Ohio State Buckeye 2009 Football Schedule: Circle Your Calenders, Buckeye Fans

It’s now been 1,952 days since the school up north beat The Ohio State Buckeyes in football. And any true blue Ohio State fan knows that is THE  game on the Buckeyes schedule every year.

Unlike his coaching predecessor, the thing that has ingratiated Jim Tressel to OSU fans since he took over the program is that he understands how much winning the Michigan game means to the Buckeye faithful.

Winning records, national championships and bowl games all matter to Ohioans. But the thing that most football fans across the country do not “get” when referring to Ohio State football, is how much that one game matters.

It literally makes or breaks coaching careers in Columbus, OH.

Unfortunately for Michigan fans, they have a long, hard way back to national prominence as Rich Rodriguez installs the type of players needed for his system.

Until he finds his own Terrelle Pryor (along with the speed demons it takes to run his offense), that long stretch of previously mentioned days will get even longer.

But besides the Michigan game, what games do Ohio State fans have to circle on their calendar? What games are going to make or break the season in terms of Big Ten and National Championship contention for OSU?

In terms of the national championship, the season starts or ends on Sept. 12, 2009, where they meet Southern Cal at The Shoe. It’s a rematch of the debacle that ended any chance Ohio State had for redemption in the BCS.

Southern Cal never really has a “down” year under super-recruiter Pete Carroll. But if there was a time to strike while the iron is hot, this is the year.

While OSU certainly has a few holes to fill, USC has some holes to fill the size of the Grand Canyon at quarterback and at linebacker. There is some big time talent leaving the program in order to play on Sundays rather than Saturdays.

The Trojans still have a great deal of talent returning, especially in the secondary, offensive line, and at running back. But losing the quarterback of the offense and the main playmakers of the defense will make it tough sledding, especially so early in the season in a hostile environment.

Because of Ohio State’s past stumbles in the BCS Championship Game, there is very little margin for error with the pollsters if the Buckeyes want to attain that goal.

A win in this game keeps the dream alive. A loss means a Big Ten title is all they are playing for.

As for the Big Ten schedule, the key battles Buckeye fans need to pay attention to are the following: Sept. 26 Illinois (in Columbus),  Nov. 7 Penn State (at State College, Pa.), and Nov. 14 Iowa (in Columbus).

The Buckeyes still haven’t got over the sting from watching QB Juice Williams run rough-shot over the Buckeye defense in 2007. Although the Bucks got back at him in 2008, Williams returns along with most of his skill position players in 2009.

Despite some interception issues last season, Williams still threw for 3,173 yards, rushed for 719 along with a combined 27 touchdowns. He will be throwing to some big, fast targets in Arrelious Benn (67 receptions, 1,055 yards in 2008) and AJ Jenkins (26.1 yards/catch as a freshman).

The Fighting Illini return their top three rushers (including Williams). Running backs Dannie Dufrene and Jason Ford provide a nice lightning and thunder one-two punch in the offensive backfield.

The Illinois defense loses six out of 11 starters, but get defensive tackle Sirod Williams back from injury. Pryor and company might have their way with this defense, but OSU may have to put some points on the board to keep up with Illinois' potent offense.

Don’t let last years’ 5-7 record fool you. Coach Ron Zook has been recruiting blue chippers for the past three years and they are hungry to prove last year was just a bump in the road.

The Buckeyes really have only one tough road game on their schedule. That game will be Nov. 7 at Penn State.

Penn State suffered some big personnel losses after winning the Big Ten title in 2008. However, there is enough talent on this team to contend for another Big Ten title in 2009.

All-Conference selections Navorro Bowman (OLB) and Jared Odrick (DT) return along with all four members of the secondary. The Nittany Lions also get back senior linebacker Sean Lee, who missed last season with a torn ACL.

The issues for JoePa are on the offensive side of the ball though. 

Quarterback Daryll Clark returns after leading the Big Ten’s best offense last year. They also return running back Evan Royster (1,236 yards, 6.1 per carry, 12 TDs as a sophomore).

But Clark and Royster will have to operate with an all-new receiving corps and three new offensive lineman. Penn State will have a tough time operating against the Buckeyes stout front four.

The Nov. 14, 2009 home game against Iowa is intriguing. Iowa got back into the bowl picture after a 9-4 season in 2008 and they are looking to build on that success.

Iowa struggled until settling on quarterback Ricky Stanzi midseason. Stanzi returns after saving the Hawkeyes' season.

Iowa loses Heisman Trophy finalist Shonn Greene at running back. Those are some big shoes to fill.

But a combination of Jewel Hampton (463 yards, 5.1 per carry, 7 TDs in 2008) and super-recruit Brandon Wegher (3,238 yards, 51 touchdowns as a high school senior) make a pretty formidable combination.

The defense loses some major pieces, but does return leading tackler MLB Pat Angerer.

Iowa should start the season somewhere in the top 25. The days of the Hawkeye game being a walk-over are done.

I did not mention this game earlier, but the Oct. 24, 2009 home game against Minnesota has “trap game” written all over it. Ohio Statewould be wise not to over-look the pitch-catch combination of QB Adam Weber and WR Eric Decker.

Despite some losses on both sides of the ball, the Buckeyes overall talent should make for an exciting, and perhaps spectacular season.

Pryor, with a year of experience, tutoring and hitting the weight room will be a much more polished quarterback. At times, he was the best player on the field in 2008.

That was before he even had an idea of how to play the position.

The defensive line and safety positions should be dominant.

There is a lot of youth at running back, offensive line, wide receiver, linebacker and cornerback. However, all of these positions are filled with blue-chip recruits, most of which got significant playing time as freshman and sophomores.

This team should once again challenge for a position among the nations’ elite. Catching U.S.C. so early in the season at home, with a new starting quarterback, might turn out to be the biggest schedule gift of the season.

Mark September 12, 2009, 8:00 p.m. on your calendar with a big, red pen. Circle it. Then go over it with your Hi-Liter.

That game is going to determine the Buckeyes fortunes.