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2006 Buckeyes Forecast, Recruiting, and The Game (Merged)

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808 Buck said:
The above discussion regarding the receivers got me thinking about other position battles that will be fun to watch this spring:

1. Even more than the backers, what's happening at corner? Jenkins should be solid, and Amos vs. Coleman will be interesting. Been quiet on the Underwood front lately. There's opportunity for new guys here.
2. Obviously all eyes will be watching to see who emerges at the LB spots. The possibilities and combinations are endless.
3. Penton vs. the DE's - again, there are a lot of things that could happen. If Penton has a great spring, it could push Patterson out to end. If the ends step up, Patterson stays inside. The way Heacock rotates, a lot of guys should see time.
4. Pretorious vs. Pettrey - in JT's eyes, this is probably the most important battle.
5. Boeckman vs. Schoenhoft - yeah, I know, who cares who's #3? But I think it will be interesting to see who gets a leg up heading into 2007.
6. Wells vs. Wells vs. Haw - This should be a fun one to watch. Contrasting styles, we'll see who produces running with the ones (with Pittman out).

Fun to speculate about what happens. New faces in a lot of places. Older guys with new roles, a now or never mentality for some. Should make for some great competition this spring.
Click to expand...

Yeah these are the matchups, along with what we will do with the oline whether or not Datish will move to center or Cordle will step up and who will take the role as the 4th WR(Dukes, Robiske, Hartline).

I think DB is the most open position. The only guy we can obviously pencil in is Jenkins and that is just b/c he started and played alot last year. There are a ton of guys that could man the safety or the other corner spot and then there is a nickel spot open.

As for LB I am looking forward to seeing which of the young guys step up. Lots of talent and potential there.

I think JRich steps up and plays opposite of Wilson. I didnt realize how much time both of these guys got in the Fiesta bowl and both were impressive in that game.

As for RB I think CWells/Pittman is going to be a one to punch. I think we could see MoWells in the Shot-Ginn formation trying to get him the ball in space. As for Haw, I think he is just going to be behind a ton of talent. He is going to have to wait for his turn to tote the rock, unless he has a major spring and gets that one two punch with Pittman. If one for some reason go down with injury we have very capable backups.(knock on wood)
 
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Link

4/26

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td class="yspsctnhdln">Ohio State hopes rest with inexperienced defense</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="7"><spacer type="block" height="1" width="1"></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> By Olin Buchanan, Rivals.com College Football Staff Writer
<table id="ysparticleheadshot" align="left" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" hspace="5" vspace="5"> <tbody><tr> <td class="ysptblbdr2"> <table class="yspwhitebg" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td> <table class="yspwhitebg" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td>
olinbuchanan.gif
</td></tr><tr><td></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> [SIZE=-1]COLUMBUS, Ohio[/SIZE]
In Jay Richardson's first four football seasons at Ohio State he would look around the Buckeyes defense and see fast, talented, experienced teammates.
The fifth-year senior defensive end still does. Well, except for the experienced part. But he insists his teammates remain fast and talented and that two out of three means the Buckeyes' defense ain't bad.
<!--START SIDE-->
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="250"> <tbody><tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#896d45">An Inside Look </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#dbcfc7">Old reliable: Wide receiver. The Buckeyes seem to mass produce NFL-caliber receivers, and Ted Ginn Jr. is the next one. Anthony Gonzalez might be one, too. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#ebe6e3"> Promising newcomer: Of course, most attention is on heralded tailback Chris Wells, who had 48 yards on 11 carries. But linebacker Ross Homan, another early enrollee, drew raves all spring and was seemingly everywhere in the spring game. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#dbcfc7">Solid unit: Quarterback. Troy Smith and Justin Zwick played only one quarter each, but Tressel already knows what he has with them. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#ebe6e3">Unit that needs work: Secondary. None of the 2005 starters return. Next year's starting lineup could include three sophomores — Jamario O'Neal, Malcolm Jenkins and Nick Patterson. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#dbcfc7">Cover two or cover who?: Ohio State has some potential issues in the secondary, but Buckeyes opponents will have more. At least the Buckeyes won't have to cover their own receivers. As if Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez didn't pose enough problems, big senior Roy Hall (6-3, 240 pounds) had five catches on Saturday, and sophomore Brian Hartline caught seven. Sophomore Brian Robiskie looks like a deep threat. </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<!--END SIDE--> "Ohio State is always going to have talent," the 6-foot-6, 276-pound Richardson said on Saturday after the Buckeyes' spring game in which the Scarlet defeated the Gray 12-0. "We just don't have the experience at linebacker and in the secondary. But talent is never at issue here. Once you've got talent that's half the battle. Then, everything else will fall into place." Could that be first place — as in No. 1 in the nation? A lot of college football observers think so.
After last season's 10-2 campaign, which included a Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame, the Buckeyes will be among the preseason picks to win the national championship. Rivals.com rates Ohio State preseason No. 1.
Yet, those expectations are based on the offensive skills of quarterback Troy Smith, running back Antonio Pittman and receivers Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez.
Any doubts about Ohio State are found on defense, where the Buckeyes must replace nine starters, including its terrific linebacker trio of A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel and NFL-bound defensive backs Ashton Youboty and Donte Whitner.
"Everybody knows we have a good offense coming back," said sophomore cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, a spot starter last season expected to move into a full-time role. "They don't know about our young defensive players and how much talent we have. They don't realize we're just as talented as last year, if not more."
Whether they can be as effective is the question, and the spring game offered little clues for an answer.
Even without All-American candidate defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock, who was out with an injury, the defenses combined for six sacks, three interceptions and surrendered only 59 rushing yards, while allowing just a touchdown and a field goal. The Scarlet defense also scored a safety when tackle Todd Denlinger stopped Maurice Wells.
Sophomore linebacker Marcus Freeman had 10 tackles and true freshman Ross Homan had eight tackles and a sack. Sophomore linebacker James Laurinaitis, sophomore cornerback Jamario O'Neal and freshman safety Kurt Coleman had interceptions and four different defensive linemen had sacks — including Richardson, who had two.
However, skeptics would point out that Kirk Barton and Doug Datish, two of the Buckeyes' top offensive linemen, did not play either. Starting quarterback Smith completed four consecutive passes in leading the Scarlet to an easy touchdown on his only series.
Backup quarterbacks Rob Schoenhoft and Todd Boeckman combined to pass for 298 yards.
That would seem to hint at possible growing pains at linebacker and in the secondary when the Buckeyes face Texas, Penn State and Iowa in the first month of next season.
"At the linebacker spot we have competitive guys with height, weight and speed," coach Jim Tressel said. "They don't have experience, but they're very, very bright. I think we'll have great battles to see who emerges.
"In the secondary we have a little more experience with the inside guys (safeties) than the outside guys (cornerbacks). I'm like their position coaches. I want to help them develop and be good enough for that September schedule."
Richardson isn't too worried. Besides, he said, the front four might be good to carry the load if the rest of the Buckeyes defense needs time to develop.
"We have a chance to have a front four that can put on a lot of pressure," Richardson said. "That's the formula for a good defense. If you have a good front four you can do anything."
<!--START GRADES--> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#896d45">Making the Grade </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#dbcfc7"> Quarterback: 9.0
A threat to run and pass, the versatile Troy Smith could do for Ohio State what Vince Young did for Texas. He'll come out of the gates as one of the Heisman Trophy favorites. Justin Zwick, a former starter, is a heck of a backup. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#ebe6e3">Running back: 8.0
This is based on what Antonio Pittman did last year when he rushed for 1,331 yards, and the vast potential of freshman Chris Wells. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#dbcfc7">Wide receiver: 8.5
How do you lose a probable first-round draft choice in Santonio Holmes and still have some of the best receivers in the country? Well, you start with Heisman Trophy candidate Ted Ginn Jr. Junior Anthony Gonzalez — almost an afterthought behind Holmes and Ginn last season — is a big-play guy, too. However, he must prove he can remain as productive in the role of the No. 2 receiver. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#ebe6e3">Tight end: 6.0
Rory Nicol is obviously recovered from the foot injury that forced him out last season. He caught two passes for 33 yards. Incoming freshmen Andy Miller and Jake Ballard could see action right away. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#dbcfc7">Offensive line: 6.5
Three new starting roles must be filled. Doug Datish may move from tackle to center. Also, tackle Alex Boone is in a measure of limbo after a DUI charge. Under a new school policy, DUI offenders could be dismissed from school for a quarter. Cynics and Michigan fans would translate that to mean the first quarter of the Northern Illinois game. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#ebe6e3">Defensive line: 7.5
Tackles Quinn Pitcock and David Patterson are proven and productive, and the ends are athletic. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#dbcfc7">Linebacker: 6.5
Depth is a plus with no fewer than six capable of starting. But none of them has, so excuse the caution. True freshman Ross Homan could be special. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#ebe6e3">Defensive back: 6.0
See above. Sophomores Jamario O'Neal and Malcolm Jenkins look very athletic. Still, there were a lot open receivers on Saturday. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 4px;" bgcolor="#dbcfc7">Special teams: 8.0
Kickoff coverage was stellar. Punter A.J. Trapasso averaged 46.3 yards and had one kick downed on the 1-yard line. And doesn't Ohio State always have a good field goal kicker?</td></tr></tbody> </table>
 
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CFB

6/16

<table id="table2" border="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td width="397">[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1][FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif]Ohio State Buckeyes[/FONT]
Preview 2006[/SIZE][/FONT]</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff">
</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
Ohio%20State%20-%20Troy%20SmithW%20HB.gif
[SIZE=-1]By[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1] [/SIZE] [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1] [FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1] Pete Fiutak[/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1]
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If you were wondering what kind of a monster Ohio State has become under head coach Jim Tressel, take a look at the respect the 2006 team is getting after losing an array of future NFL stars.
[/SIZE] [FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1]
Seriously, who loses five number one draft picks, the entire defensive back seven, the number one receiver, and two tremendous offensive linemen and is supposed to be better than the year before? [/SIZE][/SIZE][/FONT]​
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1] It's partially due to the lack of a true number one team to start the season, and it's partially due to quarterback Troy Smith and an offense that should light up most defenses like a Christmas tree, but it's mostly due to the recruiting. Ohio State is one of the select few that can lose players like A.J. Hawk, Donte Whitner, Bobby Carpenter, Santonio Holmes, Nick Mangold, Ashton Youboty, Anthony Schlegel, Nate Salley, and Rob Sims, and immediately replace them with athletes just as strong, just as fast, and just as talented.

Of course, it's asking too much for all the new starters to immediately play like first round draft picks, but the expectations have gone out of control after winning fifty games, including four of the last five against Michigan, a national title, three BCS games, and four straight bowl games under Tressel. Simply put, anything less than a national title will be seen as a disappointment in Columbus.

No pressure there. [/SIZE][/SIZE][/FONT]​
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1] [FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1] [FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1] [FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1] [/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] <table id="table3" align="right" border="0" cellspacing="4" width="170"> <tbody><tr> <td> [FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Head coach: Jim Tressel
6th year: 50-13
21st year overall: 185-70-2[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Ten Best OSU Players
1. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica][SIZE=-1] Q[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica][SIZE=-1]B Troy Smith, Sr.
2. WR/KR Ted Ginn Jr., Jr.
3. DT Quinn Pitcock, Sr.
4. RB Antonio Pittman, Jr.
5. OT Alex Boone, Soph.
6. OT Kirk Barton, Jr.
7. CB Malcolm Jenkins, Soph.
8. C Doug Datish, Sr.
9. LB Marcus Freeman, Soph.
10. DT David Patterson, Sr. [/SIZE][/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td>[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif] [FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1] [/FONT] <table id="table5" width="160"> <tbody><tr> <td colspan="2" align="left" bgcolor="#cc0000" width="146">
2006 Schedule
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]CFN Prediction: coming[/FONT]​
</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] 9/2[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="119"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Northern Illinois[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]9/9[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="119"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] at Texas[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]9/[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]16[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="119"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Cincinnati[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]9/23[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="119"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Penn State[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] 9/30[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="119"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] at Iowa[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]10/7[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="119"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Bowling Green[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]10/14[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="119"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] at Michigan State[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]10/21[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="119"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Indiana[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]10/2[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]8[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="119"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Minnesota[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]11/4[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="119"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] at Illinois[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]11/11[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="119"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] at Northwestern[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]11/1[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]8[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="119"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Michigan [/FONT]</td> </tr> </tbody></table> [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1][FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1] [/SIZE][/FONT] [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1][FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1] [/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td>[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif] <table id="table6" width="160"> <tbody><tr> <td colspan="2" align="left" bgcolor="#cc0000" width="146">
2005 Schedule
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]CFN Prediction: [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] 10-1
2005 Record: 10-[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]2[/FONT][FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Preview 2005 predicted wins[/FONT][/FONT]​
</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]9/[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]3[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="123"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Miami Univ.[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica] W 34-14[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]9/10[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="123"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Texas[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica] L 25-22[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]9/17[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="123"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] San Diego St[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica] W 27-6[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] 9/24[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="123"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Iowa[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica] W 31-6[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]10/8[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="123"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] at Penn State L 17-10[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]10/15[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="123"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Michigan St[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica] W 35-24[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]10/22[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="123"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] at Indiana[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica] W 41-10[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]10/29[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="123"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] at Minnesota[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica] W 45-31[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]11/5[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="123"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Illinois[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica] W 40-2[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]11/12[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="123"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Northwestern[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica] W 48-7[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]11/19[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="123"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] at [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Michigan W 25-21[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" width="27">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]1/2[/FONT]</td> <td align="left" width="123"> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Fiesta Bowl
Notre Dame W 34-20[/FONT]</td> </tr> </tbody></table> [/FONT] </td> </tr> </tbody></table> [/SIZE][/FONT] [/SIZE][/FONT] [SIZE=-1]
But the makings are there for this team to get the job done. If it's not the number one team going into the season, it'll be in just about everyone's top three. It has a high profile showdown at Texas which could mean a rock-solid number one ranking with a win, and a loss would come early enough that a national title shot would still be a possibility by winning out. There secondary is full of big, fast athletes that looked like seasoned veteran throughout spring ball. The linebacking corps replaces the legendary trio of Hawk, Schlegel and Carpenter with seven talented options to form a great rotation. And then there's the offense.

Smith is expected to be this year's Vince Young. After two years of clutch performances in several big games, and with his knowledge of the Buckeye offense that will allow for more spread formations, it's all there to have a Heisman caliber season. He has Ted Ginn Jr. to throw to, and Antonio Pittman along with superstar recruit Chris Wells in the backfield. To make Buckeye haters even more nervous, the line might be the best yet in the Tressel era with two tremendous tackles and enough depth to form a solid second team.

Of course, with everything going for them, the Buckeyes will have to avoid a 2004-like letdown if there are problems early on. That team was much like this year's version; it was loaded with talent, but it had to replace a slew of stars. Experienced teams loaded with veterans win close games; teams with plenty of new starters, even talented ones, tend to have issues when things get tight.

And that's where Smith is supposed to come in. If he really is VY part two, he'll be the leader who gets the team out of jams and makes all the big plays he has to. Fortunately for OSU, he won't have to do it too often because of ...​
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[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1]The Schedule: Let's cut to the chase here. Game against Northern Illinois, Cincinnati, Bowling Green, Indiana, Minnesota, at Illinois, and at Northwestern will be mere formalities unless all the planets are aligned absolutely perfectly. Considering Wisconsin has beaten the Buckeyes in the last two meetings and that Purdue should be better, missing those two from the Big Ten slate isn't a bad thing. At Texas on September 9th is the one the world is waiting for, and at Michigan State will be much tougher than expected. The other two potential battles are in Columbus against Penn State and Michigan. In other words, if the Buckeyes can get by the Longhorns, things are as favorable as can be reasonably asked for. [/SIZE][/FONT]​
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1]Best Offensive Player: Senior QB Troy Smith. Michigan fans liked to joke that Smith was the second best pro quarterback in Ohio behind Carson Palmer after the Buckeye star got suspended for taking money from a booster. Ohio State has had all the laughs recently in the last two wins against the Wolverines thanks to Smith after he completed 40 of 60 passes for 541 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, 282 rushing yards, and two touchdowns.[/SIZE][/FONT]​
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1]Best Defensive Player: [/SIZE][/FONT] [SIZE=-1]Senior DT Quinn Pitcock. While he doesn't get a lot of headlines and his stats are hardly eye-popping, the 6-3, 295-pound senior is one of the nation's best tackles. He's strong enough to occupy two blockers without a problem, and quick enough to force the action in the backfield.[/SIZE]​
Key player to a successful season: Sophomore PK Ryan Pretorius and redshirt freshman PK Aaron Pettrey. Ohio State hasn't had to worry about field goals for several years with Mike Nugent and Josh Huston among the best in the nation. Can Pretorius and Pettrey be as clutch? If not, the offense might have to open it up just a little bit more in close games.​
The season will be a success if ... The Buckeyes play for the national title. The schedule is too favorable and the Texas games comes just early enough that anything less than a game on January 8th, 2007 in Glendale, Arizona will be a major disappointment.​
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1]Key game: Sept. 30 at Iowa. Of course everyone is jacked up for the Texas game on September 9th, and the Michigan game is always one of the must-see games of the year, but Iowa has the type of team that can win the Big Ten title, and has a good enough schedule that it can reasonably dream about playing for a national title. If the Buckeyes aren't razor-sharp, national championship and Big Ten title dreams can go bye-bye.[/SIZE][/FONT]​
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1]2005 Fun Stats:
- Sacks: Ohio State 44 for 291 yards - Opponents 18 for 110 yards
- Second quarter scoring: Ohio State 111 - Opponents 41
- Time of possession: Ohio State 32:00 - Opponents 28:00
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Offensive Linemen[SIZE=-1]It's amazing the Buckeyes have had the success they've had over the last few seasons without the benefit of a killer offensive line. Despite struggling at times this spring, this year's group has the potential to be the best by far in the Jim Tressel era if all the parts play as well as expected. Alex Boone is an All-American waiting to happen at left tackle, while Kirk Barton is on the verge of All-Big Ten stardom on the other side. There's a little bit of movement to get the best players on the field with starting tackle Doug Datish taking over at center to get Boone on the field. The depth is big and athletic with enough options to play around with several different combinations.[/SIZE]The key to the unit: Be consistent. This could be the Big Ten's best offensive line if it plays up to its potential.
Offensive Line Rating: 9




 
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Oh lord its June 19th , Ive already watched every one of the taped games i have ( at least twice) ive read all the buckeyes sites. Now i get to read all these articles. Now what. lmao
 
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Running Backs
This should be interesting. Antonio Pittman emerged as a star last season with eight 100-yard games, but it's possible he's the team's third best back. Quick Maurice Wells was a bit tentative as a true freshman, but he could be a superstar if he figures out what he's doing. The real excitement is over top recruit Chris Wells, who could do for this year's team what Maurice Clarett did in 2002. [FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1]The key to the unit: The two young Wells have to be reliable enough to get meaningful carries to keep Antonio Pittman fresh. More big runs would be nice.
Running Back Rating: 8.5[/SIZE][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][/SIZE][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][/SIZE][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1]This is absurd IMO. The disrespect for Pittman continues. I could see someone claiming that CWells may be better, but MoWells? Not in a million years.
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