Ohio State Giving the Keys To Terrelle Pryor

Drew Thurman

When head coach Jim Tressel told the media that Terrelle Pryor could throw the ball 25-35 times a game this fall, everyone took note.

This sudden trust in Pryor's ability to air it out left most of us laughing, especially considering he has only thrown more than 30 attempts in a game twice during his career. Don't get me wrong, I love the spoken confidence in Pryor, but wonder in crunch time how quickly Tressel will go back to the running game.

For instance, Troy Smith attempted just over 23 passes a game his senior season in what was the most balanced offense in Tressel's tenure. So is the Sweater Vest dreaming?

Well, by all accounts so far this fall, Tressel is sticking to his word. Not only is Pryor airing it out in practice often, but the weapons around him seem ready to breakout the Buckeye offense this year.

An offense that was managed and contained a year ago until the Rose Bowl. So the question is—why the sudden change of heart for Tressel?

Most have compared this to Smith's senior year when Tressel finally trusted the quarterback enough to lead the offense. Others have attributed this to Tressel's worries about how good this defense will really be this year.

While both of those options could be partially true, I think there is another reason we can't overlook. I think Tressel realizes the amount of weapons he has around Pryor, and that this is the most diversely talented offense in his near decade with the Buckeyes.

On any given play or formation Pryor has four-to-five different options to throw the ball to. That is a much different world than the ones some of the former Buckeye quarterbacks have lived in.

Think back to 2007 when Todd Boeckman's only two real options were Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline.

Though Robiskie had a solid season, Tressel depended solely on the running game and Beanie Wells when things mattered most. Pryor is blessed with much more talent around him, and defenses will have to be a lot more creative in 2010. I think its this reason Tressel has confidence handing over the keys to the offense.

Pryor's not getting a Chevy Cobalt, he's getting a Jaguar.

Just so you get an example, let's take a look at the guys that could be a very real option for Pryor on any given passing play.

Option No. 1 - DeVier Posey

We all know that Posey is serious player and probably the favorite target of Pryor.

In fact, I think if Pryor had less options to throw to, Posey would easily be an 1,000 yard receiver this season. He may be the best pure wideout in Tressel's time and will present matchup problems all season long.

Option No. 2 - Dane Sanzenbacher

Sanzenbacher is a great complimentary receiver to Posey.

He runs incredible routes, has great hands, and is just plain football tough. His 570 yards and six touchdowns last season might not be jaw dropping, but he just seems to come up with important catches when things matter.

I think he has 700 yards or more when the dust settles at the end of the year.

Option No. 3 - Jake Stoneburner

Stoneburner is by far the Buckeyes best threat at tight end in recent memory.

He alone opens a whole new world to the Buckeyes offense that has not been there in the past. Even if he gets the ball two-to-three times a game, the benefits would be huge.

If the spring game was a primer to the season, then that should happen.

Option No. 4 - Brandon Saine

Saine has showcased his hands on some of the biggest stages, including the Rose Bowl this last season.

Oregon had no way to account for him coming out of the backfield, and his speed creates mismatches with even some of the best linebackers out there. Obviously there will be a lot of shared carries in the backfield this season, but when Saine is in expect him to be targeted as a receiver as well.

Option No. 5 - Zach Boren

Boren was one of the biggest surprises last season, and his role appears to be increasing this fall.

Not only will he maybe get a few carries, but he has proven how valuable of a receiver he is out of the backfield. Like Stoneburner, even a catch or two a game would have a major impact.

There you have it, five real options and I didn't even include the No. 3 receiver spot (which has a ton of possibilities).

If there is any doubt why Tressel feels comfortable giving Pryor 25-35 throws a game, I'm not sure why. With so many different options he is going to need that many throws just to get everyone involved. Add this new found air attack to a dynamic running game and Pryor's scrambling ability, and you have the potential for championship caliber offense.

That should be welcome news in Columbus, since the defense has been bailing the Buckeyes out a lot over the last decade.