Ohio State Football 2014 – Better, Worse or about the Same?

OFFENSE

The offense will be as good or better in 2014. Why? Braxton Miller, Braxton Miller and Braxton Miller. Not to mention the running game will still be formidable with a deep stable of backs led by sophomore Ezekiel Elliott. The biggest question will be how soon the newbies on the offensive line gel.

The offense will be better at the skill positions. The good news is the offense runs through a very talented QB, Braxton Miller. He can make plays that are absolutely breathtaking. The issue is that although he’s not a small QB (6’2″, 215) he strikes me as being easily injured.

The running back roster is deep and talented, led by Ezekiel Elliott (6’0″, 225). The backfield is stacked with size (Warren Ball, 6’1″ 224 and Bri’onte Dunn, 6’0″ 216) and speed.

The WR’s Evan Spencer, Devin Smith, et al. are developing into playmakers. Some already are at that level. Ohio State has two good, versatile (meaning they can block and catch) TE’s in Jeff Heuerman and Nick Vannett.

The question is the offensive line, which returns one starter (Taylor Decker, 6’7″ 315) and a sometime starter (Pat Elflein, 6’3″ 300). Offensive line coach Ed Warriner will be busy this summer.

Ohio State QB Braxton Miller (Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE)

DEFENSE

The 2014 defense will be better. Why? How can it be any worse? They’re promising more press coverage under Chris Ash along with a renewed attitude to play fast and make thing happen. The defensive line will be one of the most dominating units in the country.

First, the defensive line will be deep and talented. DE’s Noah Spence (6’3″ 252) and Joey Bosa (6’5″ 285) provide the terror factor, but new Defensive Line Coach Larry Johnson, formerly of Penn State, can swing two sets of defensive linemen with very little, if any, drop in talent. This back seven, despite losing star players like Bradley Roby and Ryan Shazier, will play more aggressively under new Defensive Coordinator Chris Ash. We’ll get to see the athletes that we recruited use their athleticism.

Will Ohio State better, worse or about the same as last year?

Better. Why? Attitude. Urban Meyer is trying to get his guys hungry again after being complacent through most of 2013. With the young talent they have, proper motivation puts the sky as the limit. I can see them going 12-0 again, but the game in East Lansing against Michigan State will be a war.

This will be a better team this year. Meyer will have them playing at a high intensity level. This is a team that should be playing angry this year. Until the last two games of last season, the Buckeyes were on a 22-0 tear, then to lose the final two games of the season. That finish is sticking in everyone’s craw and will be a motivator for the Buckeyes to bring the “Juice” for the full 60 minutes each game. The schedule sets up favorably for a 12-0 regular season run. The toss-up game will be the game at Michigan State in early November.

Jason & Ken of The Buckeye Battle Cry provided the information for our Ohio State Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up. For more Ohio State football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Jason & Ken on Twitter @ScriptOhio & @KenKohl1.