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Of course, there was no merciful end to a forgettable year. Now, Urban Meyer and his staff go on the offensive.

(Not) in the polls

The Buckeyes haven’t fallen this far out of the polling consciousness since at least the end of their last losing season, when they went 4-6-1 in 1988. Meyer might bump them into consideration in the Associated Press preseason poll for 2012. But with a postseason ban, they won’t be eligible for the USA Today coaches’ poll. 

What’s hot?

The anticipation is that under Meyer and new offensive coordinator Tom Herman, the Buckeyes are going to come out running and gunning. Meyer and Herman believe they have the ideal quarterback in Braxton Miller to make the transition to a spread offense, and the backfield will be loaded with potential with Jordan Hall, Carlos Hyde and 2012 recruits Warren Ball and Brionte Dunn. But … 

What’s not hot?

The Ohio State receiving corps needs a booster shot. Either it was the system or the lack of urgency, but on several of the six sacks of Miller in the Gator Bowl, there were plays when no one was looking back or, at least, no one was open. Freshmen Devin Smith and Evan Spencer showed promise all year but often became afterthoughts. The tight ends — Jake Stoneburner, Reid Fragel, Jeff Heuerman and Nick Vannett — won’t be simply emergency targets in Meyer’s scheme. 

What went right?

The defense played well enough to win most games. About the only big play for Florida was its 17-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Otherwise, the Buckeyes kept things in front of them. Of course, that often meant giving up, say, 6 yards on third-and-5. But allowing just one touchdown and a field goal is not a bad day for the defense. 

Back to the drawing board

Kickoff coverage. If Meyer didn’t bring it up in his first meeting with the team yesterday, it’s probably because he wanted to keep his blood pressure under control. The 99-yard kickoff return by Florida, a Gator Bowl record, was a major blow. Then came the blocked punt and return for a touchdown in the third quarter. Only super teams recover from such gaffes, and the 2011 Buckeyes were far from that. 

Dinged up

It’s taken longer than expected for Stoneburner’s left knee to heal fully from the arthroscopic surgery he had after the loss at Michigan. The Buckeyes missed him in their game plan against Florida, which begged for more passes to the tight end, though Heuerman at least showed promise when he took a screen pass outside and rambled for a good gain down the sideline. Stoneburner, safety Orhian Johnson and linebacker Ryan Shazier are expected to be good as new soon enough. 

Catch that?

The John Simon bull rush in the first half that for a moment appeared to knock two Gators from the game. In his zeal to get to quarterback John Brantley, their collision also toppled a Florida offensive lineman. Brantley got up soon enough, but the lineman had to be helped from the field. It was Simon doing his best Howie Long impression. 

Up next?

A long, hard winter of workouts after a brief respite. Meyer is famous — or notorious, depending on the point of view — for pushing players to their limit as much mentally as physically. With new strength and conditioning leader Mickey Marotti calling the shots, the Buckeyes are in for quite a February. 

Meyer’s challenge

Appeasing the masses. Fans believe the Buckeyes have underachieved offensively for a decade or more. Meyer brings the promise of wide-open football, of making the other team have to keep up instead of taking a lead and sitting on it. With no Big Ten championship or bowl game possible in 2012, he must work the regular season like a crescendo toward The Game with Michigan. But know this: The way he and his staff are recruiting, the Hundred Yard War already has been rejoined.

tmay@dispatch.com