The Ohio State Buckeyes might not shatter attendance records this year, though that's the least of the worries for head coach Urban Meyer and the program.Coming off a humiliating shutout at the hands of Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl, Meyer and his staff have circled key areas needing improvement in red ink while balancing on a tightrope after losing important players like Malik Hooker.That isn't to say Saturday's spectacle won't be fun. Nike co-founder Phil Knight and former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz will act as honorary coaches, and the Big Ten Network airing the event live knocked Michigan's spring game to tape delay.A rebound on the mind, the festivities and serious issues that need to be addressed make this one of the year's top spring games.2017 Ohio State Spring GameWhen: Saturday, April 15, at 12:30 p.m. ETWhere:Ohio StadiumTV: Big Ten NetworkLive Stream: BTN2GoNew offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson is the focal point of Saturday's spring game.Ohio State's passing game was a mess last year, with J.T. Barrett only completing 61.5 percent of his passes for 2,555 yards and 24 touchdowns against seven interceptions. The running game was there to help compensate, as three players rushed for eight or more scores, but keep in mind the struggling aerial attack just lost Curtis Samuel to the NFL.A program like Ohio State has plenty of blue-chip prospects at wideout, so it has to be refreshing to hear a guy like wideout Parris Campbell be so forthcoming about last year's struggles, according to ESPN.com's Austin Ward:I mean, all you guys saw it. We werent making plays when plays were supposed to be made. Too many balls on the ground, too many opportunities left on the field. As a whole unit, I feel like we never left a game feeling complete, feeling like we did what we wanted to do. For me, thats the summary.Campbell joins a talented cast with guys like jump-ball target Binjimen Victor tasked with making life easier on Barrett under center.An ever-improving offensive line should help in this endeavor. As ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg pointed out, the young offensive line continues to improve and has the attention of Big Ten coaches. "Ohio State's 2017 offensive line haul, led by guards Wyatt Davis and Josh Myers, is very strong. Several coaches noted Barrett's team-leading 205 rushes last season'Ran him a ton, and it took a toll,' a Big Ten coach said."More time for Barrett to go through his paces and better wideout play should provide a step in the right direction for a unit gaining more experience.On the defensive side of things, even losing Hooker isn't the end of the world for one of the nation's best crop of pass-rushing talents. Names like Sam Hubbard, Nick Bosa and others have the Buckeyes perhaps thinking about trotting out five-man fronts, or at least letting the former rush from an upright position.I think as of right now, its the strength of our team on defense, Meyer said, according to Ward. Theyre fast, theyre really good players. Defensive end, I challenge that well be as good as anybody in America at defensive end."The surefire disruption prowess of the front will have a strong ripple effect on the rest of the defense, which is good news for a secondary still sorting out starters after senior safety Damon Webb.In hindsight, last year didn't end the way the Buckeyes had hoped, but 2017 seemed like the target for a serious boost. So far this spring, the team has made the right strides in the necessary areas for this to happen.Fans will get their first glimpse of what's to come in game action during Saturday's event.Stats and info courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified. Broadcast and spring game info via OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
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