Ohio State Football: What to Watch for in Buckeyes’ 2014 Spring Game

Ohio State will be one of the dozens of spring games taking place Saturday. After dropping the final two games of the season—the Big Ten title to Michigan State and the Orange Bowl to Clemson—the Buckeyes are looking for a more positive ending to the 2014-15 season.

The road back to a national championship takes a major step forward on Saturday. What should Buckeye fans be looking for when the team takes the field in coach Urban Meyer’s third year?

Which backup steps up in a battered offense?

Quarterback Braxton Miller is out. So is tight end Jeff Heuerman. Receiver Evan Spencer has been hampered with a leg injury, too. So who takes the opportunity to showcase what they can do when asked to be the next man up?

Nick Vannett, who had eight receptions for 80 yards last year, has gained a ton of praise from head coach Urban Meyer as the Buckeyes’ No. 2 tight end. ”Nick Vannett’s had an excellent spring. He’s one of the two or three most improved players on the team,” Meyer said via Kyle Rowland of ElevenWarriors.com.

At quarterback, redshirt sophomore Cardale Jones and redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett have been in the biggest battle to be Miller’s backup. That position battle may not be solved during the spring game, but it may provide some clarity of the pecking order heading into preseason camp.

Finding new starters on offense

The Buckeyes aren’t just banged up on offense,…

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