Ohio State Football Preview

Urban Meyer starts his second year at Ohio State with high expectations after an unbeaten first season,the Buckeyes are ranked second in the country and are expected to make a run at the national title.

Heisman candidate Braxton Miller leads the offense in what is expected to be more of a wide open attack this season. Miller is a better passer than given credit for and looks to refine his throwing this season.
Senior Ken Guiton backs up Miller up and is capable of keeping the Buckeyes alive as he showed last season with a thrilling comeback win over Purdue.
Freshmen Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett round out the depth chart and will battle to the heir apparent to Miller.

Carlos Hyde returns as the main man in the backfield,but an off the field incident will force Hyde to miss the first three games.
The hard running Hyde runs well between the tackles and the unexpected rest might come in handy for the Buckeyes in Big 10 play.
Jordan Hall will get plenty of carries,if the fifth year senior can stay healthy,which has been an issue throughout his career.
Sophomore Bri'onte Dunn could be the starter for the opening three games and could be a pleasant surprise and senior Rod Smith will see action as well.

The pass catchers will be key in any Heisman contention for Braxton Miller as they will need to pick their game up after an erratic 2012.
Senior Corey Brown has been the possession threat,while Junior Devin Smith has been the big play threat on the outside.
Returnees Evan Spencer and Chris Fields will get their share of chances with several newcomers attempting to break the rotation...

Jeff Heuerman and Nick Vannett return at tight end after moving to the top of the depth chart last year,
Heuerman will start,but both will play often.Neither are a huge part of the passing game.

Four of the five starters on the offensive line return after an unexpectedly strong campaign last year.
Jack Mewhort returns at left tackle,Andrew Norwell at guard,Corey Linsley at center and massive Marcus Hall rounds out the returnees on the line.Right tackle Taylor Decker will be the lone new starter as he replaces Reid Fragel,who was drafted by the Bengals

The defensive line features two huge pass rushing threats off the end as sophomores Noah Spence and Adolphus Washington take over.
Both could be impact players and finish with plenty of sacks this season.
Michael Bennett and Joel Hale start on the interior with freshman Joey Bosa seeing time at both end and tackle.Jamal Marcus could be a real sleeper as a pass rusher as well.

The linebackers feature Butkus candidate Ryan Shazier,who might be the best in the country.
Curtis Grant will hold down the middle with the right side open as several players are competing.
The depth is inexperienced,so someone (or two) will need to get up to speed fast.

Three of the four starters return in the secondary with the fourth starter moving up from the nickel.
Bradley Roby was an All American last year at corner and should be so again with Doran Grant starting at the opposite corner.
Christian Bryant and C.J. Barnett are back at the safeties with Corey Brown and Tyvius Powell each seeing time as the nickel and dime backs.

Drew Basil will be back at kicker and freshman Cameron Johnston will punt after being imported from Australia.

The Buckeyes went 12-0 last season and are expected to do so again.
Possible trap games for the Buckeyes are in back to back weeks with Wisconsin at home and at Northwestern with the final game against you know who looming large.
I hate to predict 12-0 because it is such a branch to climb on,but I'll do it and say 12-0 and in the BCS championship game....