The Buckeyes strong suit is Jim Heacock's defense, where they return nine starters from last year's team that was ranked No. 1 in the nation in total defense giving up 233 yards per game. They were also first in scoring defense (12.8 points/game) and pass defense (150 yards/game).
Heacock's unit, led by All-American linebackers, James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman, was No. 3 in rush defense, No. 4 in pass efficiency defense, No. 6 in sacks, and No. 8 in tackles for a loss.
Laurinaities led the team with 121 tackles including five sacks and had three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Freeman had 109 tackles Senior Curtis Terry is the other starting linebacker.
They have plenty of experience up front, losing only Vernon Gholston, who is now playing for the New York Jets. At 6'6", 290 lbs. Cameron Heyward replaces Gholston.
The secondary is led by All-American corner back Malcolm Jenkins, one of the premier cover corners in College Football. Last year he had 47 tackles and intercepted four passes. Both safeties, Anderson Russell and Kurt Coleman, are returning starters.
They will be asked to stop a Trojan offense that amassed 558 yards against Virginia, 350 in the air and 208 on the ground.
Sanchez was 26-of-35 for 338 yards, spreading out his passes to nine different receivers. Three of them for scores. He also handed the ball off to eight different backs. C.J. Gable, Joe McKnight, Stafon Johnson and Allan Bradford did most of the damage.
OFFENSE:
The Buckeye offense is led by senior quarterback Todd Boeckman. Last year, Boeckman connected on 191-of-299 passes with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. So far this year, he is 30-of-45 for 297 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He was 16-of-26 for 110 yards last week against the Bobcats.
But the real heart of the Buckeye offense is Heisman candidate, Chris "Beanie" Wells. Last year, the tailback, who runs with both speed and power, rushed for 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns. But injured in the third quarter of their opener against Youngstown State, Wells was sidelined for last week's game against Ohio University.
While Tressel remains mum on his plans for Wells this week, without Wells, the Buckeyes relied on three different tailbacks last week. Senior Maurice Wells (no relation to Beanie), started and rushed nine times for 48 yards.
Backing him up was redshirt freshman Dan Herron, who rushed 12 times for 50 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Saine, recovering from a hamstring injury suffered during Fall Camp, rushed five times for 16 yards and a TD.
The nation's top high school recruit, quarterback Terrelle Pryor, had the Buckeyes' longest rush of the day, a 23-yarder and posted 37 yards overall on five carries. Boeckman added six yards on a couple of scrambles.
Altogether the Buckeyes gained only 157 yards on 33 caries against the Bobcats. However, the Trojan defense led by linebackers, Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing, held the Virginia Cavaliers to just 32 yards on 21 carries.
Meanwhile the USC secondary, led by All-American candidates, Kevin Ellison and Taylor Mays, held the Cavaliers to just 155 yards passing.
Special Teams:
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