Looking to erase the stigma of two national title game failures is first and foremost on the minds of the Buckeyes this season. Even with a combined record of 33-5 the past three years, Ohio State has faced national ridicule.
Coming off of an 11-2 season and a surprising BCS title game appearance - no OSU fan in their right mind expected a young and inexperienced squad to get that far, so thanks to every other program for choking at one point or another last year! - this Buckeyes squad is much more equipped to compete for a championship. Here are three reasons why:
1. More dynamic offense: The addition of Terrelle Pryor at quarterback opens up the playbook to new levels. Todd Boeckman is still “the guy” under center, but Pryor will add another dimension to what this offense can do. His credentials speak for themselves.
All of the receivers return, including Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline, while the offensive line – with big fella Alex Boone holding down the left tackle spot – has been bolstered by three top recruits in Michael Brewster, Mike Adams and J.B. Shugarts.
2. Chris Wells/Brandon Saine: A breakthrough season for “Beanie” Wells has this former top recruit on everyone’s pre-season Heisman list. Arguably one of the most talented players in college football, Wells is drawing comparisons to Eddie George – and he might acutally be better. Coupled with the super-speedy Saine, who last year emerged as a threat to not only run but catch the ball, the Buckeyes’ backfield can produce big plays at any given moment.
3. Defense, Defense, Defense: James Laurinaitis will level you as soon as you step on the field. Lawrence Wilson is healthy and will be more then capable at replacing Vernon Gholston. Malcolm Jenkins and Jamario O’Neal, one of about 712 players from Glenville to pass through Ohio State in the past decade, anchors a very solid secondary.
The 2008 Buckeyes are talented, deep and versatile. Nearly everyone returns from the team last year – 18 of 22 starters overall, not to mention the entire kicking corps. If there’s a hole on this team, good luck finding it.
The game everyone has circled on their calendars is Sept. 13 at USC, which will be the barometer to see if Ohio Statebelongs in the national spotlight. A win could springboard the team through the season – another nationally primetime, embarrassing loss could prove irrevocably demoralizing (particularly to the spirited fanbase).
Other key road games on the slate include tilts at Wisconsin (one of the toughest environments in college football), Michigan State and a vastly improved Illinois squad. Then, of course, the season closes with the game against you-know-who, and even though Michigan will likely only have four or five wins at that point, they’d like nothing more than to derail potential Buckeye title hopes in the Horseshoe.
Another 10-plus win season and BCS bowl appearance is in store for this team, and anything short will be considered disappointing for Ohio State fans. But after the wackiness of last season - it was like the "bizarro" episode of Seinfeld every week, for God's sake - who knows what's in store for everyone this year?
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2 months ago
Loved the article finally someone with some sense. If people would understand that OSU didn't put itself in the title game last year all the teams that couldn't close the deal did. It was supposed to be this year and now with the addition of Pryor and the Brew Crew we could be looking at another title ru. Don't forget Devier Posey as a threat also. GO BUCKS!!
2 months ago
Gotta beat USC to have a shot.
2 months ago
That is what everyone is saying, and it is probably true even though it is bull shit.
Does Georgia have to beat Arizona State to make to the national championship game? NO
Does Missouri have to beat Illinois to make to the national championship game? NO
They can lose those games, win the rest and I would say alomst be a lock to be in the championship game.
Ohio State could very easily get punished this coming year for doing better than expected last year.
However, if they go undefeated then there is no way anyone can say they don't belong in the title game. With everything that has been going on this offseason it would make a championship that much sweeter.
2 months ago
Ohio State was on its way to a blowout in the last Championship game. The Buckeyes were ahead 17 to 0 when an out of position ref called back what clearly was a touchdown. That lead to a blocked field goal and an eventual LSU touchdown, making it instead 10/ 7. In another series Ohio State stopped LSU deep in their own territory. LSU'S punter ran up with the ball and collided with a Buckeye defender. It should have then been first and ten for Ohio State on the LSU 30, with an excellent chance for OSU to score again. Instead a roughing the passer call was ridiculously made giving LSU good field position for a score, which they did. Throughout the season, Ohio State averaged less than one personal fowl per game, and most of the time had zero. So, how did the really miserable refs call five against Ohio State, and perhaps one against LSU. Overall, it was the worst officiated college or pro football games I've ever seen. Blame the debacle on the refs, and stop dumping on Ohio State.
2 months ago
Um, contrary to popular belief, Jamario O'Neal (5 Star Recruit ), is not a starter. Kurt Coleman is the starting strong safety for OSU. Jamario O'Neal was the number 31 overall recruit coming out of high school in 2005 and to put it bluntly, has failed to live up to the hype. O'Neal is an outstanding special teams player and thats about it.
Most sportswriters keep talking about Lawrence Wilson, and rightfully so, as the candidate to replace the void of Vernon Gholston. He will be the starter at DE along with last years freshman phenom, Cameron Heyward. The bigger story is Thad, as in Thaddeus Gibson. Thad made the move to DE this spring and was the number one pick for the OSU spring game. He is up around 250 now and looks like a meaner version of Gholston. All I can say is, remember the name, Thad Gibson.
Thats all folks.
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