Ohio State football fans' enthusiasm might be tempered a bit by the sanctions that prevent the Buckeyes from appearing in a bowl game.
But, knowing how fanatic that loyalty to OSU can run, we're sure Buckeye backers won't be much quieter than in previous seasons. New coach Urban Meyer gets a lion's share of the credit for infusing OSU football with a new kind of energy for 2012.
Meyer has an impressive resume as a big-time college football coach including the 41-14 humbling of the Buckeyes in the 2007 BCS national championship game as leader of the Florida Gators.
Meyer demands excellence and it shows - over the years at Florida and this summer already at Ohio State. He recently characterized a mistake-filled OSU practice "a clown show." Meyer isn't one to tolerate such performances.
Meyer's offense features lots of passing and lots of catching, two elements missing from recent Ohio State teams that focused on a bruising running attack rather than speed and agility. Those are two elements Meyer is seeking in practices leading up to the 2012 season.
Meyer's past performances as coach show he will do all he can to mold the Buckeyes in his winning formula. Like all Buckeye fans - weary of past news about off-field troubles and on-field failures -we will be watching.
The first game is at noon, Sept. 1 at Ohio Stadium against Miami of Ohio.
