Ohio State Buckeyes 2009 Season Preview (Part I)

All I have to say is I am a Michigan fan writing about the Big Ten, and have decided to cover every team in the Big Ten. I have already finished my prediction for Michigan for every game, and plan on previewing the other 10 teams also.

Where better to start than to cover The Ohio State Buckeyes, our biggest rival...and the team I hate the most.

Honestly, I have tremendous respect for the rivalry, and the Ohio State program, as well as Coach Tressel, and am not trolling or disrespecting anyone or any team in the conferencem including Ohio State.

You may not agree with or like every assessment made, but that's OK, as long as we can discuss it openly. So here are my predictions for The 2009 Ohio State Buckeyes' first six games.

Week 1 vs. the Navy Midshipmen

This game will be a little bit of a test for the Buckeyes, since Ohio State is still young on offense and has to replace a handful of defensive players. I wouldn't expect a major blowout, but ultimately OSU has a much better depth chart and too much talent to lose this game.

They might be looking ahead a bit to the USC game, and the offense will start a little slow. Plus, Navy isn't that bad of a team, however Terrelle Pryor can take over at almost anytime, and against any team with his athleticism and speed. Expect OSU to pull away in the second half, and win by at least a couple touchdowns.

Prediction: Ohio State 34, Navy 13

Week 2 vs. the USC Trojans

Florida 41, Ohio State 14. How about LSU 38-24? In 2006-07, Ohio State lost in back-to-back national title games, reinforcing the idea that they couldn't win the truly big games anymore. In 2008 they had a chance to go out west and defeat a national power in USC.

Last season OSU traveled to The Coliseum, and got embarrassed by another excellent Trojan team. After a 35-3 loss, Pryor was anointed the starting QB, and Ohio State was one fumble away from being a national contender.

This year could be different, though. The Buckeyes have a legitimate chance to upset USC, as they not only host USC, but USC loses several defensive players in addition to Mark Sanchez.

This will be a highly competitive game, and it will come down to the fourth quarter and will be decided over who makes the most/ least mistakes. If Terrelle Pryor were a year older or had a more experienced supporting cast I would almost certainly pick Ohio State to win this game at home.

However, USC has a ton of talent on offense. They return all five returning starters on the offensive line, a couple of which are All-American candidates. Aside from having a top-notch line, they return almost every major skill player around the QB.

It doesn't matter who wins the QB competition, because they are all elite. Their defense only returns three starters, but honestly, with Taylor Mays, Malcolm Smith and Everson Griffin anchoring the elite talent around them, USC's defense should still be one of the best in the Pac 10.

Prediction: Ohio State 31, USC 27...you're welcome.

Week 3 vs. the Toledo Rockets

Last year Toledo upset Michigan, handing the Wolverines one of their worst loses ever (IMO). Will Toledo be able to do something similar in 2009 when they face the Buckeyes? Could this be the upset heard round the world?

Not a stinking chance! No offense to Toledo, but they will be horribly outmatched by a very good Ohio State team. This will be a very motivated team as well.

Expect a huge game from Ohio State running the football, and scoring will come in a big way. Terrelle Pryor will probably account for at least three or four TDs...and he won't even play the whole game.

Prediction: Ohio State 45, Toledo 6...OSU is 3-0.

Week 4 vs. the Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois defeated Ohio State in 2007, and outperformed them in almost every major category including first downs, total yards, passing yards, rushing yards, yards per pass and yards per rush.

Illinois probably will have one of the best offenses in the Big Ten with Arrelious Benn, Jeff Cumberland, and Jarred Fayson at WR as well as Daniel Dufrane, Jason Ford and Mikal LeShoure at RB.

Juice Williams is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the conference, but needs more help from the RBs. He was at his best when Illinois had Mendenhall at running back.

The loss of Beanie Wells will probably be the difference in this game. Ohio State fans will hate me for this prediciton, but I'm going to say the Illini get this one in Columbus.

Prediction: Illinois 27, Ohio State 23

Week 5 at The Indiana Hoosiers

This will be a nice game to bounce back for Ohio State. Expect the Buckeyes to win this game going away. Ohio State will win by at least four touchdowns, but probably much more.

Indiana isn't prepared for the aerial assault or the running of Terrelle Pryor, and Boom Herron will a have a big game also. Remember Indiana, gave up more than 35 points per game last year. Ohio State will get at least 40!

Ohio State 52, Indiana 17 (late scoring)...OSU is 4-1 at this point.

Week 6 vs. the Wisconsin Badgers

Last year in Camp Randall, Ohio State had to get a TD run from Pryor in the last minute to earn a victory. It was a very close physical game, and it probably always will be.

This game will probably be close for two or three quarters, or at the very least competitive. Ohio State is just as big and physical as Wisconsin but they are much more athletic, and that will be the difference in the game.

Pryor is also a much better QB than anything Wisky can muster, and so OSU should win this game by at least 10 points. Again John Clay and the power running will keep it competitive for at least a half, but it won't be enough to win.

Ohio State 38, Wisonsin 24 Ohio State is now 5-1 and 2-1 in the conference...to be continued!

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