It's about got-dang time.
After an offseason that saw roughly 47 Buckeyes selected in the NFL Draft ahead of a fall camp overflowing with position battles for starting spots, the 2016 season sits just one sleep away.
The Buckeyes start the season in the top six in the polls despite a bevy of unproven talent and starting Saturday, those players begin their quest to become proven.
What can we expect from Mike Weber? Which true freshman might make a name for himself? How will J.T. Barrett perform with a largely new batch of targets?
For insight on those questions and more, we turn to Eric, Johnny and Andrew (Lind version) in the season debut of the 11W roundtable. Get some, fellas.
There's been a ton of talk Ohio State's roster featuring 44 true or redshirt freshmen. Sticking with the true freshmen which is your pick to have the most talked about debut? Or will this be another year where Urban talks about playing true freshmen but it doesn't really pan out that way?
Eric: I think the easy picks are Austin Mack because he plays wide receiver and therefore has an excellent chance to touch the ball or Nick Bosa due to his family name. However, I think we need to talk about Michael Jordan. The last Ohio State offensive lineman to start from the outset as a true freshman, Orlando Pace, just got inducted into the Hall of Fame. Is Jordan destined for a similar path? Probably not, but it is still wild to think that with all those top ranked recruiting classes waiting in the wings that someone from the 2016 group will start up front and protect J.T. Barrett.
Jordan will likely only hear his name in the news if he screws up. He is definitely someone worth watching Saturday, however.
Johnny: At some point freshman are going to have to enter into the playing time conversation simply because of the kind of normal attrition that happens through injuries or play level or whatever. Michael Jordan in particular could see some impact on the offensive line, which is a big area of need. With that said, the oldest trope in the book for coaches that are seen as renegades or wildcards or edgy as hell is that screw it, they'll play anybody as long as they are good enough.
This is pretty much patently false in almost every favorable situation. I've talked about this before, but any coach worth their salt will, 99 times out of 100, trust a slightly less talented upperclassman over a marginally better freshman, unless that freshman is a world-beater or something. And while the last few recruiting classes have been fantastic, there probably isn't anyone in them that will turn the college football world on its head.
Andrew: Unless the staff wants to face a scholarship crunch for the second-consecutive year, Meyer will be forced to play a number of true freshman just to get their eligibility clock ticking. But when it comes to one that will have the greatest impact this season, the obvious answer is offensive guard Michael Jordan. The 6-foot-7, 310-pounder may be light on experience, but he has a four-inch height and 30-pound weight differential on Bowling Green's defensive front. That kind of size advantage will allow another freshman to shine on Saturday.
Thinking about redshirt freshmen, the one Meyer is counting on the most might be Mike Weber. What kind of debut might we expect from the former Detroit Cass Tech product?
Johnny: He's The Dude now, and he'll be given carries commensurate with being The Dude. Urban is smart enough to know that his depth at skill positions is way, way too thin for anyone to feel super confident about a banged-up team going into some late season road games, but one area that could potentially cover for others is at running back. Weber is going to have to be a workhorse in 2016, and against Bowling Green you're going to see the beginnings of that. I wouldn't be shocked to see 25 carries or more.
Andrew: The coaching staff may be asking too much of Mike Weber to fill Ezekiel Elliott's shoes right away, but he showed flashes of that kind of potential in practice and scrimmages. Ohio State doesn't stand a chance at Oklahoma if the read-option isn't hitting on all cylinders, so getting Weber as many live touches as possible is paramount on Saturday. One hundred yards on 15-20 carries should be easily attainable in his debut.
Eric: Weber is going to start at running back even though Ohio State listed him as a co-starter with Curtis Samuel on its depth chart. Urban Meyer announced Wednesday that Weber is the guy. I expect Samuel to be at H-back when things get going Saturday.
That being said, I think Weber scores once and puts together a nice day on the ground in his first career game. Ohio State is going to let a bunch of players touch the ball Saturday so he will certainly get his chances. I just don't think he is prepared to be the bell cow that Ezekiel Elliott and Carlos Hyde were before him, especially with how Samuel, Barrett, Dontre Wilson and others also need to touch the ball.
The wide receiver group has a ton of question marks despite a ton of talent. Which WR is you pick to step this week? Why? What kind of production are you thinking from your pick?
Andrew: Noah Brown was on his way to becoming star for the Buckeyes last season, that was until he broke his leg just two weeks before the season opener. With the departure of Mike Thomas, Brown goes from never having played a meaningful snap in college to being looked at as Barrett's No. 1 option.
By all accounts, the two had developed quite the rapport before the injury, and things have seemingly picked up where they left off last year. Because the Buckeyes are rather green at the position, though, I expect quarterback J.T. Barrett to spread the touches around a bit, meaning Brown hauls in only two or three receptions — one of which will go for a long touchdown.
Eric: I'm going to go with Parris Campbell, though he might not make the big time plays some guys in that room could. I think Campbell is a strong blocker with speed, which is why he got the nod to start at Virginia Tech last season with Corey Smith, Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall suspended. Urban Meyer loves his game and wants to see how he handles things with another year in the program under his belt. I think Campbell catches six passes for about 70 yards against Bowling Green. Disclaimer: I picked Campbell because I'm considering Noah Brown's production as the No. 1 wide receiver to sort of be an afterthought.
Johnny: I don't really have any basis for thinking that Noah Brown is going to finally Do The Damn Thing, but dammit, I really want him to. Obviously what happened with him prior to last season was really disappointing for both himself and people who wanted to see him excel at Ohio State, and the nice thing about him being healthy is that along with Curtis Samuel, he'll very likely be the safety net for J.T. in the event that Corey Smith isn't that guy.
I think Noah Brown will have a nice game, leading all receivers with around 75 yards receiving and 8 catches.
J.T. Barrett is in that second tier of Heisman Trophy favorites from an odds standpoint to open the season. What do you want to see from Barrett to give you comfort he's ready to return to his 2014 and late 2015 form?
Johnny: Intermediate passing accuracy. J.T. was right to be pissed about suggestions that his arm might have a little weenie in it; the guy has always been sneakily capable of a really devastating deep ball that catches secondaries off guard. The problem is that Hail Marys and bump passes don't always sustain drives, and if teams are going to be forced to back off the line to prevent them from selling out on Weber and the read option, Barrett is going to have to be able to consistently hit passes over the heads of linebackers.
Eric: Control. Barrett performed at his best in 2014 when he played without thinking too much, instead just doing what he does. Tom Herman helped immensely with Barrett's transition first to a starter then Big Ten Quarterback of the Year, helping the then-redshirt freshman appear at ease after the Buckeyes lost to Virginia Tech.
In Year 2 with Tim Beck, Barrett said he feels much more comfortable about things. It also helps he isn't having to look over his shoulder at Cardale Jones anymore. But in order for Barrett to get back to 2014 form (no easy task) I want to see conviction, control and calm. He knows how to run Ohio State's offense well. Do it.
Andrew: In the two games following Ohio State's disastrous loss to Michigan State, Barrett looked like his 2014 self. He was running the read-option better than ever and he looked more comfortable within the flow of the game. His early season struggles can be directly attributed to his ankle not being fully healed, but the game of back-and-forth Meyer played at the quarterback position with Barrett and Cardale Jones never really allowed either to get into a rhythm.
Knowing that he's the man from the start, Barrett will once again find his groove under center. And so long as the offensive line gels, I expect him to be in New York for the Heisman Ceremony in December.
Curtis Samuel and Dontre Wilson are going to be used in multiple ways according to Meyer. Looking at game one only, what kind of production do you envision - and from what positions - can we expect from each guy?
Eric: I think both Samuel and Wilson will work in the slot and the backfield, on jet sweeps and option looks. Samuel is a more shifty runner, but Wilson's speed makes him dangerous in the open field and on special teams.
That being said, Ohio State would be foolish to not give Samuel the ball at least 15 times against Bowling Green, and the rest of the season for that matter. My magic numbers for him will be seven carries and eight catches, both in between the tackles and in space. A similar plan seems right for Wilson too, though not quite in the same quantity. Plus, he'll get plenty of chances returning kicks and punts. Regardless, both players have skills that they really didn't get a chance to show last season. Saturday will be the first indication of whether or not that will be different in 2016.
Andrew: I don't really expect much from Wilson, to be honest. We've heard about his potential since he was a true freshman and how he was supposed to become Meyer's next great weapon.
Instead, it's Samuel who has filled that role quite well. He compliments Weber coming out of the backfield and he will flourish in his role as a slot receiver.
He's the biggest home run threat on the team, so anything less that 10 to 15 touches on Saturday — and every game thereafter, quite frankly — would be a disappointment.
Johnny: This is Curtis Samuel's breakout year. Beau convinced me that he's definitely going to be more of a backfield guy than a Jalin Marshall type; this makes a lot of sense given that he'd be able to shoulder some of the running game load, especially in the first half of games. But the ball has to get in his hands, and the offensive staff needs to be much more creative in doing so than they were with Braxton Miller last year. If (and it's a big "if") they can be smart about getting him in motion and setting up some misdirection plays, Curtis could be very, very difficult to deal with in the backfield.
Dontre might have a quiet game against Bowling Green, if only because the kitchen is so crowded. People love Wilson because of his inherent athleticism and occasional flashes on the field, but honestly he's been one of the most inconsistent players on the team during his time in Columbus. He'll have to earn more touches by making the most of what he gets this Saturday.
On the other side of the ball, the defensive line is breaking in two new starting defensive tackles in Tracy Sprinkle and Michael Hill sandwiched between ends Tyquan Lewis and fellow new starter Sam Hubbard. What kind of day will the defensive line have? In particular, which of the tackles will step up? Will reserve tackles like Dre'Mont Jones, Davon Hamilton and/or others be a factor this weekend?
Andrew: We pretty much saw this lineup in the Fiesta Bowl when the Buckeyes were without starters Adolphus Washington (suspension) and Joey Bosa (targeting), but it's largely a group of unproven players. I think Larry Johnson is Ohio State's best position coach, and I expect this group to mold into one of the Big Ten's best as the season progresses. Sam Hubbard is a star in the making, but I think Jalyn Holmes will make his mark on this game as the defense looks to find a permanent rotation.
Johnny: The defensive line is going to be a strength of the team in general, and Lewis and Hubbard being generally awesome (Lewis was statistically the best Ohio State defensive lineman last season and it wasn't really close) should open things up on the inside for Sprinkle and Hill. Tracy in particular seems like he's ready to roll this Saturday, and he should do a good job at plugging up the middle while the ends take on double teams.
Eric: This is the position group I'm most anxious to watch for Ohio State, just eeking out the secondary. Bowling Green is going to throw the ball a ton, so each group's depth and preparation will be tested. I think Hubbard, Lewis and Jalyn Holmes are all very talented and can get after the quarterback with consistency. Sprinkle and Hill need to show an ability to stop the run, because I don't think Larry Johnson is going to think twice about inserting Hamilton or Jones. All of those guys are going to play a ton anyways, but while the game is still close Johnson will use those doing the best work.
As far as production, I think Ohio State's depth on the defensive line will eventually wear down Bowling Green and tally some big plays and sacks late in the game. I'm going to say the Buckeyes will record five sacks and force James Knapke to fumble at least once.
Dante Booker and Chris Worley are newly minted starters joining Raekwon McMillan as part of the linebacker corps. What do you want to see from those two guys to give you comfort with Oklahoma looming just a few weeks away?
Eric: Worley and Booker aren't going to make the 'wow' plays that Darron Lee did for two seasons in Columbus. They're not him, so it isn't fair to expect them to play like him.
However, they need to show they can be excellent tacklers like Lee and Perry were. Bowling Green, Oklahoma and even Tulsa have the potential to score a bunch of points and did so last season by getting guys out of position or breaking one tackle and sprinting to the end zone. Each guy knows everything there is to know about Ohio State's defense — they've been here for at least three years each. They both are really good. Play like it.
Andrew: It would be unrealistic to expect either of them to step in immediately and become an anchor of the defense like Darron Lee did two years ago. I simply want to see the way they respond to a up-tempo offense, knowing that Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma will look for any way to take advantage of their inexperience. If they struggle with Bowling Green and Tulsa, we might be in for a long night in Norman. I'm confident that Raekwon McMillan will have them ready to go, though.
Johnny: How well they play in pass protection is the absolute number one thing that I'll be looking for. This is tricky, because while Baker Mayfield is one of the top two or three quarterbacks in the country, Oklahoma also has two of the best running backs in the country, meaning that as a linebacker you absolutely have to be able to read the offense quickly and correctly or else you'll get caught up in the wash and before you know it Perine is 20 yards downfield.
If Booker and Worley have been watching film and have figured out when to jump some routes and when to stay home, I'll breathe a sigh of relief. I mean, kind of. It's still Bowling Green.
What is the biggest question mark on offense of defense that you have heading into the season opener?
Eric: Offensively I think it is the line, just because it is a group replacing three starters and Pat Elflein admittedly doesn't feel at full strength with his shoulder surgery even though he is practicing full-time. Can that group mesh? Will Jamarco Jones and Isaiah Prince protect J.T. Barrett from the pass rush? We'll see Saturday. Plus, Urban Meyer said multiple times this week that depth on that unit is among his biggest concerns as Ohio State starts the season.
On defense, I already touched on the defensive line but the secondary is the biggest question mark just because three guys who played there last year are now in the NFL. Marshon Lattimore and Denzel Ward are co-starters at corner opposite of Gareon Conley, so I'm still very curious how that rotation will go along with Damon Arnette, who Meyer said Thursday will start at nickel. All of those guys can play but only Conley has true big-game experience.
Johnny: How much wear and tear is Urban willing to rack up on Barrett in the first game of the year is something that I'm very curious about headed into the season. No coach ever manages players in these types of situations to fans' satisfaction, but it's clearly important that Barrett not be required to do much of anything beyond the first half. That's also why it's important that guys like Weber and Samuel have big days and can shoulder a lot of the offense themselves.
Andrew: Will the offense continue to excel with offensive coordinator Ed Warinner calling plays from the press box? The offense seemed stagnant at times last season, and Meyer undoubtedly regrets not making this decision sooner. Moving Warinner not only gave him the ability to see plays unfold better than he could from the field while he coached up his offensive line, but allowed for easier communication between he and co-offensive coordinator Tim Beck. The offense had a rhythm it did not have prior to the games against Michigan and Notre Dame, and I fully expect that to carry over to this season.
Ohio State enters the game as a 28-point favorite. Will the Buckeyes cover? Give us your final and game MVP prediction.
Andrew: Free of all the expectation and hype that surrounded the program last season as they looked to defend their crown, Barrett and the Buckeyes look more comfortable from the start. The Buckeyes used a balanced attack to score early and often, and Meyer calls off the dogs a little earlier than usual out of respect for his former employer. Ohio State wins, 42-10, as Barrett tosses three touchdown passes while Weber and Samuel each score once.
Johnny: I think they'll cover, although Bowling Green might get some garbage points towards the end of the game to make it look somewhat closer than it was and maybe piss Vegas off. 38-10 Ohio State, with Mike Weber getting MVP honors after a 120+ yard day on the ground.
Eric: I don't think Ohio State covers. Bowling Green will score a garbage touchdown when backups are in the game defensively for the Buckeyes. Give me Ohio State 38-17 and J.T. Barrett as my game MVP.
