Ohio State Football: The Buckeyes' Offseason to-Do List

Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes are riding plenty of momentum after an outstanding two-month recruiting process, in which 25 prospective athletes turned in their letters of intent for the class of 2012.

Despite a one-year postseason ban for the next football season, the Buckeyes seem to be a hot topic for what looks to be a successful 2012-13 campaign.

Meyer is known for his dominance as a head coach (81.9 winning percentage) and working quickly when taking over a new football team, owning a 27-8 record in such situations.

However, from now until Spring practice, there is still a lot of work to do. If the Buckeyes want to make a 180 from their first losing record since 1898, they need to take care of some issues.

Here is Ohio State's offseason to-do list.

Adjust to the Changes

It's almost been a year since Jim Tressel's resignation, although it feels like an eternity.

Interim coach Luke Fickell was heavily influenced by Tressel's style of running the program and game management, as he's been an assistant in the program since 2002.

Well, the Buckeyes are about to experience a whole new way of doing things under Meyer, most specifically with the offensive scheme. There will be a brand new system implemented (spread-option) with tons of different terminology to learn. Spring practice will give them time to figure things out, but studying begins now.

And with almost an entirely new coaching staff, no position is safe, especially with the recruiting class Meyer just brought in. No starter from last season is entitled to his role, so lackadaisical effort will not be tolerated.

It's going to be a high-flying, no-looking-back type of football season. At first glance, you may not think you're watching an Ohio State football team. But with Meyer calling the shots, you will no longer see a conservative approach to anything.

Reshape the Offensive Line

The offensive line problem may be Urban Meyer's biggest challenge this offseason.

Ohio State loses three longtime starting linemen in All-American tackle Mike Adams, team captain center Michael Brewster and tackle J.B. Shugarts. All are projected to be selected in April's draft.

Junior tackle Andrew Norwell, who started in place of Adams during his suspension, is expected to take over once again. Sophomore center Brian Bobek will likely fill in for Brewster, and senior tight end Reid Fragel is currently making the transition to right tackle.

Incoming freshmen Kyle Dodson, Joey O'Connor, Taylor Decker, Patrick Elflien and Jacoby Boren will make their case for playing time, as well.

Upgrade the Passing Game

It was obvious that true freshman quarterback Braxton Miller wasn't 100 percent ready to take the reigns as the starter, but his raw potential to be one of the best dual-threat QBs in the nation forced Luke Fickell to play him prematurely.

As the season went on, Miller because more and more comfortable learning the speed of the college level and getting a feel for his teammates. He slowly improved as a passer and became a slightly better decision-maker.

Still, Ohio State finished 115th (127.0 yards per game) in the passing game and Miller eclipsed the 100-yard mark just three times in 10 starts.

The speedy quarterback from Dayton, Ohio will need to attach himself at the hip with new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Tom Herman, and the very young group of Buckeye receivers need to step up their level of play and become reliable weapons.

Stay Away from the Headlines

This one's a no-brainer.

Everyone, and I mean everyone, is aware of Ohio State's offseason issues last year (and if you're not, check out Google to catch yourself up).

However, I don't think this will be an issue any longer. The bad seeds are gone (Pryor, Berry, Clarke) and Meyer has already made it clear that he won't tolerate these sorts of problems by releasing Dominic Clarke and DerJuan Gambrell from their scholarships after violating team rules.

The worst has already come to pass for the Buckeyes and I see a clean slate for 2012.

Game Plan for Michigan Right NOW

There is one thing Ohio State fans want more than anything from Urban Meyer in his inaugural season as head coach.

Beat Michigan.

Brady Hoke and the Wolverines defeated the Buckeyes for the first time since 2003 last November by a derelict score of 40-34, which many thought was a disappointing outing for the nation's No. 15 team.

They'll return quarterback Denard Robinson but lose starting wide receiver Junior Hemingway, tight ends Kevin Koger and Steve Watson, and two offensive linemen, including standout center David Molk. UM also loses nearly its entire defensive line, which was the heart and soul of the defense's resurgence.

Thanks to the bowl ban, Michigan week will be the final game of the season for Ohio State. And just like the postseason, it will be treated like a Super Bowl, but with home field advantage.

And if it wasn't juicy enough already, Meyer has put fuel to the fire by reviving a famous line once invented by OSU coaching legend Woody Hayes. Instead of Week 13 having "Michigan Wolverines" next to it, "That Team Up North" has found its way back in.

Hayes was famous for his hatred of Michigan and anything that had to do with the state, having no problems with disrespecting it.

I guess Meyer doesn't, either.