OSU changes are very possible

McClatchy Newspapers

MIAMI

Urban Meyer started his tenure at Ohio State with a blemish-free 24-0 record, but then the 2013-14 postseason happened and featured a defensive tailspin.

Now, the Buckeyes go into the offseason as owners of two consecutive losses.

A month ago, the Buckeyes were on the verge of a berth in the BCS National Championship Game. After a 40-35 loss to the Orange Bowl, coaches’ seats are hot and the future of the program no longer seems clear.

“It’s going to sting for a while, probably a long while,” Meyer said. “We just didn’t finish, and it was right there to finish.”

The Buckeyes had multiple chances to win the game, but two late turnovers by quarterback Braxton Miller proved the difference in the contest.

But it was a porous, pushover defense and missed opportunities on special teams and offense that did the Buckeyes in Friday.

Meyer’s goal is to win National Championships, so how does he get Ohio State get back on track?

Meyer might start with changes on the defense. Ohio State allowed 115 points in the season’s final three games, and Meyer was clearly distraught with the performance of the Buckeyes’ unit after the game.

“We’ve got to get better,” Meyer said. “Is [the defensive play] what we expect? No. We expect a top-10 defense at Ohio State.”

Co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell’s standing has been a much-ballyhooed topic in Columbus, and the scrutiny will likely only increase heading into next season, as co-defensive coordinator Everett Withers leaves to become head coach at James Madison.

On a positive note, the Buckeyes will have defensive end Joey Bosa and safety Vonn Bell for at least two more years. The two were arguably Ohio State’s best defenders Friday.

Bosa, a freshman, had a sack and five tackles.

Bell, another freshman, was burned on a deep route by game most valuable player Sammy Watkins early, but recovered with a spectacular interception in the second quarter and solid play in the second half. He had five tackles in the game.

Fixing the defense will be made more difficult by external factors, mainly the NFL. The Buckeyes will lose key players on both sides of the ball to eligibility expiration and possible early entry, including, possibly, their defensive leader.

Running back Carlos Hyde is gone and is likely a second or third-round selection in the NFL Draft come April.