The Buckeyes, of course, have proven many times over that they're capable of taking down their Big Ten Conference opposition. They've won outright or shared the conference title for five consecutive seasons.
But what Ohio State would like to do is make its way back to the Bowl Championship Series national title game. The Buckeyes have been absent since their back-to-back championship losses to Florida and LSU following the 2006 and 2007 seasons. OSU's last national crown came in the 2002 campaign —secured with a thrilling 31-24 double-overtime upset of Miami.
Coach Jim Tressel's 2010 squad could present Ohio State with its best championship opportunity since then. Not only will the No. 2-ranked Buckeyes return most of their key players from last year's Rose Bowl-winning team, they'll put some high-impact newcomers on the field.
Ohio State finished 11-2 in 2009, its losses being an 18-15 heartbreaker at home to USC and a 26-18 Big Ten stunner at Purdue. The Buckeyes ended the season on a six-game winning streak — including wins over Penn State, Iowa and Oregon. Will momentum carry on into 2010?
OSU opens the season Sept. 2 at home vs. Marshall, then faces is biggest early-season test on Sept. 11 — a home matchup with Miami. Their toughest stretch could be the final three weeks, when they take on Penn State, Iowa and Michigan.
Pryor Seeks Breakout Season
Ohio State, of course, is not known for originality on offense. The Buckeyes can pass, but they prefer to grind things out with their running game and let their traditionally staunch defense do the rest. That's one reason OSU ranked only 68th nationally in total offense (369 yards per game).
But even if the production's rather average, the talent is not. It starts with junior quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who is 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds, and has a cannon arm.
Pryor's had lot of good moments, and some bad ones in his two seasons. In 2009, he passed for 2,094 yards and 18 touchdowns, and rushed for 779 yards and seven TDs. On the flip side, he completed a less-than-stellar 56.6 percent of his passes, threw 11 interceptions, was sacked 22 times, and fumbled frequently.
Overall, Pryor's been effective — perhaps never more so than in the Rose Bowl victory over Oregon. But he's a junior now, and will be expected to perform with greater consistency. Luckily for Pryor, he has plenty of weaponry around him.
Buckeyes Bring Back Top Running Backs, Receivers
Brandon Saine (739 yards, 4 TDs) and Dan Herron (633 yards, 4 TDs) return to carry the load at running back. Redshirt freshman Jaamal Berry is also an option.
The Buckeyes lost standout blockers in tight end Jake Ballard and tackle Jim Cordle, but among those back to pave the way are fullback Zach Boren and older brother Zach — one of four returning starters on the offensive line.
The wide receiving duo of Deiver Posey and Dane Sanzabeacher is intact as well. Posey paced the Buckeyes with 60 catches for 828 yards and eight TDs last year, and Sanzebacher had 36 receptions for 570 yards and six TDs. FInding a No. 3 receiver will be pivotal. Candidates include Taurian Washington, and redshirt freshman Chris Fields.
The Buckeyes won't be the most explosive team in the world. Because of the way they play defense, they don't have to be. But Tressel's offense does need to get into a groove more quickly than it did last season.. Shoring up the kicking game is another concern.
Ohio State Defense Still Daunting
The Buckeyes lost key players like safety Kurt Coleman, end Thaddeus Gibson and tackle Doug Worthington from a defense that allowed only 12.5 points per game last year. But the OSU program is brimming with defensive depth, so it's capable of maintaining its high level play with nary a hiccup.
Linebackers Ross Holman returns after leading the Buckeyes with 108 tackles and five interceptions. So does linebacker Brian Rolle — the second-leading tackler — as well as defensive end Cameron Heyward, tackle Dexter Latimore, cornerbacks Devon Torrence and Chimdi Chekwa, and safety Jermale Hines.
The unit could even get better. Linebacker Dorian Bell and cornerback Corey Brown — two prized members of OSU's stellar 2009 recruiting class — enter the fray after redshirting last season.
Jon Matsune - Jon Matsune is a free-lance writer based in Northern California. He has 25 years of experience in newspaper journalism, mostly as a sports ...
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