Ohio State Football: Suggestions for the Gator Bowl

Ohio State will end their season with the Gator Bowl. A win would be nice but there is really not much at stake. It would be nice to defeat an SEC team as well as finish the season on a winning note but all eyes are on 2012 as Urban Meyer has Buckeye nation dreaming again.

There will be a new coaching staff that will completely take over come January 3 with Urban Meyer assuming full control.  By then, the full coaching staff should be revealed. Already, Tom Herman has been hired as next year’s offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. 

Change is in the air and Columbus is full of hope.

So, should the Buckeyes wait until January 3 to focus on the 2012 season or should they start on January 2? Should the Buckeyes go all-out to win the game or should they use the game as a form of ‘practice’ for next year? 

In 1987, Ohio State played Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl.  One thing head coach Earle Bruce did was allow Tom Tupa to quarterback in the second quarter even though Ohio State had senior QB Jim Karsatos.

Bruce might have had one eye on next season.  Since Earle Bruce is Urban Meyer’s mentor, here are some suggestions on how they can use the Gator Bowl as a preparation for Urban Meyer’s first year as head coach.

Let next year’s center, Brian Bobek, play significant minutes and have Michael Brewster play some guard while coaching him on the center position.  "Brew" has been center since his freshman year and has plenty to share. 

We know that the quarterback will be significant in Urban Meyer’s offense, so begin the game-playing experience for Bobek and Braxton Miller.  Have Braxton operate primarily out of the spread so Bobek can get use to shot-gunning it to him.

Play next year’s offensive line for a while.  Have Brian Bobek at center, Andrew Norwell at left tackle, Jack Mewhort at right tackle while Corey Linsley and Marcus Hall play the guards. 

Ohio State will have to rebuild the offensive line. Why not give these guys some experience in a bowl game against a talented SEC team?

Play Devier Posey but also try to incorporate Corey Brown, Devin Smith, Chris Fields and Evan Spencer.  Flank Jordan Hall for a bit as he will assume a Percy Harvin type role.

Throw to Jake Stonebrunner and Reid Fragel more.  We have been saying this all season after the Akron game: defenses have tried to take Stonebrunner out.  Urban Meyer’s offense has everyone involved and Miller needs to continue to grow with his tight ends.

Urban Meyer is now head coach.  With many starters returning and a revitalized coaching staff, 2012 has the promise of returning to the old days—big title runs, BCS bowls and being in the national title discussion. Let us begin 2012 now by keeping one eye on next season.