No..if they can hold teams to under 30, I think we will be fine. 

Impossible?  you mean ever?   that's a stretch.  They were good, but they not only ARE replacable, I think they will be replaced quite well.   Urban hasn't been recruiting cream puff for the DL lately...he's bringing in the best of the best.

IUZ69 wrote: I am very concerned.  I like who we have, but it's impossible to replace 2 guys like Hankins and Simon.  Do we have capable talent?  Sure.  Are they ready for the prime time?  Who knows.  

I do not think we will miss Howard that much since I do think Grant will be a very capable replacement.  Perry should be as adequate as Sabino was, but someone needs to become a viable replacement for Boren at MLB.  We saw how mediocre this defense was without one the first half of the season.

I'm not sure we have a Hankins on the current roster. Other than that, I think we can replace the others. No slight to Simon, but I think some of the youngsters could be more explosive.

Anybody whose not at least somewhat concerned about the defense next year isn't paying attention.  We return just 4 starters, provided Roby comes back, and only have 2 seniors on the whole defense.  We have a lot of holes to fill.  There is talent in place to fill those holes, but which ones and how soon they will be ready, as well as how they will play together, remains to be seen.

We lose our entire starting DL, and while the young talent is in place to replace them it's just that - young all across the board. Guys who were all role players last year have to step up and be the feature guys.  

We've got some serious holes at LB with Shazier the only guy whose proven he can be counted on up to this point.  Somebody needs to step up there in a big way.

We do have some good veteran talent in the secondary, particularly at safety, but if Roby were to go pro then we would be seriously green at CB as well.

As I said before, the good thing is we do have a lot of young talent in place.  But talent and production are not necessarily the same thing.  Our Defensive coaches have their work cut out for them putting all the pieces together and getting these guys ready for prime time.

downtownbuck wrote: I know the defense wasn't up to "normal standards" this past season, but we lose 7 guys up front going into next season, in what is supposed to be "our season". Are we going to have to outscore everyone until this defense get's experience? Will this defense be good enough to win it all??

I am not overly worried about the D for 2013. Will there be holes to fill-absolutely. Are they holes that talent is not already on the roster for-w/ the possible exception of MLB, absolutely not.

DL-Losing Simon and Hankins is big, but from a playmaking standpoint, Spence,Schutt and Washington should fill the void w/ much increased playing time. The 12' DL class will make it's presence known.

LB-Shazier is back and everyone else has another year under their belts to figure out what is going on. Some mild concern, but nothing serious.

DB-We are loaded. period. Grant and Apple will make everyone forget about Travis Howard fairly quickly,IMo-and that is not intended as a knock on Travis

I have concerns.  Did the staff learn it's lesson and will it avoid the Cover/3-4 and soft zones?  With an all-new DL, there is potential for struggling,b ut OSU seems to always have another star int he wings.  In 2009, OSU had Heyward, GIbson, etc and when they all left, folks were worried... then Simon, WIlliams, and Hankins took over.  So, now OSU has Benntett, Washington, etc ready to step in.  WHo places the SAM and MIKE are huge questions.  IN the DBfield, ROby needs to comeback.  If he leaves, OSU will be breaking in a LOT of CBs with some spread formation offenses and pass happy teams early on. 

I disagree that OSU's schedule is that soft.  @Cal and WIscy & NW at home will not be walkovers.  If the defense shores up by the start of the season, OSU could have a solid run.  The offense SHOULD be better, but the passing game is still not remotely close where it needs to be.  Wiscy and UM gave a prescription for shutting down Miller... how will OSU adjust?

OSU's defense may not need to be great the first couple of games, but the Cal game is going to need the D to show some things.  Cal will be a better team next year and OSU's offense is not usually sharp on long road trips.  So, I have some small concerns on defense going into next year.  More if Roby leaves.

My view of the DBs totally ignored Roby leaving-that would obviously change things a bit

Its still strange seeing people refer to him as Apple ha

I was so used to Woodard

MWolverines15 wrote: Two years in a row of not playing anyone. Why is that?

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--- BuckMike wrote:

IMO defense will be fine.  From the '13 schedule which offense scares you? 


2013
Buffalo (Aug. 31)
San Diego State (9/7)
at California (9/14)
Florida A&M (9/21)
Wisconsin (9/28)
at Northwestern (10/5)
Open (10/12)
Iowa (10/19)
Penn State (10/26)
at Purdue (11/2)
Open (11/9)
at Illinois (11/16)
Indiana (11/23)
at Michigan (11/30)

---------------------------------------------

san diego was going to be vanderbilt, and when vandy and cal were scheduled they were pretty good, vandy canceled out of fear at the last minute, luckily san diego was available as most schedules were solidified.

also your division is a cupcake, our third best team, blew out the winner on your side.

SurfOhio wrote:

MWolverines15 wrote: Two years in a row of not playing anyone. Why is that?

---------------------------------------------
--- BuckMike wrote:

IMO defense will be fine.  From the '13 schedule which offense scares you? 


2013
Buffalo (Aug. 31)
San Diego State (9/7)
at California (9/14)
Florida A&M (9/21)
Wisconsin (9/28)
at Northwestern (10/5)
Open (10/12)
Iowa (10/19)
Penn State (10/26)
at Purdue (11/2)
Open (11/9)
at Illinois (11/16)
Indiana (11/23)
at Michigan (11/30)

---------------------------------------------

san diego was going to be vanderbilt, and when vandy and cal were scheduled they were pretty good, vandy canceled out of fear at the last minute, luckily san diego was available as most schedules were solidified.

also your division is a cupcake, our third best team, blew out the winner on your side.

Vandy cancelled out due to scheduling conflicts with the SEC, not out of fear.

Remember, Vandy does play in the SEC. I'm pretty sure that they were not fearful of playing tOSU.

Bennett was a DL starter prior to injury. Perry started a game or 2 at OLB. Adolphus Washington and Schutt made plays whenever they were in. Stopping the run will be the question if Roby comes back. We will not be giving up 49 points to anyone next year. Pass rush will be better, IMHO. Losing a CB that every team picked on and sabino that never played that well are not real losses. Losing Simon is big and losing Hankins is big for run stopping. Not sure losing a starter is a loss unless they did something that isn't easily replaced. Again, if Roby comes back the only question will be stopping the run. It will also just be a question and it may turn out that there is little to no drop off at that. Pass rush will be better. Pass defense should be better if Roby comes back.
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--- Stellar wrote:

Anybody whose not at least somewhat concerned about the defense next year isn't paying attention.  We return just 4 starters, provided Roby comes back, and only have 2 seniors on the whole defense.  We have a lot of holes to fill.  There is talent in place to fill those holes, but which ones and how soon they will be ready, as well as how they will play together, remains to be seen.

We lose our entire starting DL, and while the young talent is in place to replace them it's just that - young all across the board. Guys who were all role players last year have to step up and be the feature guys.  

We've got some serious holes at LB with Shazier the only guy whose proven he can be counted on up to this point.  Somebody needs to step up there in a big way.

We do have some good veteran talent in the secondary, particularly at safety, but if Roby were to go pro then we would be seriously green at CB as well.

As I said before, the good thing is we do have a lot of young talent in place.  But talent and production are not necessarily the same thing.  Our Defensive coaches have their work cut out for them putting all the pieces together and getting these guys ready for prime time.

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BuckMike wrote: IMO defense will be fine.  From the '13 schedule which offense scares you? 


2013
Buffalo (Aug. 31)
San Diego State (9/7)
at California (9/14)
Florida A&M (9/21)
Wisconsin (9/28)
at Northwestern (10/5)
Open (10/12)
Iowa (10/19)
Penn State (10/26)
at Purdue (11/2)
Open (11/9)
at Illinois (11/16)
Indiana (11/23)
at Michigan (11/30)

Well SDSU is a team that went 9-4 this season and returns I believe 16+ starters off that team.


Northwestern scares me big time.  They should have beaten Penn State, Michigan and Nebraska this year and they return a TON of people.  Next years team will be Fitzgerald's best by a wide margin.

Purdue traditionally always gives us trouble and now they have what I believe will turn out to be an elite guy in Hazell.

@Michigan... is Michigan

---------------------------------------------
--- downtownbuck wrote:

I know the defense wasn't up to "normal standards" this past season, but we lose 7 guys up front going into next season, in what is supposed to be "our season". Are we going to have to outscore everyone until this defense get's experience? Will this defense be good enough to win it all??


---------------------------------------------

I am concerned about the defense. Personally I have always though of as 2014 as "our year" if there is such a thing. Miller will be a senior, Meyer will have had 2.5 recruiting classes under his belt going into 2014, the d line of 2012 will be juniors with a year of starting experience, and kids like Marshall and Elliott will have a year in the system, along with whomever he adds to his class. Also, with the momentum OSU has, the 2014 in coming should be top 10, potentially top 5.

Of course, its nothing new for college football fans to point to certain year.

Disagree. Penn St. And Wisky should be Good teams. Northwestern should be a decent road test. Agree that the others are weak,especially how we finish up.
---------------------------------------------
--- MWolverines15 wrote:

Two years in a row of not playing anyone. Why is that?

---------------------------------------------
--- BuckMike wrote:

IMO defense will be fine.  From the '13 schedule which offense scares you? 


2013
Buffalo (Aug. 31)
San Diego State (9/7)
at California (9/14)
Florida A&M (9/21)
Wisconsin (9/28)
at Northwestern (10/5)
Open (10/12)
Iowa (10/19)
Penn State (10/26)
at Purdue (11/2)
Open (11/9)
at Illinois (11/16)
Indiana (11/23)
at Michigan (11/30)

---------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------

some of you worry too much about stuff....they have experience coming back....alot of players played this year.

Not not ever.  I said we have capable talent, but I dont think we shall see them dominate until 2014 barring injuries.  The Dline will still be extremely young and inexperienced for the most part.  Our LB play was not good until Boren came over and the light went on in Shazier's head after 5-6 games.  Our DB's still dont tackle well, besideds Roby, and he might leave.  Barnett and Bryant are B type players at best and as much as I like Grant, he still doesn't have much game experience either. 

The D will need to see some marked improvement from a few players who were supposed to contribute but didnt for whatever reason.   I have faith in the staff and players, but faith can only take you so far.  Results speak much louder to me.

Barnett tackles well......Bryant head hunts but he got better. Washington played a lot as did Schutt and Spence played a lot as well and will only get stronger. LB is a concern as is the other corner. Bennett is basically a starter. We subbed more than people want to believe.

IUZ69 wrote: Not not ever.  I said we have capable talent, but I dont think we shall see them dominate until 2014 barring injuries.  The Dline will still be extremely young and inexperienced for the most part.  Our LB play was not good until Boren came over and the light went on in Shazier's head after 5-6 games.  Our DB's still dont tackle well, besideds Roby, and he might leave.  Barnett and Bryant are B type players at best and as much as I like Grant, he still doesn't have much game experience either. 

The D will need to see some marked improvement from a few players who were supposed to contribute but didnt for whatever reason.   I have faith in the staff and players, but faith can only take you so far.  Results speak much louder to me.

From the experience side of things, we won't be as good on the line in '13 as we were in '12, BUT I think that we will be a lot faster this year.....which was a problem at time for us last year!..

You said impossible...
---------------------------------------------
--- IUZ69 wrote:

You dont replace a player like Simon and/or Hankins with 2nd year players and be as effective.  Can the guys we have eventually be as good as these2?  I think yes, but to think they will have the same production next year as these 2 had in 2012 is a reach.

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Concerns? Yeah. But our two best defenders are back (Roby, Shazier) and the guys stepping in up front showed plenty of flashes this year. The secondary does worry me particularly the safeties. I've never been high on Barnett/Bryant but they do at least have a lot of experience back there. We need one LB and one CB to step up.