COLLEGE FOOTBALL

End Zone: Ohio State

Too many chiefs, not enough indians?

8/28/2013

Does Ohio State have too many captains and not enough Indians?

This week's surprise announcement that the Buckeyes had named an unprecedented eight captains means one in nine active scholarship players will represent the team in Saturday's opener against Buffalo.

Coach Urban Meyer has said the Buckeyes' ability to fill their leadership vacuum will make the difference this season, and it appears the jury remains out. Does an octet of captains signify a bunch of leaders? Or not enough? There appeared only one clear-cut choice in left tackle Jack Mewhort. Beyond that was anyone's guess. Meyer had never waited so long to hold the player vote.

"The unique thing about this team is we've got eight to 12 guys that are there on the fringe, right there ready to make that step into the elite leadership category," offensive coordinator Tom Herman said Monday before the team voted. "But they're not there yet."

Meyer, a psychology major, decided no man would be left behind. With the vote close, he anointed six seniors, two juniors — Braxton Miller and Ryan Shazier — even backup QB Kenny Guiton.

Whatever works. Let's just hope kickoff is on time. Buffalo's captains will have to shake more hands at midfield than a politician at a Rotary Club.

Contact David Briggs at: dbriggs@theblade.com, 419-724-6084 or on Twitter @DBriggsBlade.