A key to any Tressel team is the kicking game. Place kicker Ryan Pretorius, an All-American candidate, hit on 18 of 23 field goals last year and is six for seven so far this year. Punter A.J. Trapasso is one of the best in the Big Ten.
But USC has a couple of great kickers as well. David Buehler had a field goal against Virginia and has been hitting them consistently in practice from 50 yards. Punter Greg Woidneck usually has terrific hang time.
Ray Small, the OSU break-away punt returner, zigged and zagged 69 yards for a touchdown against Ohio University. Small was also the Buckeyes leading receiver with five catches for 27 yards. Maurice Wells, Saine and Herron split time returning kickoffs so far this year.
The Trojans also have a pretty shifty punt return by the name of Joe McKnight, and kickoff returner, Ronald Johnson, like the Buckeyes' Small, is a real speedster and one of the Trojans leading receivers.
CURRENT ODDS:
USC started off as a 7.5-point favorite. They have been bet up currently to an 11-point favorite. That's a huge spread for a No. 1 vs. No. 5. Apparently the smart money doesn't think the Buckeyes should be rated that high.
I have to agree. I have them at No. 8 in my poll. All the signs point to a team that is regrouping. But is there enough time for the entire Buckeye team to regroup and mount a cohesive attack against the No. 1 Trojans?
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