Ohio State Football: Previewing The Buckeyes' 2011 Schedule
The Ohio State University comes into the 2011 College Football Season with high hopes.
This past January, the Buckeyes defeated Ryan Mallett and the rest of Bobby Petrino's Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl—getting the SEC monkey off their back in the process.
However, the loss of Terrelle Pryor and company for the first five games has some people thinking tOSU might take a step back from their usual success.
Will Ohio State blaze a trail of glory again next season?
Or, should Buckeye fans expect no more than a Capital One Bowl bid?
9/3 Vs. Akron Zips
1 of 13
Last Meeting: September 8, 2007
Result: W 20-2
Akron is coming off an 1-11 season. Over the past four seasons, the Zips have amassed 13 wins; just one more than Ohio State compiled in the 2010-2011 season alone.
The only way Akron can win is if the game isn't played. In the likely event that this Akron miracle doesn't occur and the game is played, the Zips will have trouble scoring once if at all.
The Ohio State offense will have a good day. The new starters may be inconsistent but they will move the ball with relative ease against Akron.
Prediction: W 31-0
Record: 1-0
9/10 Vs. Toledo Rockets
2 of 13
Last Meeting: September 19, 2009
Result: W 38-0
Toledo had a decent 2010 season with an 8-5 record, including 7-1 in MAC games. They earned an invitation to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, losing to Sun Belt champion Florida International 32-34.
The Rockets did knock off Purdue last year so they have the talent to beat Big Ten teams.
However, they struggled in every other OOC game, including suffering embarrassing losses to Arizona and Boise State.
As with their 2009 meeting, this game will be dominated by Ohio State. Toledo is tougher competition than Akron but with the new starters settling in, the Buckeyes should roll.
Prediction: W 27-3
Record: 2-0
9/17 @ Miami Hurricanes
3 of 13
Last Meeting: September 11, 2010
Result: W 36-24
This is the first game that poses a real challenge for Ohio State. Due to "Tatgate," message board superstars peg this as the first Buckeyes loss.
These analysts fail to mention that Miami has their own issues. In addition to their mediocre 2010 showing, they have new faces at head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator.
That being said, Ohio State should win this game. They have ample time and depth to counter "Tatgate" and are frankly the better team.
The game could tighten late due to Tresselball but the outcome will not be in doubt.
Prediction: W 24-13
Record: 3-0
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
9/24 Vs. Colorado Buffaloes
4 of 13
Last Meeting: September 20, 1986
Result: W 13-10
Colorado was 5-7 last year including 2-6 in the Big 12.
Dan Hawkins was fired last year and Brian Cabral replaced him for the final three games on an interim basis. On December 6, 2010, Colorado made Jon Embree their next coach.
The Buffaloes played three ranked teams last year (Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska), losing by an average score of 9-38. The game against Ohio State will be similarly lopsided.
Prediction: W 34-7
Record: 4-0
10/1 Vs. Michigan State Spartans
5 of 13
Last Meeting: October 18, 2008
Result: W 45-7
In 2010, Michigan State earned a school-record 11 wins and were Big Ten Co-Champions along with Ohio State and Wisconsin.
However, the Spartans represented the Big Ten poorly in the Capital One Bowl, losing by six touchdowns to Alabama.
Though Michigan State had a successful season, they were not as good as their record suggested.
In comparison, Ohio State saved the Big Ten from complete ridicule with a gritty performance against Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. They were physical and for a half looked unbeatable. Had Tressel not called off the dogs so early, the game would have been a blowout.
With the new starters firmly entrenched and a roster full of Sugar Bowl toughened players, Ohio State has the edge. However, it would be foolish to underestimate the Spartans.
Prediction: W 28-14
Record: 5-0
10/8 @ Nebraska Cornhuskers
6 of 13
Last Meeting: September 29, 1956
Result: W 34-7
Of all the games on schedule, this is the most likely loss.
This is the first game in which the Buckeye Five are eligible to return. This situation presents a double-edged sword. While it is great to have Pryor and Co. back, they will most likely be rusty after the extended layoff. Team chemistry could also be negatively impacted if a starter playing well is benched in favor of a returning Buckeye.
It doesn't help that the game is in Lincoln away from the friendly confines of Ohio Stadium.
All of this could portent doom. While Ohio State is the better team, they will probably slip up somewhere. The game against Nebraska looks like a good chance for that.
Prediction: L 17-20
Record: 5-1
10/15 @ Illinois Fighting Illini
7 of 13
Last Meeting: October 2, 2010
Result: W 24-13
The battle for the Illibuck trophy is usually closely contested. For whatever reason, Illinois plays their best against Ohio State.
That was the case last year when the Buckeyes won 24-13, scoring a late touchdown to put the game out of reach.
However, while Illinois is 3-2 at Ohio Stadium in their past five visits, the game is at Memorial Stadium where the Fighting Illini have dropped the past eight contests in the rivalry. Their last victory against Ohio State in Champaign was in 1991.
Terrelle Pryor and his fellow seniors have just a half-season to prove their worth to NFL scouts. They will not disappoint. A loss to Nebraska (which hopefully doesn't occur) would provide further motivation.
Prediction: W 24-7
Record: 6-1
10/29 Vs. Wisconsin Badgers
8 of 13
Last Meeting: October 16, 2010
Result: L 18-31
I feel sorry for Wisconsin. After the whipping they gave #1 ranked Ohio State, the Buckeyes will come out with a mean streak.
Just ask Purdue. In 2009, Ohio State lost 18-26. In 2010, the Buckeyes won 49-0.
Granted Wisconsin is better than Purdue. However, they lose QB Scott Tolzien, RB John Clay, OL Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt, TE Lance Kendricks and DL J.J. Watt among others. Despite the losses, they will still be a decent team albeit not on the level as the 2010 Rose Bowl one.
This game will be played at Ohio Stadium. Expect the Buckeyes to exact sweet revenge.
Prediction: W 27-13
Record: 7-1
11/5 Vs. Indiana Hoosiers
9 of 13
Last Meeting: October 9, 2010
Result: W 38-10
This game is almost an automatic win.
Not only has Tressel never lost to Indiana, the game will be played in Ohio Stadium. Even if the Buckeyes struggle (unlikely), they can lean on the home crowd for support.
Indiana finished 5-7 last year, though just 1-7 in conference games. Due to the lackluster season, the Hoosiers fired Bill Lynch and replaced him with Kevin Wilson.
If Ohio State wins by less than three touchdowns, this game will be chalked up as a disappointment.
Prediction: W 41-7
Record: 8-1
11/12 @ Purdue Boilermakers
10 of 13
Last Meeting: October 23, 2010
Result: W 49-0
Like Illinois, Purdue usually plays Ohio State tough.
The last time Ohio State played Purdue at West Lafayette, it was a disaster. Terrelle Pryor looked awful and was lucky to throw just two interceptions. There was much talk about moving him to wide receiver and even some discussion on Jim Tressel's future with the team.
It was a dark week for Ohio State fans.
Don't expect a repeat of the 2009 lapse. Ohio State is on a different level and should win this game, though it will be closer than most people expect.
Prediction: W 20-10
Record: 9-1
11/19 Vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
11 of 13
Last Meeting: November 13, 2010
Result: W 38-14
During the game last year, an announcer mentioned that Joe Paterno's teams had never scored more than one touchdown at the 'Shoe.
Penn State managed to reach that milestone but it didn't help much; they surrendered five touchdowns.
The Nittany Lions were dreadfully mediocre last season, going just 7-6 with a 4-4 record in Big Ten play. This year could be similarly frustrating for Penn State.
Of all the Big Ten teams, Penn State has posed the biggest problem for Jim Tressel. He has gone "just" 6-3 against the Nittany Lions.
With the problems Penn State has and Ohio Stadium limiting their scoring, the Buckeyes will win this game.
Prediction: W 24-10
Record: 10-1
11/26 @ Michigan Wolverines
12 of 13
Last Meeting: November 27, 2010
Result: W 37-7
And here... we... go.
Unfortunately, it's not that dramatic anymore. With Jim Tressel as head coach (9-1 record against Michigan), it has almost become an automatic Ohio State win.
Tressel has been aided by down Michigan teams over the past few years. It looks like that trend will continue; new head coach Brady Hoke (who could turn out to be a good one) runs a more traditional offense than the spread Rich Rodriguez championed. The problem is that Hoke has a roster full of spread players and it could take a few years before his system is properly implemented.
The Wolverines do have one thing in their favor; the game will be played at the Big House where Ohio State is not as offensively proficient, scoring 21 and 14 points respectively the last two visits.
Michigan may keep this close and give the Ann Arbor faithful reason to believe in an upset but this game will be won by the Buckeyes.
Prediction: W 17-7
Record: 11-1
Season Review
13 of 13
2011 Schedule Predictions
Record: 11-1
W Akron
W Toledo
W Miami
W Colorado
W Michigan State
L Nebraska
W Illinois
W Wisconsin
W Indiana
W Purdue
W Penn State
W Michigan
With an 11-1 record, Ohio State will represent the Leaders division in the Big Ten Championship Game. Iowa, Michigan State or Nebraska is the most likely opponent from the Legends division. Against either of these three teams, Ohio State should win.
As Big Ten champions, Ohio State will receive an invitation to play in the Rose Bowl or possibly the national championship game if they are ranked high enough. Regardless of how the situation plays out, Buckeye fans should be confident of success; with 6 BCS Bowl victories, Jim Tressel and Ohio State have more than any other college football program.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
