Despite Win, Ohio State Looks Like 3-Loss Team with Many Weaknesses

If Ohio State's performance against Toledo this past Saturday is any indication of how the 2011 season is going to go, Buckeye fans should start thinking Florida in January, where the Gator, Capital One and Outback Bowls are going to be held. 

Despite being undefeated, the team's performance against Toledo left many in Columbus shaking their heads and worried about what lies ahead.

Unless significant changes can be made, the Buckeyes are looking like a three-loss team this year.  And while in most other college cities that would be a decent year, a three-loss season in Columbus is sacrilege. 

Much was written in the Columbus media market about the team's offense.  Such questions about the quarterback situation are justified.  Joe Bauserman is a solid player and provides senior leadership.  With all the changes in the lineup, he does provide stability and continuity from last season.

But Bauserman is a one-dimensional quarterback.  He can throw the ball, but is not seen as a threat to run.  He lacks freshman Braxton Miller's game-breaking ability.  Coach Luke Fickell will be asked a thousand times this week why Miller did not play. That scrutiny will be higher because of the upcoming game against Miami and their unending supply of athletic playmakers.

In the days leading up to the Miami showdown, Fickell simply has to look at incorporating Miller.  The Hurricanes are exponentially more athletic and dangerous than Toledo.  That's no knock against the Rockets, it's a fact.  They historically recruit some of the fastest and toughest football players in talent-rich South Florida. 

The concerns do not stop with the Buckeyes' offense.  Ohio State's defense does not inspire confidence that they can stop Miami.  At times this past Saturday Toledo looked confident and capable.  Some teams can hang 22 on the Buckeyes on pure luck.  The Rockets made the Buckeye defense like anything but the reigning Big Ten champions. 

The Buckeyes needed a big win against Toledo to give them confidence heading into the Miami game and they did not get it.

There's no doubt Miami will be motivated—maybe more than the Buckeyes.  The Hurricanes will want revenge after last year's drubbing in Columbus.  They are a proud team in the midst of their own off-field turmoil and victories against teams like Ohio State will absolutely make the season worthwhile for the players and their fans. 

Expect to see a team in the mold of old Miami squads, looking to start fast and hit hard.  If the Buckeyes come out the way the played against Toledo they will be the fly on the Miami windshield.

Fickell and his staff have to make changes and make them quick.  They also need to build their team up, because the schedule gets much harder from here.

After Miami, which will be a physical and emotion game from start to finish, the Buckeyes face Colorado and then a difficult two-game stretch against Michigan State and Nebraska.  After facing Illinois they host Wisconsin. 

Absent significant improvement on both sides of the ball, the Buckeyes will be very lucky to enter November with a record better than 6-3, marred by losses to Miami, Nebraska and Wisconsin.