensive Coordinator: Jim Heacock
Strengths:
Ohio State may have only won three games in the Big Ten, but with their biggest loss by just seven points to Nebraska, they were in every game they played. A team that is able to do this has a lot of strengths, and the Buckeyes are no different. First and foremost they have an outstanding defense. Their defense ranks 27th in the nation, giving up 20.8 points per game even after they surrendered 40 points to a talented Michigan team. The defense still ranks 15th in the nation in total yards per game and their rushing defense 26th. This defense also is very good at creating turnovers and their offense does a good job hanging onto the ball, as the team posted a turnover margin of .5 which is good for 27th in the nation. Offensively, besides protecting the ball, the Buckeyes have a great rushing attack. The attack is spearheaded by dual threat quarterback Braxton Miller and senior running back Dan Herron. Miller, who also threw for 997 yards and 11 scores, rushed for 695 yards and seven touchdowns. Herron, who was suspended to the start the season, came back to rush for 593 yards and three touchdowns. This attacked averages 195.4 yards per game, which is 28th in the nation. This team has the ability to play with any team in the nation and make it a game due to their great defense, their ability to protect the football, and their ability to pound the rock and move the chains. Do not be fooled by their 6-6 record, this is a very talented football team.
Weaknesses:
Although Ohio State’s rushing attack may be scary, their passing offense certainly is not. They only average 124.1 yards per game through the air, which is 116th in the nation. In fact, their passing attack is so awful, that despite ranking 28th in the nation in rushing yards per game, they are 108th in the nation in total offense. Freshman Braxton Miller has struggled through the air, completing just 56 percent of his passes on the year. This is a big reason that their offense stalls a lot, which results in the Buckeyes scoring just 25.1 points per contest, which is 76th in the nation. Their biggest issue, outside of their passing game, is their offensive line protection. The Buckeyes ranked dead last in the Big Ten in sacks allowed per game, and they hardly ever throw the football. This does not bode well for them when they fall behind in games or attempt to make a comeback late in a ball game. With the Buckeyes inability to move the ball, or score in general, they create a lot of pressure on their defense, which makes their defensive stats all the more impressive.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Braxton Miller, QB, 695 yards
Passing: Braxton Miller, QB, 997 yards
Receiving: Devin Smith, WR, 247 yards
Tackles: C.J. Barnett, S, 69
Sacks: John Simon, DE, 7.0
Interceptions: Orhian Johnson, S, 3; Bradley Roby, CB, 3
2011 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 195.67 (28th in nation, 4th in conference)
Passing Offense: 124.08 (116, 12)
Total Offense: 319.75 (107, 11)
Scoring Offense: 25.08 (76, 8)
Rushing Defense: 142.42 (53, 6)
Pass Defense: 186.17 (15, 5)
Total Defense: 328.58 (23, 6)
Scoring Defense: 20.75 (27, 6)
Turnover Margin: .33 (32, 4)
Sacks: 1.92 (56, 5)
Sacks Allowed: 3.33 (117, 12)
