Ohio State Football: Why NCAA Bowl Ban Will Make the Buckeyes a Better Team

The Ohio State University will be sitting out bowl season this year as part of their NCAA penalty from a year ago. The bowl ban is a disappointment to the fans, but in the long run it will make Ohio State a better team.

Why? The pressure is off.

Urban Meyer and his staff can coach this team without as much scrutiny as they would have received otherwise. The hopes of the fans to compete for the Rose Bowl and beyond are gone for this season. Meyer can use this as a development year, and that is what he needs.

The offensive philosophy will finally change in Columbus, and sophomore quarterback Braxton Miller he will need this year to adjust and grow. Meyer and his staff do not have the immediate pressure to perform weighing on their shoulders. Utilizing this time to mold Miller and company will pay dividends in 2013.

USC is a perfect case study. With a bowl ban and coaching change, the team was able to learn the new system and just have fun. Where are the Trojans entering 2012? BCS favorites. On Saturdays, they could let it all hang out and just go for it. Both of these two universities love to win, but with no postseason aspirations the fans are a lot more forgiving for a roll of the dice that may not pay off.

The real hit in sanctions, for both Ohio State and USC, were scholarships. USC was levied 30 over three seasons and the Buckeyes only nine over three years. The sanctions had no impact on the Buckeyes' recruiting as it was offset by arguably the best coach in the game's return.

Yes, the loss of scholarships will affect depth in a position or two in the long-run, but at the high level of recruiting that Meyer has exhibited over the years, casual fans will probably not notice. This is will not be an excuse moving forward. Especially after USC's performance.

Matt Barkley was a breakout star as junior for USC. Meyer had a certain dual-threat quarterback that he helped develop into a Heisman Trophy winner—Tim Tebow. Tebow helped as a freshman, but did not become a household name until his junior season. Recent Ohio State dual-threat QBs Troy Smith and Terrelle Pryor both found their niche in their junior years. What is my point? After giving Meyer a year to mentor Miller, the QB will enter the 2013 season as a junior.

Miller will possibly enter the 2013 season as a Heisman hopeful.

Buckeyes fans will need to look at the development of the players in the schemes instead of the outcome. Expect to see more substitutions throughout the year to give many underclassmen snaps in real games to prepare them for the future. As talented as they are already, it is more beneficial to support the coaching staff in this transition than it is to badger them about performing on Saturday.

If Meyer's staff develops and recruits the way they have in the past, then expect the Buckeyes to reclaim their spot atop the Big Ten Conference and enter the 2013 as serious BCS contenders.