Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer must be thinking...what else can go wrong this summer?"
His star running back, Carlos Hyde, has been suspended indefinitely following an altercation in a bar this past weekend. Hyde has not been arrested, so his status could change pending the outcome of the investigation. Three other Buckeye players ran afoul of the law over the off season, and faced disciplinary action by Meyer.
On it's own merit, these incidents would've been easily forgotten once the season started. After all, the Buckeyes are coming off an undefeated season...and are once again favored to win the Big Ten Conference. Meyer and his Buckeyes were denied a shot at a national title last season. They can thank Jim Tressel for that. Now...all eyes will be on Meyer and Ohio State, to see how he disciplines his players going forward.
They can thank Aaron Hernandez for that.
Meyer recently caught some heat for allegedly being an enabler, and not a disciplinarian when Aaron Hernandez was a member of his Florida Gators. There are rumors of multiple failed drugs tests, and other incidents that were swept under the rug. In the short term, fair or unfair, Meyer is now linked (in small part) to Hernandez. And that story will heat up again once we get closer to a trial. Meyer has already made his public statement...but you know how messy reporters can be.
Will Meyer cave under the public pressure and lay down the law going forward...even if he has to kill an ant with a sledgehammer? Or does Meyer go easy on the punishments? After all, as far as we know, there have been no NCAA violations committed. Ohio State is in a precarious position right now. The Tressel era ended in scandal, so there will be a heightened sensitivity to any negative press right now.
On the other hand....
Carlos Hyde had 17 total touchdowns last season, and Bradley Roby is an NFL prospect caliber corner back. It's easy to tell Meyer to send a message. But he was hired to win games, not popularity contests.
We'll see which one wins out when the games start to count. follow @plcolter
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