Well last season was mediocre because there were too many people trying to make one play every single play and we spit and sputtered all season. It came to a crash against Clemson. I think that some pieces fell into place when Luke went to Cincy, Warriner went to another Big Ten School, and we brought in Kevin Wilson and another QB coach.
What I hope takes place this year is we take more chances down the field, but that is predicated on development of wide receivers and offensive line protection. I have hope that this new QB coach and wide receiver coach are working on timing. Timing is when the QB throws the ball in relation to where the wide receivers are down the field. Timing is important because that gives the offensive line and blockers a set amount of time to block. The longer the QB has the ball, the longer blockers must block and can end up in holding penalties, etc.
Before I do get to season expectations I think it is important to say that there is irony in playing the last team of your offensive coordinator, but I don't think that will have an outcome on the game. Now for expectations......
I hope that Urban allows the receivers to stretch their legs this year..... There is not one team we will play either regular season or post that will respect us if we don't have a down field passing game. Devin Smith was that guy for a long time, but we've had no one since. We will not get respect until we have someone who can stretch the field. Stretching the field enables everything else.
The first couple years of Tom Herman was met with mediocrity. We did not do anything down the field until the 2014-2015 season and look what happened, a National Championship. I am not expecting record breaking throwing yards nor offensive performances because the team needs time to gel and that takes time. I think the Buckeyes will struggle through the first three games, than get better and better as the season goes on. I am hoping for a return to Indianapolis because I think it's pitiful to only have one Big Ten Championship since Urban came here.
I think that we go undefeated this year and win the Championship because I think Urban understands that we need to play freely to win. Playing freely means we don't play percentages, we take chances and mold game plans to team weakness. I think that JT needs to be able to run when needed, instead of staying behind the line of scrimmage because we supposedly have so many weapons. Defenses will send blitzes if they know JT will stay in the pocket.
Just to cut this short, this season has the feeling of the 2002 season where most of our wins were close before we went and beat Miami for the title.
