Ohio State Football: 5 Positions with the Most Question Marks in Spring 2011

In part one of this two-part look at the preview of Ohio State football going into spring practice, we examined the five positions on the field that fans shouldn't worry much about.

Here is part two, where we look at the five spots where the Buckeyes have question marks going into spring practices and eventually the season.

While the Buckeyes have to deal with distractions off the field resulting from their ongoing scandal, they also have plenty of question marks with only 12 returning starters, including the Suspended Five.

Here is a look at the five positions where the Buckeyes have the biggest question marks.

5. Offensive Line

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 02: Mike Adams #75 of the Ohio State Buckeyes prepares to block against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 24-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty

Games are won and lost on the trenches, and the Buckeyes have major questions up front to answer.

With both starting guards Justin Boren and Bryant Browning gone and LT Mike Adams suspended, the Buckeyes need to replace three starters at the outset.

Andrew Norwell will be expected to start at LT for the beginning of the season, while Jack Mewhort and Marcus Hall, both third-year players, will likely fill the vacancies at guard.

The depth on the offensive line is not exactly well tested, which could be a big problem until Adams comes back.

4. Cornerback

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with Chimdi Chekwa #5 of the Ohio State Buckeyes after Devon Torrence returned an interception 34-yards for a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions a

OSU's defense featured a pair of fast, physical corners in Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence who were very capable, and in the case of Chekwa, extremely talented.

Both graduated, leaving a huge vacancy in the Buckeye secondary.

Luckily, potential starter Travis Howard played great in the final few games of the season, and OSU does gain Florida State transfer Dionte Allen as well.

Outside of those two, there is not too much depth in terms of experience, although it is loaded with potential with guys like Dominic Clarke, Bradley Roby and blue-chip freshman Doran Grant.

This group will need to shine early to give the Buckeye defense an extra amount of juice in 2011.

3. Defensive End

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks exchanges words with Cameron Heyward #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second quarter during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orlean

In terms of impact for Ohio State, you just can't easily replace the void of Cameron Heyward.

They will have sack artist Nathan Williams returning, but not much in terms of proven experience.

Keith Wells will likely return from a year at JUCO to boost his grades, and 2009 blue-chip recruit Melvin Fellows will be looking to rebound from injury issues to make an impact in the DE rotation.

Luckily, their 2011 class features a pair of diverse, but highly-talented, DEs in power-rusher Kenny Hayes and the high-motor and quick Steve Miller.

Heyward's departure could be an issue, although OSU does have enough depth in potential to make up for his void in the short-term.

2. Wide Receiver

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: DeVier Posey #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on before taking on the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty

The suspension of DeVier Posey for the first five games of 2011 leaves a massive hole at the WR position, with its next two most-seasoned players totaling a combined 11 catches and one TD.

Corey Brown and Chris Fields are expected to be the starters, as they are the only other receivers on the roster with any career catches or touchdowns.

There is plenty of intriguing depth to be excited about with fast James Louis and 6'7" Tyrone Williams ready to go after redshirting in 2010.

Freshman Evan Spencer and Devin Smith each have a shot to get some playing time in a wide open race for catches.

When Posey returns for the Nebraska game, fans might breathe easier. But right now, the lack of experienced depth at WR is a major concern.

1. Quarterback

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates the Buckeyes 31-26 victory against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Pho

There is no more position more important in sports than the QB in any level of football.

And for Ohio State, no Terrelle Pryor for the first five games is something that will be felt immediately.

The four candidates for the starting job, Joe Bauserman, Kenny Guiton, Taylor Graham and true freshman Braxton Miller, have never started a game.

Pryor will miss spring practice due to foot surgery after the Sugar Bowl, meaning that first-team snaps will only have to be divided four ways instead of five.

He will be back in time for the big showdown October 8 at Nebraska, but the first five games are just as crucial as any game in the season.

Spring will give OSU fans a better idea of who will start, most likely turning into a competition between Bauserman and Miller.

But for right now, this is the biggest worry on the field that every Buckeye fan has going into 2011.

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