College Football Rankings 2011: How Ohio State Will Survive Suspensions

Head Coach of the Ohio State Buckeye's Jim Tressel has been suspended for the first five games of the season. On top of that, star quarterback Terrelle Pryor was suspended along with four other players for the first fives games as well. 

Those games are Akron, Toledo, Miami, Colorado and Michigan State. Will the Buckeye's be able to survive without these six helping the team? 

Interim Coach

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COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 30: Assistant Head Coach Luke Fickell speaks to the media during a press conference before the start of Spring practices at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center at The Ohio State University on March 30, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. Fickell wil

The Buckeye's have already named their interim coach, Luke Fickell, the linebackers coach. He will stand in Tressel's shoes for the first five games of the season. 

The rest of the team now has time to adapt to Fickell's role as the head coach. They can work to rebuild the team so they are ready for the first five games. 

Replacing Their Quarterback

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin

Someone will have to step up and take Terrelle Pryor's place.

The Buckeye's aren't hurting for options, it's just a matter of finding out who's right for the job. Joe Bauserman, Taylor Graham, Ken Guiton, Cardale Jones, Justin Siems and Braxton Miller are quarterbacks listed on the roster that have the potential to take over for Pryor during those first few games. 

Defensively Stronger

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: (L) Solomon Thomas #98 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with his teammates after he intercepts a pass to seal the 31-26 victory for the Buckeyes against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisian

The Buckeye's will have to rely more heavily on their defense during the beginning of the season. They won't be as aggressive offensively without Pryor. 

Senior Leadership

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Dan Herron #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates his nine-yard touchdown run with Reid Fragel #88 in the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2

With the team in this fragile state, the underclassmen will be looking to the seniors for leadership. The seniors need to exemplify an attitude that the rest of the team can look up to. 

It's Going to Be a Struggle

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Head coach Jim Tressel of the Ohio State Buckeyes gathers his team before the Allstate Sugar Bowl against the Arkansas Razorbacks at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Gray

Ohio State has a unique set of trials and tribulations coming into the 2011 season. They are on the right track to surviving, but it will still be difficult.

If they manage to pull through and thrive without the missing five players and Tressel, they will only be stronger once the are all reinstated.