Ohio State Football: 2008 Schedule analysis

After two years of coming one win away from the ultimate goal, the Buckeyes come into 2008 with as good a chance of winning it all as any other team in the country.

The road to Miami will not be easy, despite what people say about the Big 10, plus an early-season showdown with USC will determine how the rest of the year is played out.

August 30th—Yougstown State

Jim Tressel's old team comes to the horseshoe and leaves wishing they still had the sweater vest on their sidelines.

Beanie and Laurinatis have big games and the Buckeye crowd has a glimpse of the future as Terrelle Pryor plays the whole fourth quarter.

W 55-3

September 6th—Ohio University

A trap game. If the Buckeyes look past this MAC opponent they will have some problems, I don't see them losing, but a flat performance will not be good the week before going to the West Coast.

Tressel knows better, his team is known for not underestimating opponents so a loss is very unlikely.

W 41-10

September 13th—At USC

Early Game of the Year, It's the two best coaches of the decade against each other in what promises to be a very closely contested game.

Both teams have proven players on both sides of the ball and whoever wins is on the high road to Miami.

W - If running game can be established and Defence stops Mark Sanchez.

L - If Boeckman doesn't play well and commits turnovers and the defence gives up big plays.

 My pick: W 27-21

September 20th—Troy

Troy better hope OSU wins against the Trojans, otherwise, they'll have to face a very mad Buckeye squad that will be looking to take it out on someone.

Defence has to be aware of Troy's spread offence though.

W 39-17

September 27th—Minnesota

Minnesota went 0-8 in conference play last year, and although I admit they will be improved this year, I don't see this one being close, plus I honestly don't know the last time the Gophers won in Columbus.

Wait for it, Googling...

Wikipedia...

Can't find it. It must've been a while back.

W 35-7

October 4th—At Wisconsin

Big time game, the winner of this game will most likely win the conference (Sorry Michigan...not really).

Jake Ikegwuonu's decision to leave for the NFL is good news for Ohio State's passing game.

The true test will be if the Buck's D can hold P.J. Hill and Wisconsin's offence at bay. If so a win is assured.

W - If passing game is effective and D stops Wisconsin's run

L - If Wisconsin is able to stop Beanie and the passing game isn't effective.

 My pick: W 24-17

October 11th—Purdue

The team that no one is talking about that can actually make some noise.

I have Purdue as the third best team in the Big Ten (More in my Big Ten Preview in a couple of weeks) and they can cause some problems for the Buckeyes D.

Considering their problems trying to defend the Spread in the last few years, the Bucks better prepare for a tough game.

W 33-29

October 11th—At Michigan St.

Michigan St. is the kind of team that has the potential but never fulfills it (See: Clemson) and they appear to have the most heart-wrenching losses at home (See: Notre Dame game two years ago), so expect the Buckeyes to have some trouble and for this to be a close game.

Until the fourth quarter, when the Bucks pull away and make this game seem easier than it was.

W 28-17

October 25th—Penn State

Last year, the Penn State game was supposed to be a true test to Ohio State, they won 37-17 at Happy Valley.

Expect the same this year as PSU will come in with only one or two losses and expect the result to be similar.

W 37-14

November 8th—At Northwestern

Nothing against Northwestern but this is a good game to have before Illinois.

The Wildcats have a good enough offence but nothing spectacular that will have Laurinatis and company running circles.

A good game to build a lead and rest starters, and what that means? More Terrelle Pryor.

W 42-10

November 15th—At Illinois

As a high school football player, I gotta say, I love revenge games.

You watch the film from the previous year and all those feelings you had after the game come right back, you turn that into motivation and that means problem for the other team.

No matter what the players say, they remember last year, how Illinois ran through, around and over them. Expect the Bucks to return the favor this year.

W 33 - 21

November 22nd—Michigan

Rich Rod's first taste of The Big Game, and as far as I'm concerned, Jim Tressel isn't one for warm welcomes.

By now, Michigan will either have the playbook all figured out or I will feel really sorry for whoever the Michigan QB is.

Either way, Rich Rod will exit the 'Shoe with chants of "four in a row" coming from the stands.

W 29-17

With a couple of swing games, the 2008 season could go two ways:

Best case scenario: 12-0, everything goes smooth and they punch a ticket to Miami.

Worst case scenario: 8-4, with losses to USC, Purdue, Wisconsin and Penn St.

Don't expect this though, this team is too good to lose four games, and they still beat Michigan.