Ohio State vs. USC 2009: Full Position Breakdown, WR/TE Matchup

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

USC vs. Ohio State, possibly the most hyped regular season game of the year. I would like to analyze this tradition-​filled matchup, position by position.

Starting today, I will highlight one position each day for both USC and Ohio State. At the end of each article I will declare who I think has the advantage at what ever position that day has.

Expect each article to be relatively short, as I am going to be writing one each day or so.

The first position I would like to highlight is the WR/TE matchup.


First to the WR's of USC

The loss of big Patrick Turner may hurt minimally, but he should be replaced nicely by Arkansas transfer Damian Williams. Last year, Williams was just shy of 1,000 receiving yards with 869 yards on 58 receptions.

Look for Williams to have a break out year at the No. 1 WR spot.

Also returning is tall and big receiver David Ausberry, he will be a senior along with Travon Patterson, who both had quiet years last year each receiving under 100 yards with Ausberry having one touchdown reception.

Speedy junior WR Ronald Johnson also returns. He was USC's third receiver last year with 570 yards on 33 receptions, look for him to move up to the two spot this year at receiver with boosted numbers.

I've also heard that sophomore receiver Brice Butler has impressed in the summer and spring. Look for him to step in the rotation and become some what of an impact for the Trojans.

USC also returns a solid set of tight ends. Highlighting the bunch is returning the 6'5", senior Anthony McCoy. McCoy will be the No. 1 Tight End going into 2009 expecting a big year. Last year he recorded 256 yards on 22 receptions with a touchdown.

Also returning at Tight End for USC is sophomore Blake Ayles. Ayles had 41 receiving yards on six receptions, and coincidentally one touchdown, which came in the 2008 Ohio State game. Expect Rhett Ellison to get some playing time as well as USC's third or fourth tight end.

That's about it for the receiving group for the 2009 Trojans.



Now to the WR's of Ohio State

Ohio State takes a hit at receivers going into the 2009 season losing their top two guys, Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline. While this may hurt, it will not kill the bunch, with young guns ready to play.

The guy expected to be the first receiver is sophomore DeVier Posey. Posey did not have huge numbers in 2008, but he showed his stuff in the spring. Last year, with a solid year for a freshman, he recorded 117 yards on 11 receptions and a touchdown in his first game.

Junior possession wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher will also have to step up at the No. 2 or 3 spot for the Buckeyes. He was the Buckeyes No. 3 receiver last year with 272 yards on 21 receptions and a touchdown.

Along with Sanzenbacher, returning receivers Ray Small and speedy Lamaar Thomas will have to step up. While Small is in Tressel's doghouse for academic problems, expect to see Ray playing, and expect Thomas to take on more of a role in receiving this year along with kickoff returns.

Small had 149 yards on 18 receptions in 2008, along with Thomas having 29 on 4 receptions, and if my NCAA Football 2010 franchise means anything, Thomas will have a big year. (Joke)

Players that haven't seen playing time before will step into the rotation looking to impress. Among these players are junior Taurian Washington and freshman Duron Carter.

Washington has had two great spring games in a row and will finally get to see playing time along with Duron Carter, son of OSU legend Chris Carter.

While the receiving corps for the Buckeyes is looking solid once again, the tight end group is also looking like a good one. While mostly a young group, expect big things for these guys.

Senior Jake Ballard is looking for the ball much more this season with only five receptions last year with 73 yards. Expect QB Terrelle Pryor to look for him and redshirt freshman Jake Stoneburner much more this season.



Wrap Up

As of now, it looks like both USC and Ohio State are turning in solid receiving corps going into the 2009 season. They are both very balanced and both of them have their share of returning guys at WR, and a young but experienced tight end group.

This one has been extremely hard to decide which team has come up with the advantage at this position going into the season, but I had to pick one of the teams.


Advantage at WR/TE: USC

It ended up that I had to go with the more experienced group, and that was USC. While Ohio State could prove me wrong with their talented but young and inexperienced group, for now going into the season, I had to go with the Trojans group.


Check back in Sunday or Monday for the next position breakdown!

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