Ohio State Football: Rebuilt and Ready for a Real Run

By now everyone knows that Ohio State hasn't had the best of luck in the last two BCS National Championship games.

They were beaten so badly by Florida that the SEC fans immediately began to claim that Ohio State couldn't compete with the big boys in college football.

And last year against LSU, the rebuilding Buckeyes found themselves in another BCS Championship game—one that they probably should not have been in.

They were beaten easily by a very good LSU football team, which again made SEC fans go absolutely crazy claiming that the Big 10 had no speed and couldn't keep up with the teams in the SEC.  (Even though a few days earlier the Michigan Wolverines beat Florida...the fastest team in the SEC.)

But as much as some people are mad at the fact that the Buckeyes were in the position to win the National Championship, it's not their fault that every team above them decided to lose their last game of the year and pretty much give Ohio State a bid in the BCS National Championship.

If Ohio State makes it for a third consecutive year, nobody can say they didn't earn it.  They have a much better non-conference schedule, and the Big 10 as a whole will be a much better conference to play in than it was last year.

Here is my take on how each game should go.

8/30 vs. Youngstown State

Youngstown State won't be pulling off any miracles like Appalachian State did to Michigan last year.  This game is more of a scrimmage for Ohio State.

The starters will only play for about a half.  Beanie Wells should pull off a few big runs here and there, and get some stats racked up for his Heisman campaign.

Youngstown State scored six on Ohio State last year, so this year I look for them to probably shut the mighty Penguins out.

Ohio State 52 - Youngstown State 0

9/6 vs. Ohio University

The Bobcats from Ohio University have a great football coach in Frank Solich, and I see them playing their hearts out in this game.  However, after about a quarter of football, the talent difference between the two teams will start to set in, and Ohio State will put themselves on cruise control as soon as they take the lead. 

I think Ohio will have a surprisingly great season in the MAC, but they are no match for Ohio State.

Ohio State 38 - Ohio University 7

9/13 @ USC

In what could potentially be the most hyped game in Ohio State history, the Buckeyes find themselves traveling out to the West Coast to play in what might be an all-out war.

The Trojans will be coming off a bye week and should be pretty fresh.  At the same time, this could play in the Buckeyes' favor because USC quarterback Mark Sanchez will only have one game of experience before playing against the extremely talented and experienced defense of Ohio State.

I see this game being a battle in the trenches as Sanchez won't be able to figure out the defense of the Buckeyes.

This will be the game that will either make or break Beanie Wells' Heisman run, as well as make or break the Buckeyes' National Championship hopes.

In the end this game will come down to who has the better defense and who has more want to.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?