Ohio State Football 2012: Urban Meyer's Transition into Game Prep Is a Plus

While teams all over the nation are trying to install their base packages, settle position battles and get in shape, the Ohio State Buckeyes are turning the page on fall camp and pushing into game preparation. That's a good thing for fans of the Scarlet and Gray as the start of this next chapter will lead them into what many are expecting to be an extremely successful 2012.

Other big-time teams wish they were so lucky; Florida and Auburn are still battling quarterback issues, while Wisconsin is waiting for their star running back to get back to full strength to get things going.

Camp was a success for the Buckeyes, and the positive in that is not just the limited scope and amount of injuries—nothing devastating to speak of—but also in the amount Urban Meyer learned about his team.

From Bill Rabinowitz over at the Columbus Dispatch:

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“I like where we’re at right now. We’re certainly not perfect. But our guys are trying and we’re doing decent.”

The Buckeyes have entered a new phase. Gone are the grueling practices intended to weed out major contributors from those merely content to be along for the ride. Now it’s about preparing for the Sept. 1 opener against Miami University.

“We’re going to try to go win a game now,” Meyer said. “Today was all game planning, a lot of scout work. It’s much different this week than it was last week.”

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While it may appear to be a small move, it is a big transition in the grand scheme of college football. Game prep is about easing your players into a groove.

While Meyer, up until now, has been all competition and discovering who his men were, he is now moving his team into the next phase. He'll learn about how they study the opponent. They will also learn just how he wants them to be prepared to win.

This means scout team guys mocking up the Miami of Ohio team they face in Week 1. It means special teams getting polished and ready to put on a show. It means young guys truly finding where they fit on special teams and adjusting to the day-to-day weekly grind to get ready for a game. 

Game prep is another new phase for the Buckeyes with Meyer. Meyer went through recruiting and earned plenty of recognition. This spring he helped that team grow together and get excited about the evolving offense. Through camp he's been impressed with the squad. Now, it's up to the staff and the players to get things rolling as the bullets go live.

Ohio State is a ballclub with an opportunity to be very good in 2012. Forget about the bowl ban, the fact is the pieces are in place for this team to come out hot in 2012 and carry plenty of momentum in 2013. The next step in capitalizing on that opportunity is getting prepped for games.

We all know Meyer preps well. Expect the Buckeyes to be a club that's ready to play, whether it's Miami of Ohio or later in the season against Big Ten competition.