2013 PAC-12 Know the Opponent: Ohio State

The Urban Meyer kicked off with an unbeaten 12-0 season which included a successful 8-0 navigation of the Big Ten Conference. Ohio State though was on probation and was unable to see how they would’ve potentially matched up against Alabama or Notre Dame in the National Championship game.

Junior Braxton Miller returns to lead the Ohio State Buckeyes who are coming off a perfect 12-0 season a year ago, the Buckeyes are at Cal on Sept. 14. Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Returning are 13 starters from a season ago, nine on offense but only four on defense however the Buckeyes bring back 51 letter winners. Ohio State had several close calls which included two overtime wins.

Potential Heisman trophy candidate junior Braxton Miller will be in charge of the offense once again after throwing for 2,039 yards with 15 touchdowns to six interceptions. Miller also a threat on the ground rushed for 1,271, reaching the endzone 13 times.

Senior Carlos Hyde just missing a 1,000 yard season rushing for 970 yards with a team high 16 scores. After Miller and Hyde the ground game goes down significantly which is something to watch this season.

Ohio State’s top two receivers return with senior Corey “Philly” Brown who caught 60 passes for 669 yards with three touchdowns. Junior Devin Smith grabbed 30 catches for 618 yards bringing in six TD’s.

While only bringing back four starters from last year’s defense those who return were the top four in tackles. Junior middle linebacker Ryan Shazier, senior strong safety Christian Bryant, junior corner back Bradley Roby and senior free safety CJ Barnett.

Shazier had 115 tackles, five sacks, 12 tackles for loss with an interception. Bryant had 71 tackles with 12 pass breakups, Roby contributed 63 tackles with 17 breakups and Barnett had 56 tackles.

Last season the Buckeyes survived Cal at the Horseshoe 35-28 and will visit Berkeley on Saturday, September 14 at 4 pm on FOX.

Buckeyes 2013 schedule: Aug. 31 v. Buffalo, Sept. 7 v. San Diego State, Sept. 14 @California, Sept. 21 v. Florida A&M, Sept. 28 v. Wisconsin*, Oct. 5 @Northwestern*, Oct. 19 v. Iowa*, Oct. 26 v. Penn State*, Nov. 2 @Purdue*, Nov. 16 @Illinois*, Nov. 23 v. Indiana, Nov. 30 @Michigan*

* = B1G Game

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