Last Tuesday, the NCAA announced, one year after the initial news of the “scandal” at Ohio State broke, its punishment for the football team. Most of the punishment was expected, probation, loss of scholarships, relinquishing the 2010 wins, but the one year – 2013 – bowl ban caught Buckeye Nation completely off guard. And they (Buckeye fans) made sure they voiced their disgust with the decision any way they could.
As a Buckeye fan, at first I was a little shocked, there was really no precedent that stated a bowl ban was the necessary punishment for the crime. Then I was mad, thinking we could have imposed a bowl ban for this year on ourselves and that might have been sufficient enough in the eyes of the NCAA. And then, after all of that, I sat down and realized that in reality, this might be a blessing in disguise…
Sure, it will be weird after beating Michigan in The Shoe on November 24th, to not have any bowl game to look forward to. It will be odd not pulling the old scarlet jersey out of the closet sometime around New Years 2013. And it is disappointing that Urban Meyer’s first year in Columbus he will not be allowed to possibly turn the ship around and get back to a big time bowl game. But like I said early, when I sat down and looked at things I realized that it was not necessarily all that bad.
Realistically speaking, in Myer’s inaugural season manning the ship, the Buckeyes have a lot of question marks. Most notably is the fact that sophomore quarterback Braxton Miller will be learning a new offensive system, and despite Meyer’s proven record of developing dominant dual-threat quarterbacks, it will take some time. Then there is the fact that none of our wide receivers will be older than juniors, and have a lot to prove after an awful 2011 campaign as a unit. The defense will more than likely remain just as solid as it usually is. Young linebackers who are playmakers will be asked to step up and contribute. The defensive line will be a strength, and a lot of youngsters are returning in our secondary.
When I sat down and looked at the 2012 schedule I cringed a little. It is not the most favorable schedule in the Big Ten. Sure there are the usual non-conference cupcakes that we will cut large checks to in return for an easy win. But there is also a Pac12 Cal Bears team coming to visit, regardless of whether they are a second tier Pac12 team they are still not in the MAC or some other mid-major conference. Then the Big Ten schedule is grueling; Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State, Wisconsin and as usual Michigan. However, the MSU, PSU, and Wisconsin games are all on the road, and those are all tough places to play. Now, couple that with the paragraph preceding this one and it makes for a very tough road to hoe.
The “blessing” that I mentioned earlier comes in the form of the 2013 football schedule. Remember, 2012 will not see us in either the Big Ten Championship game, or a bowl game. But 2013 has no limitations, and our schedule certainly makes the sky that limit. An early season road trip to Berkeley to play Cal will be a nice early test. And the Buckeyes open the Big Ten with Wisconsin at home in week five. But the Big Ten scheduling rotation has us missing Michigan State, and Nebraska, and playing the likes of Northwester, Iowa, Penn State (at home), Illinois and Indiana before making the much anticipated trek up to the Big House.
Only adding to my excitement about 2013 is the fact that Braxton Miller will then be a junior. Urban Meyer will have two recruiting classes in Columbus (and this year’s already is chalked full of defensive talent). And it will be the second year of the offense running his system. Add that to the scheduling bit, and 2013 looks like the year Buckeye Nation should be salivating over.
For storied program like Ohio State being banned from a bowl game seems like one of the worst punishments it could receive. But, it takes pressure off of a new coach who came in with enormous pressure already. There is no pressure for the Buckeyes next year, but they do have time on their side. Time to develop an offense, time to develop young and talented players, and time to gain experience without having to worry about a loss here or a loss there. Meyer will obviously have to keep his group very focused, many youngsters who do not see the prize at the end of the tunnel might lose interest, but his reputation speaks for itself in that area. And it all shapes up for a BCS run in year two of Urban Meyer’s tenure.
And I am sure Buckeye Nation remembers how well year two of the last regime went…
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