Ohio State Football: Urban Meyer's 5 Biggest Concerns Going into Spring Practice

Urban Meyer has made it clear since working as an analyst for ESPN at the BCS National Championship Game that he has his sights fixed on Alabama.

Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide have won three of the last four BCS titles, so it is no surprise that Meyer—a man with two titles to his name—is gunning to take Saban down.

Meyer's Buckeyes were the only NCAA FBS team to go undefeated in 2012, thanks to Alabama's dismantling of the previously unbeaten Notre Dame. But Meyer and Ohio State will not rest on their laurels. 

Meyer is on a mission to win titles and not just of the Big Ten variety, but to take the crystal ball from the SEC and end that conference's seven-year run of winning the national championship—a streak that Meyer started with Florida against Ohio State.

The Buckeyes return several key players, especially on offense, and are bringing in one of the best recruiting classes in the country. But there is still work to be done to answer a few concerns the coaching staff might have. 

The Buckeyes could put many of those questions to bed during the two weeks of spring practice leading up to Ohio State's Spring Game in Cincinnati on April 13.

Replacing the Lost Leadership

Urban Meyer has been extremely outspoken about the importance of the 2012 senior class. They're important not only for their play on the field, but also their leadership off it.

Much has been said and written about Zach Boren, John Simon and the rest of the seniors' leadership, but spring practice will be the first time these current Buckeyes will take the practice field without those seniors leading them.

Jordan Hall was a team captain in 2012, but didn't play much due to injury. He will once again be relied upon for leadership.

The offensive line that will have four senior starters should also provide strong leadership along with the power-running, emotional running back Carlos Hyde.

But while the offense has several qualified leaders, the defense will be young. The Buckeyes won't have a scholarship senior anywhere on their defensive line or at linebacker.

While senior safeties Christian Bryant, C.J. Barnett and Corey Brown should provide some leadership from the back, the Buckeyes will likely need players to step up in the front seven, like Ryan Shazier.

Developing the Passing Game

Ohio State's passing game was terrible in 2011 and was upgraded marginally in 2012. But if this team is going to win a national title, then it will have to improve.

Braxton Miller has shown he can make great throws, but he struggles with consistency and is still learning to be a QB and trust his mechanics.

Miller is an athlete that has also been able to rely on his natural ability to make plays, but now must learn to rely on his footwork and teammates.

However, Miller isn't the only issue. The Buckeye receivers also deserve much of the blame for the lack of a passing game. They were plagued by dropped balls and simply didn't make as many plays as Urban Meyer expects out of his skill-position players.

This could be the last chance for players not named Devin Smith and Corey Brown to gain the coaches' trust before highly touted playmakers Jalin Marshall, Dontre Wilson, Corey Smith and James Clark start vying for playing time.

Rebuilding the Front Seven on D

Ryan Shazier is the only returning starter in Ohio State's front seven on defense. 

Shazier had a great sophomore season, but in order to win titles Ohio State will need all of their highly sought-after recruits turn into stars on the field.

The defensive line will likely be anchored by sophomores Noah Spence, Adolphus Washington and Tommy Schutt along with juniors Michael Bennett, Joel Hale and Steve Miller. 

The defensive line will also turn to redshirt freshman Se'Von Pittman and the 2013 recruiting class for depth.

As with the defensive line, the linebackers will be young. Curtis Grant started the 2012 season as the middle linebacker and will likely get the first shot to win that job again.

Joshua Perry figures to get the first look at the strong-side linebacker spot.

If those two can't lock down those spots, then the door opens for sophomores Camren Williams, David Perkins and Jamal Marcus.

Also don't count out 2013 high school All-American game participants Trey Johnson and Mike Mitchell from pressing for playing time.

Finding Depth on the Offensive Line

Incredibly, Urban Meyer's team had the same five starters on the offensive line in all 12 games last season.

The Buckeyes will return four of those starters, all of whom are seniors.

Jack Mewhort, Andrew Norwell, Corey Linsley and Marcus Hall really came on during Big Ten play and cleared the way for Ohio State to lead the conference in scoring.

But without Reid Fragel this unit could be forced to shuffle around.

Taylor Decker, a 2013 sophomore, will likely get the first chance to step in at right tackle since he battled Fragel for the spot during last year's offseason.

If Decker can't win the job then Kyle Dodson, Chase Faris and Jacoby Boren could become factors.

Faris and Boren are both guards, but if they prove to be one of the team's top-5 linemen, then Meyer could choose to move Norwell to tackle, where he started five games in 2011.

The best-case scenario is that Decker wins the right tackle spot and the offensive line can keep its continuity. But that's far from a certainty.

Creating Consistency on Special Teams

If there was one thing you absolutely knew about a Jim Tressel-coached team, then it was that the special teams would be solid.

Ohio State did do a good job of blocking field goals and punts last season and broke two punt returns for touchdowns, but other than that there weren't many positives.

The kick coverage was below-average. Part of that probably has something to do with having three fewer scholarships than usual, but it needs to improve.

The punt protection broke down far too often. Now with Ben Buchanan gone and Johnny Townsend signing with Florida, the punter position is unclear. 

Likewise, Drew Basil didn't have a great junior season and will need to be more consistent in 2013, especially if he has to take over punting and kicking responsibilities.

Lastly, kick returning was lackluster in 2012 and resulted in a musical chairs of sorts with so many players getting a chance. That is why I expect the freshmen to get their first crack at stardom as return men.

Dontre Wilson, James Clark and Ezekiel Elliott have experience returning kicks and great speed and could be back deep when the season starts against Buffalo. But don't count out the veteran Jordan Hall either. He was a sold return man before his injury-plagued 2012 season.