2010 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Preview

2009 Results: 11-2, Big Ten Champions, Won Rose Bowl vs. Oregon

Head Coach: Jim Tressel (10th year, 94-21 @ OSU, 229-78-2 Overall)

Home Venue: Ohio Stadium (102,329), Columbus, Ohio

Jim Tressel has piloted one of the elite programs in college football during his tenure in Columbus. A National Championship in his 2nd season kicked off a four year winning streak in bowl games that included a 3-0 mark in BCS contests and the Buckeyes were considering one of the best big game teams in the country. After an undefeated regular season in 2006 that saw OSU swat down two #2 ranked competitors behind an overwhelming offense powered by Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, the Bucks were on top of the college football world. Unfortunately, that all came crashing down in shocking loss to Florida in the BCS Championship Game and Ohio State fell into a three year bowl losing skid that saw them fall short in big moments time and time again. Perhaps no team did more damage to the conference’s perception because the Buckeyes dominated the Big Ten in 2007 and 2008, posting a 14-2 league record, but they couldn’t get over the hump against elite out of conference opponents.

All of that changed in 2009. After a disappointing 5-2 start, Ohio State turned things around behind a vicious running game and a dominant defense. The Buckeyes defeated a top ten Iowa squad to clinch a share of their 5th straight conference crown and then beat archrival Michigan for the 6th straight time to ensure Tressel’s first trip to the Rose Bowl. And it was in Pasadena that the trials and tribulations of the previous two seasons were finally redeemed as Tressel unleashed quarterback Terrelle Pryor against Oregon. Pryor’s career best day coupled with a dominant defensive showing resulted in Ohio State’s first BCS bowl victory since 2005 and turned the Buckeyes from the team that couldn’t win the big one into a very dangerous team capable of winning it all entering the 2010 campaign.

After all, it wasn’t like Tressel forgot how to coach: He’s won five national championships, including OSU’s stunning 2002 Championship campaign. And the team he brings back this fall might be his best team yet. Sixteen starters form the core of a team that is unanimously ranked in the top five to begin the season. Ohio State is clearly the favorite in the Big Ten: Can the Buckeyes win their 6 th straight conference championship and return to the National Championship Game?

OFFENSE

2009 was a transition season for the Ohio State offense. While they scored 29 points per game to finish 4th in the Big Ten, Pryor was still evolving into a real quarterback and the Buckeyes did most of their damage on the ground. OSU ran for over 200 yards in their final five regular season games before Pryor’s breakout Rose Bowl game carried them into the offseason. With virtually everyone back, can Ohio State become a more balanced offense in 2010?

Everything revolves around Pryor (2,094 pass yards, 18 pass TDs, 11 INT, 779 rush yards, 7 TDs in ’09) taking the next step as a passer. His athletic gifts are unquestioned but it was his 266 yard, 2 TD showing through the air against Oregon that proved he wasn’t just a running quarterback, but a quarterback who can run. With 23 starts as an underclassman, Pryor should be on the Heisman Trophy shortlist as a junior this fall.

Pryor will have a good group of receivers to work with in the passing game. Junior DeVier Posey (60 catches, 828 yards, 8 TDs) was a 2nd Team All-Big Ten selection last fall and could be Ohio State’s first 1,000 yard receiver since Michael Jenkins in 2003. He’ll pair with gutsy senior Dane Sanzenbacher (36 catches, 570 yards, 6 TDs) in the starting lineup. Two other players to keep an eye on will be sophomore tight end Jake Stoneburner, whose leaping grabs were the highlight of spring practice and senior running back Brandon Saine (224 receiving yards, 2 TDs), who had two huge catches in the Rose Bowl victory. If Pryor develops like most people expect, this will be a dangerous group of wide receivers.

But this is a Jim Tressel offense and the running game will always rule the day. Even during Troy Smith’s Heisman season in 2006, the Buckeyes averaged 170 yards per game on the ground! OSU is absolutely loaded in the backfield this fall, as Saine (739 yards, 4 TDs) will pair with junior Boom Herron (600 yards, 7 TDs) as the starting tandem. Another player to watch closely is sophomore Jordan Hall (248 yards, 1 TD), who showed excellent vision as a true freshman in ’09. Factor in Pryor’s exceptional running abilities and this has the makings of a dynamic ground game.

Finally, Ohio State’s oft-maligned offensive line finally broke through in the 2nd half last fall and there are four upperclassmen starters returning this season. Senior guard Justin Boren was a 1st Team All-Big Ten selection and he will pair with classmate Bryant Browning to form a powerful inside tandem. Meanwhile, junior center Michael Brewster is one of the Big Ten’s best pivots and he could turn into an elite player in his 3rd season starting. With two strong juniors at the tackles, this could easily be the best Buckeye offensive line since 2005 and that spells nothing but trouble for the rest of the league.

This unit has the potential to be an elite offense, if the Rose Bowl is any indication of Pryor’s progression. The Buckeyes have one of the country’s top offensive lines and a stable of runners that can pound out yards against any defense. However, if Pryor really becomes a complete quarterback this fall, the added threat of beating teams through the air will make this group very difficult to defend. This fall, I expect Ohio State to have their best offensive season since Smith’s Heisman campaign.

DEFENSE

Ohio State’s defense has become a machine. In the last four seasons, they’ve held opponents under 14 points per game in every campaign! Last fall was the best year during that run, as OSU finished 2nd in the Big Ten at a paltry 12.5 points per contest. With a runaway league lead in turnovers during conference play, the Buckeyes had a fantastic season. Now there are seven starters returning from that group: Can they continue their dominant defensive run?

The most talented player on the entire defense is senior Cameron Heyward (46 tackles, 6.5 sacks), who was a 2nd team All-Big Ten selection last year. He’s capable of playing both defensive end and tackle and will almost never come off of the field. The other returning starter is classmate Dexter Larimore (20 tackles), who is a mountain on the inside. While the Bucks lost two draft picks up front from the ’09 edition, they have a ton of returning depth. Expect junior Nate Williams (26 tackles, 3.5 sacks) to harass quarterbacks all season after playing extensively during the last two years and sophomore tackle John Simon (15 tackles, 1.5 sacks) was extremely disruptive as a true freshman. He was repeatedly praised for his work ethic and should be a key cog in one of the country’s best D-Lines.

But the most experienced position on defense is linebacker, where seniors Ross Homan (108 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 INT, 1st Team All-Big Ten) and Brian Rolle (95 tackles, 1 INT, 2 nd Team All-Big Ten) are two of the conference’s best tacklers. After a fantastic campaign in ’09, expect similarly strong production this fall.

The Buckeyes are also very experienced in the defensive backfield, as they have three senior starters returning. Cornerbacks Chimdi Chekwa (43 tackles, 1 INT) and Devon Torrence (35 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INT) will form one of the conference’s best tandems and safety Jermale Hines (57 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INT) is one of the best pure athletes in the league. While the Buckeyes will miss 3rd Team All-American Kurt Coleman, there is a ton of depth and athleticism on hand. Expect another strong showing through the air for the ballhawking Buckeyes.

Overall, this is just a superb defense. The D-Line rivals Iowa’s as the best in the conference, the linebackers are one of the best units in the entire country and the secondary is chock full of experience. Every single returning starter is a senior and this should be the Big Ten’s most intractable defense in 2010.

> Buy Ohio State Buckeyes apparel and Ohio State Buckeyes hats & jerseys and find a great selection of college Fathead logos & helmets online through College Sports Fans!

SCHEDULE

As always, Ohio State’s non-conference schedule includes one marquee game. This year, the Miami Hurricanes come to Columbus to face OSU for the first time since their classic 2002 championship showdown. Miami should be ranked in the top 20 when these two teams face off, so expect the eyes of the nation to be on the Horseshoe for this one. Otherwise, the non-league slate is pretty vanilla, as Marshall, Ohio and Eastern Michigan come to Columbus in September.

The Big Ten schedule is an interesting mix. The Bucks start out slowly with a visit to Illinois and a home tilt against Indiana, but things get interesting quick. Ohio State has two road night games in three weeks as they sandwich trips to Wisconsin and Minnesota around a home revenge game against Purdue, who beat them in West Lafayette last season. The Wisconsin game is one of the most important clashes of the season and is one of the major stumbling blocks for the Buckeyes this fall.

After an off week, Ohio State has the same closing three as 2009: Penn State, Iowa and Michigan. The Iowa game is the only one that takes place on the road and it could end up being the game that decides the league championship for the 2nd consecutive season. Finally, the rivalry game against the hated Wolverines is always a threat, even though Michigan is not expected to be competitive this fall. UM could be playing for their coach’s job, but Tressel always has his teams ready for Michigan, so a 7th straight win is a distinct possibility. This is a tough schedule with trips to Iowa and Wisconsin but the Bucks do avoid Michigan State and Northwestern, so it is a fair slate.

OUTLOOK

The Buckeyes were ranked 2nd in the preseason Coaches’ Poll and that shows the level of respect for this team coming into the fall. The Buckeyes were seen as a talented but young team in ‘09, especially on offense, but now they’re one of the best teams in the country.

The offense will feature a pounding running game that will benefit from one of the country’s best O-Lines. With four runners capable of breaking games wide open, including their fleet-footed quarterback, Ohio State is going to be tough to stop on the ground. But Pryor’s progress as a passer makes this offense extremely dangerous and Posey could be one of the country’s premiere pass catchers by the end of the season. This team is going to score a ton of points in 2010.

Then there’s the excellent defense, which is loaded with senior talent. The Buckeyes are strong at all levels and every single starting senior could be drafted in next April! Furthermore, few teams have the proven track record of brilliance that OSU does on defense, so it really isn’t a stretch to expect another exceptional campaign.

So how will this season of high expectations play out for the Buckeyes? The first key game comes in week two against Miami, an undoubtedly talented and improved squad. However, the Hurricanes have one fatal flaw: Their O-Line had trouble against the powerful D-Lines of Virginia Tech and Wisconsin last year and they’ve been forced to shuffle it in the offseason. Expect the Buckeyes to harass Hurricane QB Jacory Harris en route to a big home victory.

The next major test will come against Wisconsin in the snake pit of Camp Randall Stadium. However, Pryor was victorious two years ago as a true freshman in the exact same situation, so don’t expect OSU to be intimidated. With a questionable D-Line, I expect Ohio State to pound the football to victory over the Badgers.

Then there’s the November closing kick that will define their season, much like it did in 2009. Ohio State hosts talented but offensively flawed Penn State after an off week and I expect the Buckeyes to defend home turf. That could potentially set up a showdown with an undefeated or one loss Iowa team in Iowa City that would bring a sense of déjà vu to the Big Ten Championship. Remember, these two teams met in a winner-take-all clash last year as well! While this will be a difficult contest, Ohio State is the more talented team and Pryor’s playmaking skill could be the difference.

That means that archrival Michigan will be the only thing standing in their way of a 4th trip to the BCS Championship Game under Tressel. The Buckeyes have had a singular focus on the Wolverines since Tressel’s arrival and his 8-1 record against their most hated rival is a direct reflection of the coach and his preparation. With an overwhelming talent advantage and home field, I expect the Buckeyes to hand Rich Rodriguez his final defeat as Michigan’s head coach and move on to the National Championship Game in Glendale, Arizona. That means that the Ohio State Buckeyes are my choice to win the 2010 Big Ten Championship.

As crazy as it sounds, I’m projecting their opponent to be the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who are going to be a conference rival next season! The Huskers are stacked on defense and will feature a powerful running game; in many ways they’re a close match to the 2009 Alabama team that won the National Title. However, Ohio State will have a big edge at quarterback and Pryor’s evolved passing abilities will be the different in a hard-fought championship affair. Eight years after winning his first championship, Jim Tressel’s second crown as the Buckeyes’ head coach will be even sweeter as the struggles that began in 2006 against Florida will come full circle in the same place four years later as he holds the Crystal Trophy aloft.

PREDICTED RESULT: 12-0 (8-0 Big Ten)