The 11W Mailbag is the only stop you need for answers to your most pressing questions about Ohio State and what lies ahead. Have a question? Ask it, and if we can, we'll answer it.
Who's your MVP? — Hovenaut
Putting me on the spot right out of the gate. I'm actually going to have a story on previous spring game MVPs and candidates for this year's Friday, but I'll pick just one to answer this question.
It's going to be somebody who plays a bunch of snaps — a young player — so I'll go with early enrollee running back J.K. Dobbins. He's looked pretty explosive in the practices we've seen and I think he'll get plenty of opportunities to carry the ball. I'll say he finds the end zone twice and goes for nearly 100 yards on the ground.
If the offense succeeds in throwing the ball around the yard, will that be a vindication of the quarterbacks and wide receivers or an indictment of the new defensive backs? — BuckminsterFullback
I'm not sure it will be either, to be honest. Remember, it's a spring game so everything needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
I'd expect both offensive and defensive schemes to be overly simple — not a ton of blitzes, etc. — and because of that, the advantage probably goes to the offense. Still, I think you'll see some good battles between wide receivers who clearly have something to prove and the defensive backs who are fighting for playing time.
The quarterbacks will have a huge spotlight on them with the new system. All of us want to see how J.T. has improved, Burrow and Haskins fight for the backup spot and Tate being Tate, who are you looking forward to seeing the most? — SFlaBuckeye13
Let me just say that I'd be stunned if there's a fair amount of snaps to judge J.T.'s improvement. I just don't see how he plays any more than a couple of series.
The real story with the quarterbacks will be the play of Joe Burrow, Dwayne Haskins and Tate Martell. This game is for them, not Barrett. With that said, I want to see Haskins play in this setting. Remember, this is his first time going through spring ball and nobody has seen him play in a collegiate setting yet outside of some practice throws on highlight videos. I think I know what Burrow can do based on last year's spring game and limited appearances last year and I think he's really good. I want to see what Haskins has got.
Who do you see establishing themselves on the right side of the line? Will it continue to be Knox and Prince? — Aphilly02
Demetrius Knox was not at the last practice we were at, which was weird, and we didn't receive an update on why but he's been the first-team right guard for the majority of the spring and I'd expect him to keep that spot heading into fall. I think Matt Burrell certainly can challenge as can Malcolm Pridgeon, though coaches continue to say Pridgeon's biggest issue is learning the playbook. Burrell has had a good spring speaking to players and coaches.
I'd be stunned if anybody took Prince for the right tackle spot. I just don't think there's anybody on this roster right now who is ready to start there and I'd also be surprised if he didn't have a much better season than last year.
Over/Under of tight end touchdown catches in the Spring Game? — BeatTTUN
If your guess is three I'm going under that. I'll set it at 1.5 and I'll say under. I'll guess Luke Farrell gets one and that's the only tight end to snag a touchdown pass.
Will we get to see the 5-2-4 with Hubbard at LB/Edge? — 1MechEng
I'd be pretty surprised if Ohio State put that on film. It's a fun thing to talk about and discuss, but just don't see the benefit in them putting that package in for the spring game.
I do think it makes sense for the regular season, but not Saturday.
When are teams announced? — JakeStevensIsSwag
I believe Ohio State will release the spring game rosters at some point Friday. That's what happened last year, anyway. When that happens, they'll be on here on Eleven Warriors for all to see.
Over/under number on attendance — REDROCKER1013
I'll set it at 80,000. As you remember, Ohio Stadium is down 20,000 seats due to C Deck renovations, so the capacity is only 84,000. It doesn't seem like there's as much buzz around this year's game and that's probably because the program isn't pushing for 100,000 to attend because, well, it's not possible.
I'll put it at 80,000, though, and say it's slightly over that mark.
Parents of the players have expressed concern about the Circle Drill in the past. I imagine it will continue because it does a great job of getting the players fired up. Have any player or coach injuries occurred from this drill? Also, what 11W staff member would fare the best in a circle drill against other 11W staff? — Meek
No idea if anybody has ever been injured as a result of the Circle Drill, but it's something every football team does to some degree. Contact is part of the sport and Ohio State has several coaches and staff members who step in and separate the players before anything gets too crazy.
As far as 11W staff member Circle Drills are concerned, I'd watch DJ go one-on-one with Kevin, for sure.
Who do you think wins the backup QB battle by fall? — Nikkibucksfan
As of right now, Urban Meyer says Joe Burrow is ahead of Dwayne Haskins and unless something drastic changes that's how they'll head into fall camp. I think by the end of camp it stays the same and Burrow will be the back-up with Haskins as the No. 3. I wouldn't be shocked if Haskins won out, but I think if Burrow held him off this spring he can do the same in the fall.
Who wins your "Oh yeah, I forgot that guy was on the team still" award? — D1145fresh
I think there are a lot of candidates here though I'm not sure how many of them actually play Saturday due to injury or another reason: Johnnie Dixon, Darius Slade, Dylan Thompson, Nick Conner and Kierre Hawkins all come to mind.
