2014 UM v OSU Matchup
After watching a hard fought close game I can’t help but think towards the future. I’m curious how the board thinks we matchup with OSU next year. We graduate our two offensive tackles who are likely replaced by Braden and Mags, and obviously our interior gets a year older. We lose Gallon and Fitz who seem likely replaced Darboh and Green. On defense we lose Washington and Black who are likely replaced Pipkins and Henry. And, we lose Gordon who is likely replaced by a combination of DBs like Thomas, Clark, and Peppers. I think I know what we’ve got with Michigan. I’m more curious about OSU.
They obviously lose Hyde who will likely be replaced by Smith I think. They lose Brown who will be replaced by Wilson as maybe a step up. They return Devin Smith and their TE, but they lose 4 offensive linemen. This is what I’m most interested in. Who starts for them next year on the offensive line and how will they fare? They are not quite as big as their predecessors. They will also be young and pretty similar in age to our line next year.
LT – Baldwin (Jr)
LG – Elfein (Fr)
C – Boren (So)
RG – Brown (So), O’Connor (RS Fr?)?
RT – Decker (So)
On defense they bring back the entire front 7 unless Shazier decides to enter the draft, which he may. Behind him on the depth chart is freshman, Trey Johnson. In the backfield they will lose Roby, Brown, and Barnett. They do have a lot of young talented DBs, but they don’t have much experience.
From what I can see this is a good chance to beat OSU in Columbus. They lose many of their playmakers on defense (especially if Shazier enters the draft). Granted they have a lot of young talent on the defensive line in Bosa, Spence, and Washington. And, of course they bring back Braxton Miller. But, without a proven running back and without a veteran offensive line, will Miller be as effective? How do you think our defensive line matches up against their offensive line?
November 30th, 2013 at 10:32 PM ^
For starters he called an outstanding game today against a heavily favored opponent, scoring six touchdowns.
The rest is longer than I care to type at this hour but I'm in the camp that says it's near impossible to produce an effective offensive gameplan with a completely ineffective interior O-Line. There just aren't any credible options. That line started to play much better today and look what happened.
I'm aware this isn't the popular opinion around here. However either way I think Borges is coming back
December 1st, 2013 at 9:26 AM ^
Shouldn't he have been able to get better production from the offensive line? Did the offensive line change from today and ND compared to MSU, Iowa, Nebraska, etc? Why are you so high on one good performance, but not concerned with all the poor ones? What about Gardner's issues and the general regression of the offense minus Indiana (poor defensive talent) and OSU?
December 1st, 2013 at 10:21 AM ^
I'm not high on one good performance and I'm not saying I want him or don't want him back, just pointing out the reasons he probably will be. ND was early and we hadn't been scouted for these flaws yet. Yesterday the O-Line took a major step forward and it opened everything up.
That's not to say Borges shouldn't have done more to compensate but with the middle of the line cratering repeatedly it was going to be difficult.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:42 PM ^
that our defense to be better next year compared to this year since we don't lose much in the way of senior talent and we get Peppers(hopefully).
Offense is an interesting question since we lose Gallon and Lewan. I think our running game will be much improved but our passing game may take a step back. It'll all depend on how much Drake Harris and Amara Darboh live up to their billing. Hoping a more experienced & healthy Gardner will be the difference maker.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:41 PM ^
I think Gallon will be a big loss for us next year, and we lose Dileo also don't we? The receiving core might not be as strong as this year, but hopefully Funchess + Chesson/Darboh can make up the difference
November 30th, 2013 at 9:43 PM ^
December 1st, 2013 at 1:34 AM ^
Darboh, Chesson, Funchess, Butt, Drake Harris, Hayes/Norfleet in the slot, DaMario Jones, Khalid Hill, Csonte York, Jaron Dukes, Freddy Canteen, Maurice Ways, Ian Bunting (who I think will RS so he can fill out his huge Gronk like frame better)
Yeah, I think we're just fine at WR and TE.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:44 PM ^
Something tells me the boys, Canteen (WR) and Watson (CB), from the ECA are going to have a great college career. They are also EE's.
I'm on the Canteen wagon for 2014+.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:48 PM ^
https://vine.co/v/hD6dIgE9hew
November 30th, 2013 at 10:27 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:46 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 10:03 PM ^
I am seeing a lot of counting on true freshman in the comments. Have we not learned anything from Dymonte Thomas...and Green really. These are a top 1 RB and a top 100 player and both have limited contributions.
I hope Drake Harris and Peppers contribute next year but thinking difference makers for an entire unit will come from a freshman - whatever the ranking - is a big leap of faith. I expect these kids to be decent contributors but not the difference makers as freshman as some of you guys are already penciling them in.
To that end I think Stribling - from the snippets I have seen - is going to be an excellent senior and junior at UM. I think Blake was an excellent freshmen. But were these 'difference makers' as freshmen who changed the complexion of a unit? Same for Thomas, same for Green. Just be reasonable people...when you assess the team assess the sophomores thru seniors as a unit and then you throw on freshman contributing as icing. Like Butt - he is icing, coming into his own very late in the season after sporadic but solid contributions all year.
Also Black has been a major contributor this year and will be a loss. Henry is coming on. Pipkins still the jury is out. Cam Gordon - while above average and not great is a loss. We saw that today when we trotted out Furman + Avery. Next year you will have Wilson + I guess Dymonte who has nearly zero playing experience now. These are not things to gloss over. The LBs should be stout - love the early returns of Gedeon.
As for the matchups - OSU takes a step back at OL and RB, and I expect their defense to be better even if they lose Shazier since they are very young in the unit. But does it matter - we see today it doesnt matter much head to head. If will mean they are more apt to be upset somewhere along the line. I just hope we can count on a day when UM is favored on the road at Columbus. Playing at home vs the road means a lot at this age of player, as we see with UM almost every week.
November 30th, 2013 at 10:12 PM ^
I agree with you that we should not count on true freshman. Peppers is different however. He is the best player in the country and is already bigger and faster as a kid than any of our DBs on our team. He is bigger than our safeties and faster than our cornerbacks. He will be the best DB we have next year. I do think Stribling has a bright future. And, I'm not counting on Harris next year because he is too small at like 174lbs. I am also concerned about the safety position. In order for us to be favored in Columbus we need a lot to happen. Maybe when we have a returning starting QB, experienced lines on both sides, and when our talent is older. Offhand that sounds like 2016. Is that too depressing?
December 1st, 2013 at 1:39 AM ^
Peppers is the number 2 player in the entire country.
And Green became the starter before the season ended. Over a 5th year senior.
December 1st, 2013 at 9:40 AM ^
If you go by recruiting rankings there is a big difference between Green and Peppers. I only have ESPN access, so I can only speak to their rankings, but I can't imagine the others are far off. Green is a 4-star and Peppers is a 5-star. Green is an 87 and Peppers is a 95. That is 7 points in the rankings. That is like comparing Chris Bryant to David Dawson. Peppers is much higher ranked than Green. Both would be considered elite players. But, they are also completely different. Green is a big, strong kid with good speed, but if you look at his recruiting profile he still has weaknesses like pad level, getting tackled low, balance, and not a home run threat in terms of speed. Peppers on the other hand has the speed and foot skills of a CB and the body of a safety. He can play RB, catch the ball, and return kicks and punts. He is physical and is a good tackler and has good coverage skills. He has the ability to play a number of positions and is a mismatch at all of them. Plus he has the confidence and intelligence to go with it. He has no weakness. Green is by all accounts a good player. Peppers is a star.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:44 PM ^
Smith will probably be 4th on the Buckeye depth chart at RB. Elliot will almost certainly be #1, then Dunn and Ball (in either order), then Smith.
Fickell will most likely be gone, either as a Head Coach somewhere or else being relieved of his duties (probably the former). It's difficult to say what their defense will be like with a completely new coordinator. The LBs have been really weak (like, below average B10, not just below average OSU) for a few years now, and they're going to struggle unless that gets fixed. It will probably need to be fixed without Shazier, who IMHO would be foolish not to turn pro.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:46 PM ^
Ohio loses a lot on offense, but they have Urban and his scheme back. Rod Smith has not shown to be nearly the same Hyde became, but they have a lot of receiving experience.
They have a lot coming back on defense, but they have their defensive coaches coming back.
On D, their line will be excellent and deep. Bosa is a stud, an unlikeable bro and perfect for Ohio, but a stud nonetheless. LBs, meh except maybe Perry takes a step up. (I bet Shazier goes to the NFL.) The MLB Grant was not much this year, but he's young enough that he could developWere they in nickel the entire time? I can't recall an LB name called other than Perry and Shazier. They'll have talent in the secondary, but only Grant with experience. Two new starting safeties, we'll see.
December 1st, 2013 at 8:54 AM ^
December 1st, 2013 at 11:23 AM ^
I don't think that's a foregone conclusion, is it? Meyer probably wouldn't make any changes until after the bowl game but OSU's defense has been their weak link the last two years.
November 30th, 2013 at 9:47 PM ^
It should be noted that you are listing the players' current experience, not what it will look like next year.
Next year, OSU's OL will look something like:
LT – Baldwin (Rs Sr) / chance of JuCo Mavety if he picks OSU
LG – Elfein (Rs So) [note: replaced M. Hall today]
C – Boren (Jr) [note: played a good deal early in year due to Linsley injury]
RG – Farris (Rs Jr) / Underwood (Rs Jr)
RT – Decker (Jr) [returning starter]
It will be a dropoff from 4 seniors on the OL, but not terribly different from the experience level of the 2012 OL.
November 30th, 2013 at 10:02 PM ^
Yes, I gave this year's eligibility so as not to confuse anyone. One thing to note however, is most of OSU's interior lineman instead of being like 6'4" or 6'5" and 315lbs are 6'2" or 6'3" and 290-295. Those are their current listed heights/weights so it may have been in fall camp and they may go up by next year too. But, they should have at least 2 interior lineman that are in their 3rd year.
December 1st, 2013 at 8:52 AM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:49 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:50 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 9:58 PM ^
If Devin plays the way he did today, there isn't a team on the schedule next year that can beat us.
November 30th, 2013 at 10:00 PM ^
Wait... what?? They have ANOTHER Boren? Dios mios... Hopefully we give Boren #3 a losing record against M...
November 30th, 2013 at 10:15 PM ^
November 30th, 2013 at 11:37 PM ^
It all comes down to how the offense responds to losing Lewan and Gallon. Our defense should be the best in the big ten. I think we should get a pretty good combination on the OL out of Kugler, Bosch, Tuley-Tillman, Magnuson, Kalis, Glasgow, Dawson, Samuelson, Bryant, Fox, Braden.
The schedule is ridiculously weak.
December 1st, 2013 at 3:24 AM ^
December 1st, 2013 at 8:25 AM ^
will not start next season, I think he is a project who could do GREAT things but needs a lot of work.
December 1st, 2013 at 12:01 AM ^
December 1st, 2013 at 12:15 AM ^
December 1st, 2013 at 9:17 AM ^
I have to say that statements like this about games which are basically a year away and made with no foreknowledge of how the 2014 team will perform (as it will not be completely the same) tend to bother me somewhat. The road record to date may not be impressive, but we don't really know what the introduction of new players, the maturity in the preferred schemes, the changes in experience and the corresponding changes on other teams will do to next year's results, home or away. These sort of pronouncements, at least to me, simply come across as unconfident at the present time.
December 1st, 2013 at 4:38 PM ^
We may be awful again on the road, but we may also turn a corner. At some point I fully believe we will turn a corner as our youth gains experience and our young talent gets more entrenched as the guys contrubuting in the 2-deep, it's just a matter of when. I think we will take a big step towards this next year and win a few big road games. In another year after that as our offensive moves from capable to good I think will continue forward with this. Then again, I could be wrong, but I'll remain hopeful for now.
December 1st, 2013 at 11:17 AM ^
you are correct
December 1st, 2013 at 12:10 AM ^
John Falk reset the clock this evening
December 1st, 2013 at 12:13 AM ^
December 1st, 2013 at 12:15 AM ^
December 1st, 2013 at 9:13 AM ^
He could be a pretty good RB in the NFL, IMO.
December 1st, 2013 at 1:28 AM ^
I doubt it - he missed a few games this season and his passing still needs work. I think he comes back. Shazier might be gone, though.
December 1st, 2013 at 8:40 AM ^
He would be foolish not to go. Coming back after losing Hyde and 4 stating o-linemen would be a recipe for disaster for him.
December 1st, 2013 at 12:20 AM ^
December 1st, 2013 at 12:21 AM ^
December 1st, 2013 at 1:06 AM ^
OSU's offense is going to be crazy young/inexperienced next year. The majority of starters are graduating, and so are some important two-deep players.
QB
- Kenny G - 5th-year senior
RB
- Carlos Hyde - Senior
- Jordan Hall - 5th Year Senior
WR
- Corey Brown - Senior
- Devin Smith - RS Senior
OL
- Jack Mewhort - RS Senior
- Andrew Norwell - Senior
- Marcus Hall - RS Senior
- Corey Linsley - RS Senior
Plus, Braxton has been rumored to consider leaving in order to provide for his newborn.
December 1st, 2013 at 3:20 AM ^
December 1st, 2013 at 8:47 AM ^
December 1st, 2013 at 7:23 AM ^
December 1st, 2013 at 12:48 PM ^
Well, given that their "young" Oline next year (see Shaun's post above) will all be in their 3rd-5th year of college, you're probably right that they won't have the same level of growing pains that Michigan's Oline had this year.
December 1st, 2013 at 4:43 PM ^
Yeah, I never expected them to be as bad as UM has been this year. But, I do think instead of pretty much winning the majority of matchups this season, we can win the majority next season. They won't be the worst offensive line in the conference like UM was, but they won't be the best like they were this year either. They only have to be bad enough so that UM can stop the run and pressure the QB with four. I think there's a solid chance that happens next year.
December 1st, 2013 at 8:24 AM ^
I think we finally win in Columbus next year and in 2015 we begin a winning streak finally against them. We will be out of the transition by next season at this time. We are due for a win, we should have a winning streak against them now having blown last years game and a chance yesterday. We will be fine. I still am hoping for some offensive changes to help with the development of this team. I think Miller will be back and that freshmen running back will b tough because honestly, whoever is in the backfield for ohio gets immediately better because of #5.