Ohio State Football: Buckeyes Have Best Spring Practice of the Year

If you were one of the few people beginning to worry about Ohio State's new offensive system implemented by Urban Meyer, you can take a sigh of relief.

For now.

According to Cleveland.com, the Buckeyes' ninth (out of 15) spring practice turned out to be the best so far. Sophomore quarterback Braxton Miller and the spread-option offense beat the defense for the first time this year, dominating on third down and impressing through the air.

"That was AIA. That's our best practice of the spring, one of the best practices I've seen," Meyer said. "The intensity level was an A. Competitiveness was an A. Coaching was an A by our assistant coaches. Execution is obviously not an A, but it doesn't have to be right now.

"It's huge. It's not about execution. I'm not worried about that right now," Meyer continued. "But I want to see guys go and I want to see an offense resemble an offense and the defense come back with its back against the wall. It is a big moment for me and for our staff."

The offense has come a long way since just last week, when Meyer acknowledged he was a bit disappointed with the "playmaker" positions. Through five practices, no one had stuck out to the two-time national champion coach, and he made it clear that the many problems needed to be resolved.

"I just wish we would make more plays," he said on April 4, via Sporting News. "Some guys just make some plays.

"We're not where we need to be. But I'm not upset. I just wish we would grasp it a little faster," Meyer added. "There's not one position. It's like offensive football, anytime you install, anytime you do something new, nine guys do it right and two guys do it wrong and it just looks like the most disgusting thing you'll ever see. So we've just got to get a little more consistent."

Both Miller and running back Carlos Hyde responded accordingly.

Hyde—a 6'1", 240-pound junior—caught a 75-yard touchdown pass from Miller in high fashion. The dual-threat QB scrambled to the right after making his reads and found his tailback in space after the defense had crashed in.

"Having a quarterback that makes something out of nothing is every coach's dream and we've got one," said Meyer.

"Snaps are hitting the quarterback right between the numbers. It's not a clown show out there like at a couple points. Guys are competing. That's why I'm going to leave here tonight impressed with the Ohio State Buckeyes," Meyer said.

Although the offense is nowhere near ready for game-time competition, it's moving along quite nicely. There will be plenty more bumps in the road, but it takes a lot of time to learn a new system, especially one of great complexity such as Meyer's.

And judging by his resume, I'm obligated to trust his opinion.