Ohio's 2012 Two-Deep Depth Chart Released
Ohio's post-spring starting lineup released today.
Check it out:
All the more reason to tell recruits what they want to hear, and once you have them in your program, show them where they will develop and get playing time.
This is the same thing MSU did with Will Gholston. He wanted to play LB because thats where he played in HS. Everyone in the world knew he was too tall and not quick enough to play LB in college, but they let him come to that conclusion after about two weeks of practice.
I have a feeling that Wyatt Shallman will end up playing something other than RB at UM.
Are we all positive what the definition of runningback is when we talk about Shallman? Any time CC lines up with more than one back in the backfield Shallman is at what is typically considered the full back spot. If he lines up at tailback in college he'll join a very rare, and deeply secret, society of guys who played fullback in high school and lined up at tailback in college. I see him as another Hopkins. But if that's what everyone is refering to by "runningback" when talking about Shallman then I guess it's just an issue of semantics. Or is the confusion between fullback or defensive end?
Playing the U-back requires the player to have some skills catching the ball. Does Shallman possess good hands like Khalid?
of big, physical RBs: Lytle, Wheatley, A-Train, etc. Borges has a history of recruiting them: Williams and Brown, among others. While it may come to pass that Shallman eventually ends up at a different position, I think he will get his shot at RB. I also think our coaches have more integrity than the "bait and switch" recruiting methodology.
Right now Shallman has been recruited to play Stephen Hopkins' role.
Watching their spring game, it appeared that Miller was better, but some of his passes were so far off it was unbelievable and many of them should have been intercepted.
Really galls me to see Hankins at Ohio. Starting, and doing great things. He should have been at Michigan. Can't cry over spilt milk, nor mope around about what could have been. However, I am REALLY glad that Hoke, Mattison, Borges, and the rest of the staff are doing a great job recruiting.
Nothing I didn't really expect...
Obviously Simon, Shazier (pending injuries), and Roby will be no fun to deal with on the defensive side of the ball. I'm much less concerned with the offense. Obviously Stoneburner, Braxton, and Jordan Hall are concerning, but stoneburner should be much less of a concern with our increased athleticism at linebacker/safety, which should also help with Braxton on the scrambling.
Overall, it will be interesting to see how things shape up once the new freshmen hit campus and get settled in.
Any predictions on who will make an immediate impact? I'm thinking Pittman and Washington could compete on the D-Line, but what about offensively?
On defense the only freshman who is going to get playing time right away is Noah Spence. There isn't anyone on the roster who has close to his speed at defensive end, and even though he isn't on campus yet, Meyer has said numerous times that as soon as he is, he is going to get a chance to get on the field and make plays.
Taylor Decker, Kyle Dodson, and Jacoby Boren will all get a chance to make an impact on the offensive line, but unfortunately that is much more a product of our complete lack of quality depth on the offensive line than anything else.
after i read each player, i thought "who cares?"
Everyone talking up OSU's offense can go fuck themselves.
It looks like they will have one of the better defenses in the B1G, and an average offense. However, good defenses usually make average offenses above average. I think they should be the favorite in their division and the The Game should be massively important for BCS invites. Perhaps we see them twice next year...which would be awesome.
When comparing the teams by position I think it looks like this:
- QB - UM
- RB - UM
- WR - UM (Roundtree???)
- TE - OSU
- OL - UM
- DL - OSU
- LB - OSU
- DB/S - even
- Special teams - UM (can't believe I'm writing this)
Several in this list are very close, the biggest differences in talent/experience occur along the lines, which will be very interesting to see.
I can't wait!
QB - Michigan
RB - Michigan
WR - Even
TE - Ohio
OL - Michigan
DL - Ohio
LB - Ohio
CB - Even
S - Even/Ohio (slight)
SPT - Michigan
Coaching - Even (I think both schools have exactly the right person for their program)
I think this is fairly accurate, except for ST and CB. For ST, see my additional post. For CB, I'd take Roby over any secondary player Michigan has. Countess is good, but I wouldn't consider him all-conference or anything. Especially considering the way Posey destroyed your corners.
These kind of comparisons are always interesting. Ohio State fans always overrate our RBs and Michigan fans always overrate Denard. I honestly think Braxton will be at or close to Denard's level by The Game this year. Denard is such an explosive runner, but his passing is a huge question mark without a jump ball receiver.
Why do you give the edge to Michigan on special teams?
I, too, found this interesting. Both our punter and kicker are multi-year starters who have never really struggled. Also I'd say our returners are better. Hall isn't the TD threat that I'd like, but the guy gets great yardage.
"The Game" will be the only game Ohio is playing for next year. We won't see them twice because they are ineligible to play in the B1G championship game.
Very good point. I forgot.
They're going to be a VERY good team...period. They're well coachesd, have a good players and Meyer didn't inherit chopped liver for his system like Rich Rod did. Meyer would've recruited Miller. He wouldn't have recruited Sheridan or Threet.
But that's another discussion.
As for this year's team...I look for them to struggle to learn the system, but by midway through the year I think they're going to be hitting on all cylinders...or at least most.
If Michigan played Ohio week 1, I'd take Michigan by 10-14 points. I think it's a true toss-up as the last game of the year. I give Ohio the edge for being at home.
Personally my random prediction is that Michigan loses to Alabama, runs the table and loses to Ohio.
Ohio loses a game it shouldn't on the first half of the schedule (UCF, MSU, Nebraska) and then they run the table.
It would set up a rematch a week later, but Ohio is ineligible so Michigan, undefeated in its division plays and wins the B1G Conference Championship game and goes to a top BCS bowl (Rose Bowl), just missing a shot at playing for a National Championship.
With USC in the Orange Bowl for the National Championship...Michigan plays someone else, and wins. Finishes 12-2, B1G Reg. Season Co-Champs, B1G Championship Game Winner and with a Rose Bowl victory (...also victories over ND and MSU).
There, now you don't have to watch this season in suspense.