This is one in a series of Buckeye Bloggers Network (BBN) Ohio State vs. Miami previews. Be sure to visit the links at the bottom of the page to read the rest of the series.
As the “Cradle of Coaches,” Miami University holds a special place in the history of The Ohio State University. All of Ohio State’s national championship wins (football) were lead by former members of the Miami football coaching staff. Paul Brown and Woody Hayes both served as head coach at Miami before coming to Ohio State and Jim Tressel served as the receivers coach before his first stint with the Buckeyes.
The connection continues in basketball with both Randy Ayers (a Miami grad) and Thad Matta who both served on the coaching staff at Miami before leading the Buckeyes.
And then of course there’s Bo Schemblecher. If it wasn’t for the mentor/student relationship formed between Coach Hayes and Schemblecher at Miami University, the “Ten Year War” would have been a mere college rivalry and the importance of “The Game” might be greatly diminished today.
Miami Coaching
Saturday the Buckeyes will meet another product of the Red Hawks coaching cradle. Don Treadwell is both a Miami alum and served as Red Hawks receivers coach in the early 90s. He was also on Coach Jim Tressle’s staff when Tressel lead Youngstown the the Div 1-A national championship. He returned to Miami last year as head coach — his first head coaching position.
Treadwell has plenty of experience with Big Ten and Ohio State football. Before coming to Miami, he spent four years as offensive coordinator at Michigan State where he helped develop an offense that broke a number of school records.
He also filled in as head coach when MSU Coach Mark Dantonio was sidelined after suffering a heart attack and lead the Spartans to a big win over a No. 11 Wisconsin.
Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach John Klacik also spent 12 years on the Buckeye coaching staff working under Coach Tressel.
Urban Meyer et all
Of all the changes in the Ohio State coaching staff, one of the most promising is that with the departure of Jim Bollman, Buckeye fans can once again safely mix with sharp objects during game time. That and of course the energy that Meyer and his staff has brought to the Ohio State program.
This energy is embodied in strength coach Mickey Marotti. Strength coach is typically a behind the scenes position but Marotti can be seen front and center leading the team (and soon students) through their “quick cals” and he is known for his ability to motivate players. In a season where bowl hopes have been shelved, motivation more than anything may be one of the most exciting elements of this program.
That energy continues in defensive line coach Mike Vrabel and other than Chris Spielman, I can’t think of another coach I’d rather see pacing the Ohio State sidelines. With the addition of Everett Withers and the return of Luke Fickle to the defense, I expect to see more of the Ohio State defense that we’ve come to expect over the years.
The matchup
Treadwell’s experience as a receivers coach will be on full display as Miami doesn’t offer much on the ground. It will be interesting to see if the Miami offensive line will be able to hold back the Buckeye attack long enough to establish a passing game. If they do, it may provide a good test for the Ohio State secondary and a chance to see if Withers’ brought his knack for creating players with the ability pull down interceptions with him from UNC.
Offensively, the biggest factor may be Coach Urban Meyers no huddle offense – something entirely new for the Buckeyes. According to an article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, center Corey Linsley said that the Buckeye offense will be 99 percent no huddle. If the Buckeyes can keep up the pace that Meyer is trying to establish, it may be a long second half for the Red Hawks. During the past couple of season openers, the Hawks have managed to hang tough in the under dog role. In this case, conditioning may be their biggest enemy.
If the Buckeyes do get Miami down, don’t expect Meyer to let up. Unlike Coach Tressel who would let an opposing team walk off the field with their dignity, this is Urban Meyer — expect him to run up the score if he can. As reported in the same Plain Dealer article, Ohio State receiver Corey Brown said that Meyer’s philosophy is to, “score 100 points and do this and try to run up the score and have a good time out there and try to defeat our opponent’s will.
Defeat an opponents will folks. Sounds good against Michigan or a Big Ten Wisconsin or Nebraska but an in-state Mac school? Not sure it’s something I want to see.
Be sure to read the rest of the BBN Ohio State vs. Miami Previews by visiting the links below
OSU Silver Bullet: Ohio State passing vs. Miami Defensive Backs
Men of the Scarlet and Gray: Ohio State defensive backs vs. Miami Passing
Our Honor Defend: Ohio State Run Game vs. Miami 4-3
Buckeye Empire: Preview: Miami Running Attack
The Buckeye Battlecry: Special Teams
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My My
Could you imagine the intensity of the defensive side of the ball if we could get bot Vrabel and Spiels on the sidelines?
Just letting that sink in. The thought of the two of them together didn’t really hit me when I wrote it.
It sounds to me that Urban Meyer has some serious character issues. The only acceptable time to “run up the score” is when you are playing your rival …… and you WANT to humiliate them (i.e. Michigan). Meyer is a joke and I hope this backfires on him the same way that folks dislike Pete Carroll and Rick Neuhiesel………. Keep it classy Urban.
I disagree. The objective of the offense is to score and it’s the defense’s job to stop them. It’s not humiliating to be beaten badly; it’s humilating when your opponent feels that you are so weak that you don’t deserve their best effort, because you might not be able to handle it. I have no problem with merci rules. In NCAA wrestling, the match goes on until someone’s butt is pinned, or someone has outscoured their opponent by 15 points, in which case the match is stopped and deemed a technical fall. If the ref wants to call it, that’s one thing; but I would not expect, nor want, a coach or player to stop competing. If the coach decides to give some second or third stringers an opportunity to play more, then so be it, because the competition is also a season long competition and not just a single game, but that’s the coach’s call
Troy S – Unfortunately there isn’t a merci rule in college football. Too many times I have seen a team up by 20+ points with the leading team on the goal line and time enough for one more play ……. and they go for a touchdown. They could have just as easily taken a knee and run out the clock. The objective is to “win” the game not humiliate their opposition. I personally consider this a character flaw with the coach. Please don’t confuse this with putting your reserves in the game and expecting them to give 100 percent effort. I am tired of seeing coaches run the score because they think that it will help them in the polls.
I agree Tony, how many times did JT take a knee or just run the game out. The only reason teams run the score up is for “margin of victory” in the polls.
Go Ducks and Buckeye’s.
I don’t mind a high score as much when you’ve got the second or third string guys in and they want to play. These guys are often trying to prove themselves.
As Carl mentions, the polls have put way too much emphasis on the margin of victory. How many times have we seen a top-ranked team (and I’m not mentioning any conferences) go crazy on the score against a much smaller school because they know it will look good in the polls.
I’m all for goining for three against Michigan but against the in-state fundraiser, not so much.
Remember when Tressel dropped 70+ on Eastern Michigan?
It’s the defense’s job to stop the offense, not the offense’s job. There is no better practice than actual game time. That’s all tomorrow and the rest of the season is in preparation for next season.
RUNNING UP THE SCORE WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT:
University of Southern Cal – 4th Qtr with Matt Barkley still in the game and the Trojans are up by 32 …….. decide to “go for it” on 4th and 3.
That was your highlight?
How about Oklahoma State and… who… ever they fucking played.
Oklahoma State pulled most of their starters out of the game by the end of the first qtr (including the starting QB). OSU dominated this game with their reserves ……. all is fair.
The difference here is that SC was up in the 4th qtr by 32 and they still had their Heisman golden boy Matt Barkley in the game. They were just trying to pad his numbers against a woeful team. Then to make matters worse …. SC had the ball on HAW 11 yard line and it was 4th and 3. Instead of just kicking the field goal and moving the game along Barkley throws a touchdown pass and puts them up 39. Not much changed on the next SC drive ….. they “went for it” again on THREE more 4th down conversions.
SC kept their starters in the game well after it was out of reach for Hawaii. SC ran up the score to pad both Barkley and their own poll numbers. Lane Kiffin has shown his colors and I hope the NCAA comes knocking on their door once more.
How interesting, the coaches change, but the program hasn’t. Hmmm!