Ohio State Football: The 10 Worst-Case Scenarios for the Buckeyes in 2011

Sunday night, we examined the 10 best-case scenarios for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2011.

Now we will look at the other side of the coin and look at 10 worst-case scenarios for Ohio State going into this season.

With all of the offseason drama circling the program, this team really could go either way mentally.

Here are 10 scenarios that would make Ohio State fans cringe this year.

1. The NCAA Levies a Lack of Institutional Control Charge Against Ohio State

The August 12 hearing in front of the NCAA infractions committee is the ultimate wildcard when it comes to the Jim Tressel crisis.

One thing that many fans were worried about was if the date were pushed back because that could only mean bad things and that the NCAA had some new information.

But even though the date has not changed and North Carolina's allegations did not warrant an LOIC charge, that doesn't mean Ohio State will be given the same fate.

The athletic department has not handled the situation smoothly at all, and Gene Smith's job is still hanging by a thread.

The most likely way for Ohio State to keep the punishments down to a minimum is to prove to the NCAA that the violations were localized to Tressel's coverup and the transgressions of the "Suspended Five."

2. Joe Bauserman Starts and Is Who We Thought He Was

Joe Bauserman is best known as Terrelle Pryor's backup for the past two seasons.

With Pryor gone from OSU, Bauserman is one of the favorites for the starting job along with freshman Braxton Miller. And based on the past year, that is not a good idea to most Buckeye fans.

Bauserman struggled last season, despite some solid statistics including a 72.7 percent completion rate and two TDs to one INT.

But when he had a chance to seize the starting job in the spring outright, he flopped, putting up the least efficient statistics of the four Buckeye QBs fighting for the job.

Not many fans have confidence in Bauserman, and it doesn't seem like he has the ability to be a difference-maker at QB at a top program like Ohio State needs in order to succeed.

3. No RB Steps Up as the No. 1 Option Behind Dan Herron

One of the things that has Ohio State fans excited for this season is the incredible depth at the RB position, with Dan Herron (under a five-game suspension), Jordan Hall, Jaamal Berry and Rod Smith all capable of being good backs.

But what might happen if when Herron is under suspension, none of the last three backs are able to step up in his absence?

That could be a possibility considering most of these backs have not seen much time against first-team competition.

They will get a chance to practice into good athletes on the OSU defense, but there's also a possibility, especially if the Buckeyes don't throw much, for the running game to struggle all season.

4. The Defense Can't Hold Up Throughout the Season

Ohio State has always been considered a team that doesn't rebuild, but reloads on defense.

But this year's defense has a big challenge in front of it: to replace seven starters, five of whom were drafted into the NFL.

And among the losses were some big-time multi-year contributors, including LB Ross Homan, DB Chimdi Chekwa and DE Cameron Heyward.

The loss of that kind of leadership is hard to make up, and most of the talent on the roster, though loaded in potential, doesn't always mean everything.

And it won't help their confidence if the OSU offense fails to produce like it could under Pryor and Tressel.

5. The Offense Becomes Consistently Stagnant

Without Jim Tressel calling most of the plays, that burden might fall mainly on offensive coordinator Jim Bollman, which to some doesn't inspire any confidence.

Add that to the fact that Ohio State will be starting a new, likely inexperienced QB and a lack of experience in the WR corps and that could be a recipe for disaster.

The first two games of the season against Akron and Toledo will likely be a chance for the Buckeyes to find an offensive identity.

And if they aren't able to do so consistently, it may be really hard to get it at any point in the season.

6. The Young Wide Receivers Don't Step Up

Just as much as the depth at RB is a comforting thought to Buckeye fans, the depth, or lack thereof, at the WR position makes them cringe.

It doesn't help much at senior DeVier Posey is suspended for the first five games of the season.

To add to the concern, not too many WRs stepped up in spring practices and there is a possibility of RB Jordan Hall being moved to a slot receiver full-time.

Sophomore Corey Brown has No. 1 potential, but still has questions when it comes to consistently catching the ball.

Other than that, the depth is somewhat sketchy and someone will need to have a big surge in fall camps otherwise the OSU offense could get grounded.

7. Luke Fickell Leaves and No High-Profile Name Wants the Job

This may be highly unlikely for a number of reasons—namely because Luke Fickell was a born and bred Buckeye and the allure of one of the most prestigious coaching jobs in America.

But there always exists a potential due to the uncertainty of the job that a high-profile name like Urban Meyer or Jon Gruden would not want the job under those circumstances.

And there could be a potential situation if Fickell does not succeed and he doesn't want to come back to coach the team next year.

That's a very unlikely possibility, but situations involving NCAA violations are always tough to predict, and the next head coach at Ohio State might ultimately be different from who people want for the job as a result.

8. The Injury Bug Ravages the Team Like Last Season

One of the main things that might have cost Ohio State a shot at the national championship in 2010 was a rush of serious injuries that affected the team.

Safeties C.J. Barnett and Tyler Moeller missed the entire season, and other players such as Ross Homan and S Christian Bryant suffered major injuries as well.

Those injuries came back to haunt the Buckeyes in the loss at Wisconsin where the defense was gashed repeatedly and looked tired at times.

If lightning strikes twice, it could make a tough 2011 season even tougher if they can't stay healthy.

9. The NCAA Delays Its Sanctions Beyond the Season

The only thing worse for Ohio State than getting severe sanctions is if they don't get them until after this season.

That might potentially be the worst possible scenario for the program is if the end result of the NCAA probe drags on for months.

Fear of the unknown enemy is much worse than the known enemy.

The best thing would be for Ohio State, no matter how severe the sanctions are, to find out the punishment as quickly as possible.

10. Ohio State Loses to Michigan

This one is self-explanatory, especially considering the dominance of Ohio State over Michigan, winning the last seven meetings.

The matchup on November 27 in Ann Arbor will be the first time since 1929 that first-year coaches will be on both sides of The Game, OSU's Luke Fickell and Michgan's Brady Hoke.

Ohio State is clearly the more talented team, especially defensively. A healthy Denard Robinson for Michigan would make things more interesting, but he may also be very limited in his running ability in Hoke's pro-style offense.

But anything can happen in college football, especially when Ohio State is on the road in Ann Arbor.

Better Ohio State teams have gone into Ann Arbor and left with losses, including the 1969 team and many of John Cooper's 1990 teams.

If Ohio State loses at Michigan given the great disparity of talent, it may truly be the greatest on-field failure of the 2011 season.

For more college football news and updates, visit The BCS Blitz and follow me on Twitter @bielik_tim.