OSU coach Urban Meyer addresses the media on July 30 in Chicago during the 2015 Big Ten Media Days. Credit: Kevin Stankiewicz / Oller Reporter
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer is set to take the podium on Tuesday morning at 9:30. With a memorable offseason nearly behind him and his staff, there are still many questions to be asked regarding the Buckeyes and what the future holds for them. Here are a few potential questions that Meyer may be answering on Tuesday.
Bri’onte Dunn dismissal
After Meyer removed the redshirt senior from the team on the night of July 18, the only explanation received from curious OSU fans was that Dunn had “violated team policy.” Only a few hours after the announcement, a 911 call was released from a woman who claimed Dunn had choked and hit her. She is believed to be the girlfriend of the now former OSU running back. Although there is little explanation needed as to why Dunn was dismissed from the team, Meyer will most likely have to answer the basics. Many are still wondering if word on the gravity of the situation reached the OSU coach before the release of the 911 call.
Who’s in the backfield?
With Dunn gone, it would seem most of the load of the ground game would fall directly on the shoulders of redshirt freshman running back Mike Weber. However, Meyer has yet to declare a starting back, and freshman Antonio Williams shows promise. After Weber and Williams, the only other options for the deep back are senior H-back Dontre Wilson and junior H-back Curtis Samuel. Unless one of two seasoned veterans on the team convert to running back, Meyer will have to play his cards carefully.
Greg Schiano accusations
Another story from the offseason that caused a stir in Columbus, newly hired defensive coordinator Greg Schiano has been accused of having knowledge of the abuse of young boys at the hands of Jerry Sandusky, a former Penn State assistant who was with the team along with Schiano from 1990 to 1995. Sandusky was a member of the Nittany Lion coaching staff from 1969 to 1999. Although Schiano has denied the claims and has the backing of his boss in Meyer, there are still some questions as to how this may distract the team, and how Meyer plans to handle the situation.
An unproven receiving corp
Filling the holes left by three receivers leaving a team is never an easy task. But, Meyer will have to do just that in order to give redshirt junior quarterback JT Barrett ample targets to throw to this fall. The longest tenured receiver on the team, senior Corey Smith, only has 25 receptions for 317 yards in his career. Redshirt sophomore Noah Brown will be attempting a return from a gruesome broken leg suffered last season, and Wilson and Samuel will be starring in the H-back position rather than receiver. Both freshman wide receivers Torrance Gibson and Austin Mack are expected to make key contributions to the team in 2016, but the inexperience of the unit will most likely be discussed by Meyer on Tuesday.
Tough out of conference scheduling
OSU has really seemed to challenge themselves this year in terms of out of conference opponents. Kicking off the season against a Bowling Green team that posted an impressive 10-4 record will be an interesting first look at the Scarlet and Gray. Tulsa is next up, and although its record of 6-7 is far from stellar, the Golden Hurricanes stood toe-to-toe with then No. 16 ranked Oklahoma. Rounding out the out of conference opponents is Oklahoma, which could quite possibly be the largest test of the season for OSU. The Sooners were a tough opponent for any team last year, and redshirt junior quarterback Baker Mayfield offers a tough test for OSU.
