COLUMBUS, Ohio — Preparations to end a two-game losing streak have already started for Ohio State, but the chance to make them with the pads on again after a two-month wait isn’t over yet. There’s less than a week left on that wait for spring practice, and given the disappointing end to the 2013 season and the rigorous offseason conditioning program the Buckeyes have been going through, that time surely can’t fly by quickly enough for the players. We’ve already looked at players facing critical springs and key position battles, and to count down these final few days before camp opens, we’ll make a handful of predictions for what should happen in March and April as Ohio State reloads for another run at a title in the fall.
No. 2: The diamond formation returns
+ EnlargeKirk Irwin/Getty ImagesThe versatile Dontre Wilson could be one of many to get touches in the diamond formation.The cupboard was already overflowing a season ago, and Ohio State intended to use as many ingredients as possible before it found out it could get by using the same one as often as possible as the main dish. The kitchen is every bit as well stocked this spring as it was at this time last year, but the Buckeyes no longer have Carlos Hyde at their disposal as a complement to Braxton Miller in the backfield, which may well bring a little more variety to the rushing attack.
Urban Meyer had intentions of spreading around the carries when he unveiled a full-house backfield in a diamond formation during camp last year, using three of his talented tailbacks at the same time along with Miller to give the option attack even more firepower, keep defenses guessing and, perhaps, keep everybody happy with their workload. Ultimately, the combination of Hyde and Miller was enough to again give Ohio State one of the nation’s best ground games, and Hyde finished the season with 127 more attempts than any other running back — despite missing three weeks of action due to suspension.
With the stockpile of both traditional running backs like Ezekiel Elliott, Rod Smith and Bri’onte Dunn and a growing collection of hybrid weapons led by Dontre Wilson, the diamond formation and a more even distribution of touches figures to be featured during spring practice. Maybe that particular package won’t end up becoming a staple of the playbook in the fall, but it’s one more wrinkle that can make life miserable for opposing defensive coordinators and a scheme that could potentially take some of the pressure off Miller as a rushing threat.
If nothing else, maybe it will simply provide a chance for the coaching staff to evaluate a handful of options to replace Hyde at once. The competition for playing time is already going to be fierce in the backfield, and it might suit Ohio State’s interests best if it can name more than one winner.
Continue reading this article at ESPN: Ohio State spring predictions: No. 2
