11W Mailbag: Previewing the Fiesta Bowl, Talking the State of Ohio State Basketball and Some Holiday Fun

Realistically, when did the coaching staff start preparing for Clemson — on or before the selection show? What is Clemson's weakness the Buckeyes should be able to expose? — Seattle Linga

The staff started prepping for Clemson the day the matchup was announced. With the extended time off, Ohio State (and every other school playing in a bowl game) puts together a plan to prep for the game. Now, the staff spent some time on the road recruiting the last couple of weeks but that doesn't mean it's not preparing. There's plenty of time to watch film and whatnot on the road.

The first week back at practice didn't feature a ton of game planning stuff, however. The Buckeyes worked on most themselves, on fundamentals — much like how practices are during fall camp. Now, players surely watched film, etc., but there wasn't a ton of game planning going on the last couple of weeks. Preliminary game plan started this week, then the team will have time off next week around Christmas, and then when they return from a brief break, game week preparation begins. 

As far as Clemson's weakness is concerned, there probably isn't one on offense outside of turning the football over (the Tigers have committed 24 on the season). Defensively, however, Clemson seems like it's vulnerable. The Tigers have given up 30-plus points in four of their 13 games. If you can hit big plays, you can score on Clemson.

With the plethora of DBs already committed and possibly one more on the way, is the staff expecting a mass exodus to not only the NFL but also some transfers from the defensive backfield? — SoulPatrol32

I think there could be a transfer or two, but the bottom line is Ohio State lost three players early to the NFL last season and probably will lose three more this year. I know Malik Hooker says right now he plans to come back, but I'm still skeptical about that one. Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore are likely leaving, too, as probably first round picks.

Denzel Ward is already going to be a junior next season, too, and behind him, it's all unproven players for the most part. If there's one year to bring in a monster defensive back class, why not this one?

Cut to the chase: Is wide receiver underdevelopment or quarterback skIlls and protection to blame for passing woes? — Timhbomb

It's all three. There is not one specific reason for the inconsistencies; they are all tied together, in my opinion.

It starts with pass protection. If J.T. Barrett doesn't have time, he has no shot. Nobody does.

But if he does get protection, it's on the wide receivers to get open. For the most part this season, outside of Noah Brown and Curtis Samuel, that hasn't happened a ton. The primary reason for this, to me, stems back to recruiting. There were a couple of years when Ohio State didn't recruit true wide receivers but tried to turn athletes into wide receivers. That's a process, but we're now in Year 3 with guys like Parris Campbell and Terry McLaurin and Year 4 for James Clark. The development just hasn't been there yet. The Buckeyes are getting back to recruiting those true wide receivers, though, with Austin Mack and Binjimen Victor in the latest class and Trevon Grimes and Tyjon Lindsey in 2017.

As far as Barrett goes, he's been inconsistent this year, yes, but he's never been a player to blow you away with his passing ability. He's best through the air when he has playmakers around him that he gets the ball to quickly and they make plays. He's always been an efficient runner, too.

So, to answer your question, it's all three. They have to all work together for this to work the way it's designed.

Will the coaching staff burn Malcolm Pridgeon's redshirt if he outperforms Isaiah Prince in the practices leading up to the CFP? Is there any chance Pridgeon starts at RT over Prince for the Clemson game? — Polarbuck & OSU_ALUM_05

No, I'd be stunned if Pridgeon played in the Fiesta Bowl. 

He's coming off of a significant injury and hasn't played all season. It's hard for me to believe he'd be better than Isaiah Prince right now. If it was 50–50 in fall camp (which I'm not even sure it was; Prince was pegged as the starter before Pridgeon arrived so he had to get beat out), what makes people think Pridgeon would be a better option after sitting for the last five months?

It's highly unlikely the staff burns his redshirt for just one game (maybe two). And yes, he has three years to play two after his transfer.

Do you think Torrance Gibson plays for the Buckeyes again? — Buckguyfan1

No, I do not. It feels like Torrance's career in Columbus is over before it really began. I'm not sure if he'll wind up at the junior college he signed an LOI with or another Division I program, but it doesn't feel like he'll ever play for Ohio State.

I suppose there's always a chance he has a change of heart, though, and if he's reinstated by the university he could always return if he wishes. I just don't personally think he'll be back.

What impact, if any, will Luke Fickell leaving for the Cincinnati head coaching job have on defensive recruiting in general and the incoming class in particular? Any updates on replacing Fickell? — ICouldNotGoFor3 & FitzBuck

Fickell's departure shouldn't have an impact on this incoming recruiting class. Ohio State added Pete Werner at linebacker after the news of Fickell leaving broke and Baron Browning seems rather solid in his commitment as Fickell was honest about his potential departure throughout the recruiting process.

It will be tough to replace him going forward, though, as Fickell's eye for under-the-radar recruits is hard to duplicate. Urban Meyer really values his opinion in that regard. Fickell also has a ton of ties to Ohio high school coaches and that's something he's built up from spending his entire life in this state.

There are no updates as of right now on potential replacements. We talk with Urban Meyer today, however, so perhaps we'll get a timetable of sorts or a plan on how Ohio State plans to attack the opening.

What does the basketball program need to do to put a little juice back into the fans? — Buckeyeman

You're correct in that there isn't much buzz surrounding Ohio State basketball right now. Simply, the team just has to win to change that.

Ohio State basketball fans seem really angry. Like, really angry. I'm not sure why either. Yes, the last couple of years haven't been outstanding, but the team is 8-2 and even after wins it feels like everybody wants the entire staff fired.

It doesn't help the Buckeyes play their home games in what's essentially an empty building almost every night. Building the Schottenstein Center was a mistake in the first place, but there's no atmosphere at home games whatsoever. 

Wins bring more fans — sometimes — but to be honest, not a ton of people care about Ohio State basketball until after football season is over anyway. Win games and people will show up...hopefully.

What is your macro view on the basketball team? — AJW_16

There are legitimate concerns after last year and if Ohio State doesn't make the NCAA tournament this year then for the first time I'll have serious questions about Thad Matta and his job security. But not until then.

I think this year's team should make the NCAA tournament and be in the top third of the Big Ten this season, as well. The Florida Atlantic loss was inexplicable and there's no excuse for that, but at the end of the day the team is 8-2 with two losses coming by a combined four points. They have wins over Providence and UConn already. It's not all bad, I promise.

UCLA will be a huge test and I don't see Ohio State winning the game, but if I told you before the season it would finish the non-conference schedule 10-3 with wins over Providence and UConn you'd probably take that heading into the Big Ten season.

They have to get healthy, too.

If you were qualified to coach any position group, which one would you coach and why? — Unknownmusketeer

Let's be clear I am not qualified to coach a position group, but I played some receiver back in my flag football days so I'll go with that. 

On the court, I'm coaching guards all day long. Shooters shoot.

Are you ready for Christmas (decorations, tree, presents, et al)? — Hovenaut

Hell no. 

I have a tree up at my apartment right now but that's about it. I've gotten a few gifts, but still have plenty more to get. I usually don't wrap up my Christmas shopping until the week before the holiday.

I guess that's next week so I should probably finish, huh?

A good pizza place in Columbus that serves traditional sliced pizza (a triangle)? — Magic Conch Shell

Not sure if you like deep dish or not, but my favorite pizza in Columbus is from Meister's in Grandview. Good pizza is hard to come by here, you're right. Adriatico's is another one of my favorites, but their thick pizza is square sliced so not sure if that's what you're looking for.

Savage Tiger vs Local Team Ultra aka The Blogger we love to know DJ Byrnes in a Steel Cage Match? Who you got? — BuckeyeSki

Get dumped then, Savage Tiger.

Bet the rent money on D.J.

Favorite holiday tradition, Christmas song, and Christmas movie? — Mastro16

I go to my aunt's house on Chrismas Eve and see a bunch of my family I only get to see once or twice a year so that's probably my favorite family tradition.

My favorite Chrismas song? Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, I guess. Not a huge Christmas music guy, to be honest.

My favorite Christmas movie? Either Home Alone or Christmas Vacation.