The Outlook for Terrelle Pryor and the Ohio State Buckeyes in '09

Terrelle Pryor is coming off a heck of a football season for a true freshman.

He waltzed into Ohio State and wresteld the starting quarterback job from senior Todd Boeckman. He led the Buckeyes to a share of the Big Ten title. He went 10-2 as a starter, with his only losses coming to conference co-champ Penn State and national title contender Texas.

This year, Pryor will call the shots and replace NFL-bound running back Beanie Wells as the Buckeyes’ biggest threat.

Can he lead them to another Big Ten title? Is the program’s 10th undefeated season in the cards? Here’s how Pryor’s sophomore campaign breaks down:

Navy at Ohio State, Sept. 9

A home opener against Navy doesn’t jump out as an upset threat, but no game is a “gimme.” This is a chance for Ohio State to start working out the kinks.

The Buckeyes should win, but it may not be pretty if they’re not clicking from the start.

USC at Ohio State, Sept. 12

The Buckeyes were embarrassed 35-3 in Los Angeles without Wells, and have been waiting for the rematch ever since.

Both lost a number of stars in the offseason, and both programs are capable of reloading quickly.

Pryor is the key here. He was one of the few Buckeyes to produce in last year’s beating, throwing for 59 yards on 7-of-9 passing, and rushing for another 59. For Ohio State to have a chance this time around, he’ll have to serve as Ohio State’s “Trojan Horse.”

Ohio State at Toledo, Sept. 19

By week three, the Buckeyes should be hitting their stride. Toledo is their last chance for a soft win before Ohio State’s Big Ten schedule starts.

The Buckeyes can’t afford to overlook the cupcakes: They looked ill-prepared in a similar mismatch against Ohio University last year, and nearly lost.

The Buckeyes will be more talented team, but they need to play like it and not let an easier game slip by them.

Illinois at Ohio State, Sept. 26

This Big Ten rivalry always makes for compelling theater. The matchup between Pryor and dual-threat Illini quarterback Juice Williams was good last year, and should be better the second time.

In that game, Juice was the better passer, completing 17-of-26 attempts for 192 yards, a pair of touchdowns and a pick. Pryor connected just 6-of-10 for 49 yards with one score.

But Pryor dominated with his legs, rushing for a career-high 110 yards on 13 carries, and adding a touchdown on the ground as the Buckeyes won 30-20.

The winner of the quarterback matchup will go a long way in determining the winner of the game.

Ohio State at Indiana, Oct. 3

There is little Indiana can do to stop Ohio State, even at home. If the Buckeyes don’t beat themselves, the Hoosiers won’t, either.

Wisconsin at Ohio State, Oct. 10

You can bet sparks will be flying in this one. Wisconsin will be out for revenge after Pryor staged a game-winning rally last year. It’ll take a similar effort from Pryor this year to make it two in a row.

Ohio State at Purdue, Oct. 10

The Buckeyes’ second trip into Indiana shouldn’t be much harder than the first.

The Boilermakers will have a new quarterback under center, and Ohio State’s deep secondary will show up hungry for picks.

Throw in a strong Ohio State defensive line, and this matchup could be a nightmare for Purdue’s offense.

Minnesota at Ohio State, Oct. 17

Minnesota improved dramatically from ’07 to ’08, and will look to keep the arrow pointed upward this year.

The Golden Gophers moved the ball fine in last season’s meeting, but couldn’t contain Pryor, who rushed for nearly 100 yards in a 34-21 win.

If he shows that kind of razzle-dazzle again, the results will be the same.

New Mexico State at Ohio State, Oct. 31

The Buckeyes’ last non-conference game could make for a scary Halloween for the Aggies. If Ohio State shows up to play, New Mexico’s trick-or-treaters will go home empty-handed.

Ohio State at Penn State, Nov. 7

It’ll be the Buckeyes’ turn to seek revenge in this one, as they look to bounce back from their only conference defeat from ’08.

Pryor lost a fumble and threw an interception that took the life out of the Buckeyes in Ohio State’s 13-6 loss. He should be more poised with another year of seasoning.

Joe Paterno is one of the very few coaches that have had success against the Buckeyes since Jim Tressel took over the program in 2001. This game will go to the team that plays better defense.

Iowa at Ohio State, Nov. 14

The Hawkeyes haven’t seen the Buckeyes since 2006. In that contest, eventual Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith threw four touchdown passes, and Wells ran for 78 yards in one of his best outsides as a freshman.

Iowa won’t have to deal with either of them this time, but they’ll have their hands full with Pryor. The Hawkeyes gave up 214 yards on the ground last time, and Tressel should attack the same way this year.

This game could get interesting, since neither team knows what to expect from the other after two season without a showdown.

Ohio State at Michigan, Nov. 21

This one is the end-all, be-all for fans of both programs. Records don’t matter; it’s always a battle to the finish.

Michigan is coming off their worst year in school history and one of their worst losses ever to a Buckeye team, a 42-7 beat-down last Novemember.

Second-year coach Rich Rodriguez has had a year to rebuild his team. This game will shed light on how far he’s come.

Under Tressel, the Buckeyes dropped just one game against Michigan, all the way back in 2003.

Legends are made in this rivalry, and stars like Smith and Wells had some of their best games against the Wolverines.

Last year, Pryor didn’t have his best game against Michigan, but he still found a way to win. If he continues to make strides, he’ll mount a Heisman campaign.

And if the rest of the team’s young players can step into the roles left by Wells, linebacker James Laurinitis and others, the Michigan clash could be the last stop in a fantastic—dare I say undefeated—regular season

It’s time for those youngsters to forge a legend of their own.