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

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</td> <td class="siTopper"> Ohio State
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Troy Smith
John Biever/SI

</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tablesHolder"> <!-- **** STATS TABLE **** --> <table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="heading" style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(187, 187, 187);" width="46%">The Lowdown</td> <td class="redHeading" width="54%">2006 Schedule</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px;"> Coach: Jim Tressel (6th season, 50-13)
2005 record: 10-2 (Beat Notre Dame in Fiesta Bowl)
Big Ten finish: 7-1 (t-1st)
2005 I-A offensive rankings:
Rushing: 24th (196.7 ypg)
Passing: 52nd (225.7 ypg)
2005 I-A defensive rankings:
Rushing: 1st (73.4 ypg)
Passing: 43rd (207.9 ypg)
</td> <td> <table id="sked" bgcolor="#dddddd" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" width="34%">Date</td> <td class="skedR" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" width="66%">Opponent</td> </tr> <tr><td>Sept. 2</td><td class="skedR">Northern Illinois</td></tr><tr><td>Sept. 9</td><td class="skedR">at Texas</td></tr><tr><td>Sept. 16</td><td class="skedR">Cincinnati</td></tr><tr><td>Sept. 23</td><td class="skedR">Penn State</td></tr><tr><td>Sept. 30</td><td class="skedR">at Iowa</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 7</td><td class="skedR">Bowling Green</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 14</td><td class="skedR">at Michigan State</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 21</td><td class="skedR">Indiana</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 28</td><td class="skedR">Minnesota</td></tr><tr><td>Nov. 4</td><td class="skedR">at Illinois</td></tr><tr><td>Nov. 11</td><td class="skedR">at Northwestern</td></tr><tr><td>Nov. 18</td><td class="skedR">Michigan</td></tr> </tbody></table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="heading">Depth Chart: Offense</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="subHeading">7 returning starters in red</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="depthC depthHead">Ps.</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">No.</td> <td class="depth depthHead">Player</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">Yr.</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">No.</td> <td class="depth depthHead">Player</td> <td class="depthC depthHead depthLast">Yr.</td> </tr> <tr><td class="depthC">WR</td><td class="depthC">11</td><td class="depth">Anthony Gonzalez</td><td class="depthC">Jr.</td><td class="depthC">8</td><td class="depth">Roy Hall</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Sr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">WR</td><td class="depthC">7</td><td class="depth">Ted Ginn Jr.</td><td class="depthC">Jr.</td><td class="depthC">80</td><td class="depth">Brian Robiskie</td><td class="depthC depthLast">So.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">LT</td><td class="depthC">75</td><td class="depth">Alex Boone</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">68</td><td class="depth">Tim Schafer</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Sr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">LG</td><td class="depthC">71</td><td class="depth">Steve Rehring</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">79</td><td class="depth">Jon Skinner</td><td class="depthC depthLast">So.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">C</td><td class="depthC">50</td><td class="depth">Doug Datish</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">64</td><td class="depth">Jim Cordle</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Fr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">RG</td><td class="depthC">72</td><td class="depth">T.J. Downing</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">63</td><td class="depth">Ben Person</td><td class="depthC depthLast">So.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">RT</td><td class="depthC">74</td><td class="depth">Kirk Barton</td><td class="depthC">Jr.</td><td class="depthC">65</td><td class="depth">Doug Ebner</td><td class="depthC depthLast">So.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">TE</td><td class="depthC">88</td><td class="depth">Rory Nicol</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">81</td><td class="depth">Marcel Frost</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Jr.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">QB</td><td class="depthC">10</td><td class="depth">Troy Smith</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">12</td><td class="depth">Justin Zwick</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Sr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">FB</td><td class="depthC">89</td><td class="depth">Stan White Jr.</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">49</td><td class="depth">Dionte Johnson</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Jr.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">TB</td><td class="depthC">25</td><td class="depth">Antonio Pittman</td><td class="depthC">Jr.</td><td class="depthC">28</td><td class="depth">Chris Wells</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Fr.</td></tr> </tbody></table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="heading">Depth Chart: Defense</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="subHeading">2 returning starters in red</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="depthC depthHead">Ps.</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">No.</td> <td class="depth depthHead">Player</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">Yr.</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">No.</td> <td class="depth depthHead">Player</td> <td class="depthC depthHead depthLast">Yr.</td> </tr> <tr><td class="depthC">DE</td><td class="depthC">87</td><td class="depth">Lawrence Wilson</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">50</td><td class="depth">Vernon Gholston</td><td class="depthC depthLast">So.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">DT</td><td class="depthC">97</td><td class="depth">David Patterson</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">92</td><td class="depth">Todd Denlinger</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Fr.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">DT</td><td class="depthC">90</td><td class="depth">Quinn Pitcock</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">98</td><td class="depth">Joel Penton</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Sr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">DE</td><td class="depthC">99</td><td class="depth">Jay Richardson</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">78</td><td class="depth">Alex Barrow</td><td class="depthC depthLast">So.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">SLB</td><td class="depthC">33</td><td class="depth">James Laurinaitis</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">41</td><td class="depth">Larry Grant</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Fr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">MLB</td><td class="depthC">52</td><td class="depth">John Kerr</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">5</td><td class="depth">Mike D’Andrea</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Sr.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">WLB</td><td class="depthC">1</td><td class="depth">Marcus Freeman</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">38</td><td class="depth">Austin Spitler</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Fr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">CB</td><td class="depthC">2</td><td class="depth">Malcolm Jenkins</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">24</td><td class="depth">Mike Roberts</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Sr.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">CB</td><td class="depthC">14</td><td class="depth">Antonio Smith</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">20</td><td class="depth">Donald Washington</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Fr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">SS</td><td class="depthC">3</td><td class="depth">Jamario O’Neal</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">21</td><td class="depth">Anderson Russell</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Fr.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">FS</td><td class="depthC">35</td><td class="depth">Nick Patterson</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">32</td><td class="depth">Brandon Mitchell</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Sr.</td></tr> </tbody></table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="heading">Special Teams</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="depthC depthHead">Ps.</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">No.</td> <td class="depth depthHead">Player</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">Yr.</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">Ps.</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">No.</td> <td class="depth depthHead">Player</td> <td class="depthC depthHead depthLast">Yr.</td> </tr> <tr><td class="depthC">K</td><td class="depthC">85</td><td class="depth">Ryan Pretorius</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">P</td><td class="depthC">15</td><td class="depth">A.J. Trapasso</td><td class="depthC depthLast">So.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">KR</td><td class="depthC">7</td><td class="depth">Ted Ginn Jr.</td><td class="depthC">Jr.</td><td class="depthC">PR</td><td class="depthC">7</td><td class="depth">Ted Ginn Jr.</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Jr.</td></tr> </tbody></table></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <!-- **** /STATS TABLE **** --> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
At Ohio State, a place once known as "the graveyard of coaches," Jim Tressel has managed to find a cushy seat with 50 wins in five years and the 2002 national championship. However, Tressel could be taken out of his comfort zone in '06 even though the Buckeyes, once again, will be expected to contend for the title.
While a young defense develops and Tressel works to make his special teams an asset, he may have to unleash a high-octane offensive attack. If the Buckeyes can pick up where they left off last year -- 34 points and 617 yards of offense in a Fiesta Bowl drubbing of Notre Dame -- they should be up to the challenge.
Playmakers abound on offense even with the loss of receiver Santonio Holmes, and for the first time in his career quarterback Troy Smith will start the season entrenched as the Buckeyes' signal caller.
"I never thought that something like that would affect me," receiver Anthony Gonzalez says, "but to be perfectly honest, I can't express how nice it is to know that when you go out there you're going to have No. 10 out there. Having a guy who you've been with for years and you've kind of grown with, it really is nice for an offense. Everybody knows what to expect."
The Buckeyes enjoyed that kind of reliability on defense in recent years, but A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, Donte Whitner and Ashton Youboty are among the nine departed starters, leaving the staff charged with reloading on that side of the ball.
"We've got a semi-veteran front that's got to become very veteran, and we've got a young group of linebackers who have to learn every day, and we've got an extremely young group in the secondary where every day is going to be an adventure, but that's college football," Tressel says.
OFFENSE

For the first eight games of the '04 season, the Ohio State offense resembled a high school attack, rife with basic runs, safe passes, plenty of punts and barely more than 20 points per game. Then Ted Ginn Jr. added an electrifying presence with three touchdowns in a win at Michigan State. Two weeks later, it was Smith who tore up Michigan -- with Ginn adding a dazzling punt return touchdown for good measure.
The OSU offense has been lethal virtually ever since. The Buckeyes rolled up 33 points in an Alamo Bowl win to end the '04 season and averaged 32.7 points per game last fall. Plus, Smith no longer shares responsibilities with Justin Zwick. Now, Smith is the clear-cut leader of the Buckeyes, and Ginn is ready to be a more reliable receiver and better all-around player.
Holmes was terrific last season with nearly 1,000 yards receiving and 11 TDs before leaving for the NFL, but Gonzalez should help fill that void. The coaches are pleased with the depth at receiver after veteran Roy Hall and up-and-comers Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie all enjoyed impressive springs.
The running game should be exciting as well. Speedy junior Antonio Pittman is coming off a 1,331-yard season, and incoming freshman sensation Chris Wells adds a new dimension by slamming his 225-pound frame behind a mammoth offensive line.
How big are the Buckeyes up front? The projected starting front five weighs in at an average of 6-foot-7 and 314 pounds. Expect OSU to hit the ground running this season.
DEFENSE

It all starts up front for the Buckeyes, who, whether they stick to their 4-3 look or occasionally shift into a 3-4, should be stout at the point of attack. Quinn Pitcock is a pest inside, and he'll be flanked by the steady David Patterson, who shifts from end to tackle.
If the staff can discover the right combination in the linebacking corps, the middle of the defense won't drop off as much as most expect due to the loss of Hawk, Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel to the NFL. Marcus Freeman will assume Hawk's responsibilities playing on the weak side and leading the group, and juco transfer Larry Grant or veteran James Laurinaitis will handle the other side. The middle features two fifth-year veterans, John Kerr and Mike D'Andrea.
The secondary is a work in progress, but Malcolm Jenkins has shutdown ability at corner, and Jamario O'Neal could be a rising star at strong safety. One of the most pleasant surprises of the offseason has been the rapid development of redshirt freshman Anderson Russell, who figures to see lots of time as a nickel back.
SPECIALISTS

The Buckeyes have been spoiled over the past five years with Mike Nugent and Josh Huston handling the kicking duties. Now, they will turn to Ryan Pretorius, a 27-year-old native of South Africa. A.J. Trapasso has the leg to be an asset at punter, and the return game, featuring Ginn, will be dangerous.
FINAL ANALYSIS

The Buckeyes have a foundation for greatness with two legitimate Heisman Trophy candidates in former prep teammates Smith and Ginn. OSU also has a coach with a 50-13 record and one national title during five seasons in Columbus. Tressel proved that he could win with different styles while claiming four I-AA national championships at Youngstown State. He's challenged to do that again, as the Buckeyes likely will have to outscore foes, not simply shut them down, to win consistently.
 
Upvote 0
osugrad21 said:
CNN/SI

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</td> <td class="siTopper"> Ohio State
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Troy Smith
John Biever/SI

</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tablesHolder"> <!-- **** STATS TABLE **** --> <table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="heading" style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(187, 187, 187);" width="46%">The Lowdown</td> <td class="redHeading" width="54%">2006 Schedule</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(187, 187, 187); padding: 5px;"> Coach: Jim Tressel (6th season, 50-13)
2005 record: 10-2 (Beat Notre Dame in Fiesta Bowl)
Big Ten finish: 7-1 (t-1st)
2005 I-A offensive rankings:
Rushing: 24th (196.7 ypg)
Passing: 52nd (225.7 ypg)
2005 I-A defensive rankings:
Rushing: 1st (73.4 ypg)
Passing: 43rd (207.9 ypg)
</td> <td> <table id="sked" bgcolor="#dddddd" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" width="34%">Date</td> <td class="skedR" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" width="66%">Opponent</td> </tr> <tr><td>Sept. 2</td><td class="skedR">Northern Illinois</td></tr><tr><td>Sept. 9</td><td class="skedR">at Texas</td></tr><tr><td>Sept. 16</td><td class="skedR">Cincinnati</td></tr><tr><td>Sept. 23</td><td class="skedR">Penn State</td></tr><tr><td>Sept. 30</td><td class="skedR">at Iowa</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 7</td><td class="skedR">Bowling Green</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 14</td><td class="skedR">at Michigan State</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 21</td><td class="skedR">Indiana</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 28</td><td class="skedR">Minnesota</td></tr><tr><td>Nov. 4</td><td class="skedR">at Illinois</td></tr><tr><td>Nov. 11</td><td class="skedR">at Northwestern</td></tr><tr><td>Nov. 18</td><td class="skedR">Michigan</td></tr> </tbody></table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="heading">Depth Chart: Offense</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="subHeading">7 returning starters in red</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="depthC depthHead">Ps.</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">No.</td> <td class="depth depthHead">Player</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">Yr.</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">No.</td> <td class="depth depthHead">Player</td> <td class="depthC depthHead depthLast">Yr.</td> </tr> <tr><td class="depthC">WR</td><td class="depthC">11</td><td class="depth">Anthony Gonzalez</td><td class="depthC">Jr.</td><td class="depthC">8</td><td class="depth">Roy Hall</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Sr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">WR</td><td class="depthC">7</td><td class="depth">Ted Ginn Jr.</td><td class="depthC">Jr.</td><td class="depthC">80</td><td class="depth">Brian Robiskie</td><td class="depthC depthLast">So.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">LT</td><td class="depthC">75</td><td class="depth">Alex Boone</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">68</td><td class="depth">Tim Schafer</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Sr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">LG</td><td class="depthC">71</td><td class="depth">Steve Rehring</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">79</td><td class="depth">Jon Skinner</td><td class="depthC depthLast">So.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">C</td><td class="depthC">50</td><td class="depth">Doug Datish</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">64</td><td class="depth">Jim Cordle</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Fr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">RG</td><td class="depthC">72</td><td class="depth">T.J. Downing</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">63</td><td class="depth">Ben Person</td><td class="depthC depthLast">So.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">RT</td><td class="depthC">74</td><td class="depth">Kirk Barton</td><td class="depthC">Jr.</td><td class="depthC">65</td><td class="depth">Doug Ebner</td><td class="depthC depthLast">So.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">TE</td><td class="depthC">88</td><td class="depth">Rory Nicol</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">81</td><td class="depth">Marcel Frost</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Jr.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">QB</td><td class="depthC">10</td><td class="depth">Troy Smith</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">12</td><td class="depth">Justin Zwick</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Sr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">FB</td><td class="depthC">89</td><td class="depth">Stan White Jr.</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">49</td><td class="depth">Dionte Johnson</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Jr.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">TB</td><td class="depthC">25</td><td class="depth">Antonio Pittman</td><td class="depthC">Jr.</td><td class="depthC">28</td><td class="depth">Chris Wells</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Fr.</td></tr> </tbody></table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="heading">Depth Chart: Defense</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="subHeading">2 returning starters in red</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="depthC depthHead">Ps.</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">No.</td> <td class="depth depthHead">Player</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">Yr.</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">No.</td> <td class="depth depthHead">Player</td> <td class="depthC depthHead depthLast">Yr.</td> </tr> <tr><td class="depthC">DE</td><td class="depthC">87</td><td class="depth">Lawrence Wilson</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">50</td><td class="depth">Vernon Gholston</td><td class="depthC depthLast">So.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">DT</td><td class="depthC">97</td><td class="depth">David Patterson</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">92</td><td class="depth">Todd Denlinger</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Fr.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">DT</td><td class="depthC">90</td><td class="depth">Quinn Pitcock</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">98</td><td class="depth">Joel Penton</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Sr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">DE</td><td class="depthC">99</td><td class="depth">Jay Richardson</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">78</td><td class="depth">Alex Barrow</td><td class="depthC depthLast">So.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">SLB</td><td class="depthC">33</td><td class="depth">James Laurinaitis</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">41</td><td class="depth">Larry Grant</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Fr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">MLB</td><td class="depthC">52</td><td class="depth">John Kerr</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">5</td><td class="depth">Mike D’Andrea</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Sr.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">WLB</td><td class="depthC">1</td><td class="depth">Marcus Freeman</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">38</td><td class="depth">Austin Spitler</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Fr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">CB</td><td class="depthC">2</td><td class="depth">Malcolm Jenkins</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">24</td><td class="depth">Mike Roberts</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Sr.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">CB</td><td class="depthC">14</td><td class="depth">Antonio Smith</td><td class="depthC">Sr.</td><td class="depthC">20</td><td class="depth">Donald Washington</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Fr.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">SS</td><td class="depthC">3</td><td class="depth">Jamario O’Neal</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">21</td><td class="depth">Anderson Russell</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Fr.</td></tr><tr><td class="depthC">FS</td><td class="depthC">35</td><td class="depth">Nick Patterson</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">32</td><td class="depth">Brandon Mitchell</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Sr.</td></tr> </tbody></table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="heading">Special Teams</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="depthC depthHead">Ps.</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">No.</td> <td class="depth depthHead">Player</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">Yr.</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">Ps.</td> <td class="depthC depthHead">No.</td> <td class="depth depthHead">Player</td> <td class="depthC depthHead depthLast">Yr.</td> </tr> <tr><td class="depthC">K</td><td class="depthC">85</td><td class="depth">Ryan Pretorius</td><td class="depthC">So.</td><td class="depthC">P</td><td class="depthC">15</td><td class="depth">A.J. Trapasso</td><td class="depthC depthLast">So.</td></tr><tr class="depthGBg"><td class="depthC">KR</td><td class="depthC">7</td><td class="depth">Ted Ginn Jr.</td><td class="depthC">Jr.</td><td class="depthC">PR</td><td class="depthC">7</td><td class="depth">Ted Ginn Jr.</td><td class="depthC depthLast">Jr.</td></tr> </tbody></table></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <!-- **** /STATS TABLE **** --> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> .....
At Ohio State, a place once known as "the graveyard of coaches," Jim Tressel has managed to find a cushy seat with 50 wins in five years and the 2002 national championship......
Click to expand...

When was OSU the graveyard of coaches. Earl Bruce was here a while, so was Cooper.
 
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The KSB said:
When was OSU the graveyard of coaches. Earl Bruce was here a while, so was Cooper.
Click to expand...
Before Woody Hayes arrived in 1951, OSU had had five different coaches in eleven years.

When Francis A Schmidt left in 1940, OSU went through Paul Brown ('41-'43), Carroll Widdoes ('44-'45), Paul Bixler ('46), and Wes Fesler ('47-'50).
 
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had to post this somewhere, this seemed as good a place as any... first is The Game 2005, second is The Game 2001.
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When does the team report for fall camp?

This is my first post (been reading this forum for around 2 yrs), however I can not find the thread devoted to fall practice. I only ask b/c the season officially begins (for me) when the fellas report for the fall. If the answer can be found in one of the many BP threads I apologize. I, like everyone else, am anxiously awaiting for some news about the men.
 
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FB Fan 05 said:
This is my first post (been reading this forum for around 2 yrs), however I can not find the thread devoted to fall practice. I only ask b/c the season officially begins (for me) when the fellas report for the fall. If the answer can be found in one of the many BP threads I apologize. I, like everyone else, am anxiously awaiting for some news about the men.
Click to expand...

I want to say August 3rd.
 
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Link


<!-- EDITORIAL: end div_folio --><!-- EDITORIAL: begin top centered image --><!-- EDITORIAL: end top centered image --> <!-- EDITORIAL: begin headline area - kicker, head, deck --> MICHIGAN VS. MICHIGAN STATE
WHO WILL WIN THE BIG TEN?
MSU's chances hinge on Stanton; healthy Hart is key for Michigan
John Niyo / The Detroit News
<!-- EDITORIAL: end rest of pix and print, comment, email, subscribe links -->
Why U-M will
1. Healthy Hart
Put a veteran quarterback behind a veteran offensive line and you've got a recipe for success in college football. You've also got what new coordinator Mike DeBord has as he tries to tweak a Michigan offense that ran in fits and starts last season, and not particularly well at all when trying to protect a lead in the fourth quarter. Chad Henne looks fit and trim and ready to rebound from a subpar 2005, but more importantly, so does tailback Michael Hart , whose injuries last season were a big reason why the Wolverines ranked ninth in the Big Ten in rushing.
2. English lessons
Senior end LaMarr Woodley highlights a leaner, meaner Michigan defense. Or at least that's what Ron English , who replaces Jim Herrmann as coordinator, is promising this fall: an athletic, attacking unit that starts with the linemen creating havoc up front. Despite the loss of three starters from '05, coach Lloyd Carr says this could be the best front four he's ever had, anchored by underrated holdover Alan Branch and talented sophomore Terrance Taylor inside.
3. Hungry like the Wolves
A five-loss season doesn't sit well with the fans. It doesn't sit well with the U-M coaches and players, either. Michigan enters the 2006 campaign with plenty to prove. That should help Sept. 16 at Notre Dame as Michigan tries to snap a six-game losing streak in road openers. And it should help Nov. 18 in Columbus, where the Wolverines will try to avoid a third straight loss to Ohio State, something that hasn't happened since the early 1960s. Mostly, though, it'll help in practice early this fall as the coaches try to forge a new team identity.
Why U-M won't
1. Scary schedule
The Big Ten's unbalanced schedule doesn't do the Wolverines any favors this season. They'll miss out on Illinois and Purdue, not any of the heavyweights. The first two league road games are night games, including an Oct. 14 date at Penn State that's sandwiched between tough home games against Michigan State and Iowa. And to cap it all off -- with a 12-game schedule now there's no bye week, either -- Lloyd Carr 's crew finishes the season in Columbus.
2. Who's No. 2?
If junior quarterback Chad Henne goes down for any length of time due to injury, the Wolverines could be in trouble, though it's probably worth noting that's how Henne got the job in the first place two years ago. Last year's backup, Matt Gutierrez , transferred to Idaho State to finish his career as a starter. Antonio Bass , the all-purpose sophomore, then was lost for the season to a knee injury. That leaves redshirt freshman Jason Forcier and true freshman David Cone to compete for the No. 2 job.
3. Missing mystique
Last fall, the Wolverines lost three home games in a season for the first since 1994. Throw in the struggles against two of their biggest rivals -- 2-7 in their last nine vs. Notre Dame and Ohio State -- and a 1-4 bowl record the last five years and there's reason to wonder just how much Michigan is feared anymore. Consider, too, that Michigan didn't have a single player selected on the first day of this year's NFL draft. So either the cupboard's full this fall, or the talent level isn't quite what it used to be.
Why MSU will
1. Drawing on Drew
In senior Drew Stanton , the Spartans have arguably the league's most dynamic quarterback. And with Stanton on the field, coach John L. Smith knows his team is in good hands. Last season, Stanton threw for 3,077 yards and 22 touchdowns, while completing two-thirds of his pass attempts. He also ran for 338 yards and four more TDs. If he can approach those kinds of numbers again this fall, the Spartans' offense will be rolling.
2. All systems go
There's no shortage of talent at the skill positions surrounding Stanton, so there's no reason to expect much of a drop-off from 2005, when MSU ranked fifth nationally in total offense. It'll be another 1-2 punch in the backfield with Javon Ringer 's speed -- and A.J. Jimmerson 's, too -- complemented by Jehuu Caulcrick 's strength. The receiving corps starts with senior Jerramy Scott and is bolstered by the return of two-sport star Matt Trannon . Terry Love and Kerry Reed also return, but keep an eye on transfer Devin Thomas and freshman T.J. Williams .
3. Depth charge
What does it take to win the Big Ten? Depth, more than anything. And that's one area where John L. Smith -- beginning his fourth season in East Lansing -- finally can rest a little easier, knowing that his second-stringers can compete. That depth, which was evident in spring practice and gets a boost from several junior-college transfers, also means competition in camp for starting positions, which certainly helps raise the team's level of play overall.
Why MSU won't
1. Rocked over in October
The Spartans never recovered after losing back-to-back heartbreakers to Michigan and Ohio State and Michigan early in Big Ten play last season. MSU, which hasn't won a share of the Big Ten title since 1990, went on to lose four of its last five, including a 49-14 embarrassment at home against Northwestern. This year, it's the same two to start October -- at Michigan, then home to face the Buckeyes. And unless the Spartans buck a recent trend -- that's a 4-16 record in November since 2000, by the way -- they're headed for another fall.
2. Special teams
Special-teams miscues have been a bugaboo for the Spartans for years. But MSU turned missing field goals into an art form last season, converting on just five of 16 attempts, with two crucial misses coming in the 34-31 overtime loss to Michigan. Last year's starting place-kicker, John Goss , opted not to return for another season, so it'll be sophomore Todd Boleski trying to hold off incoming freshman Brett Swenson for the No. 1 job in the fall. After that, all that's left is for fans to cross their fingers and hope.
3. Turnover in the trenches
Controlling the line of scrimmage is easier said than done in the Big Ten, and particularly when there's not much chemistry. MSU returns just three starters combined on the offensive and defensive lines, so it'll be critical to find the right mix in a hurry. Filling the holes on the right side is priority No. 1 for the offense, while the defense -- and this is where the junior-college transfers might help -- needs to surround senior end Clifton Ryan with some athletes who can get in the backfield
 
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<!-- EDITORIAL: end div_folio --><!-- EDITORIAL: begin top centered image --><!-- EDITORIAL: end top centered image --><!-- EDITORIAL: begin headline area - kicker, head, deck -->Consider, too, that Michigan didn't have a single player selected on the first day of this year's NFL draft. So either the cupboard's full this fall, or the talent level isn't quite what it used to be.
Click to expand...
Stevie Wonder & Ray Charles, could see that!
 
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link http://ohiostatebuckeyes.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072006aaa.html

2006 Ohio State Football Season Outlook



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Quarterback and All-America candidate, Troy Smith, will lead the Buckeye offense.

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Hawk Nominated for an ESPY! Vote Now! Lichter Named to Head Ohio State Football Strength and Conditioning Program [/SIZE][/FONT]
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July 20, 2006
In his five years at Ohio State, Jim Tressel has led the Buckeyes to 50 wins, two Big Ten titles and a national championship. During the past four years, Tressel's teams have won four bowl games, including three BCS contests, and finished in the top five three times. Last year, the Buckeyes closed out a 10-2 season with seven consecutive wins, including back-to-back victories over arch-rival Michigan and Fiesta Bowl-foe Notre Dame.
With that kind of track record, expectations will again be high in 2006. No matter that the Buckeyes must replace nine starters from one of the best defenses in college football, not to mention finding replacements for their leading receiver, top two linemen and field-goal kicker.
A look at the depth chart shows eight starters back on offense, including the undeniably talented foursome of quarterback Troy Smith, flanker Ted Ginn Jr., split end Anthony Gonzalez and tailback Antonio Pittman. Much of the excitement about the coming season revolves around that quartet. They were the major cogs last year in an offense that averaged 32.7 points and 422.3 yards per game.
In the last half of the season with Smith firing on all cylinders and Ginn, Gonzalez and Pittman all hitting their stride behind an athletic and under-appreciated offensive line, the Buckeyes were as good as any team in the country offensively.
If there is reason for concern in 2006, it would be on defense where the likes of linebackers A. J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel, defensive end Mike Kudla and all four members of the secondary must be replaced. <!-- STORY AD BEGINS HERE -->
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<!-- STORY AD ENDS HERE -->With the All-American Hawk preying on opposing offenses, the Buckeyes led the nation against the run and were fifth in both total defense and scoring defense. Hawk and his teammates were something special and leave a cavernous void to fill.
But the Buckeyes do have 20 lettermen returning on the defensive side of the ball, and judging by spring practice there is no lack of talent, speed or enthusiasm. Tackles Quinn Pitcock and David Patterson, the lone two returning starters, will be stabilizing factors, especially early in the campaign.
The punting game, always a staple for the 52-year-old Tressel, seems set with the return of third-year sophomore A. J. Trapasso. A replacement for place-kicker Josh Huston needs to be found, but the Buckeye coach has a way of pulling a rabbit out of his hat each fall.
With a seven-game winning streak intact heading into the season, most experts have the Buckeyes ranked in their top five, more than a few have Ohio State at No. 1. One thing for sure, OSU will get tested early with a road game at Texas in week two and back-to-back Big Ten games against Penn State and at Iowa two weeks later.
Ohio State's list of All-America candidates includes Smith at quarterback and Ginn at flanker. Both are also considered early front runners for the Heisman Trophy. Pittman will be an All-America candidate as will Kirk Barton at tackle and Doug Datish at center. The rough-and-tumble Pitcock is yet another possibility.
There is excitement, too, about the incoming freshman class, especially running back Chris Wells, generally considered the No. 1 catch in the nation last year, and linebacker Ross Homan. Both enrolled early and took part in spring practice. Cornerback Kurt Coleman also came in early and turned heads with his performance.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Troy Smith is coming off a sensational year in which he rolled up 2,893 yards in total offense and accounted for 27 touchdowns (16 passing and 11 rushing). The 6-1 senior, who also led the Big Ten in passing efficiency, is 13-2 as a starter heading into his final year. Mentally tough, he is blessed with a strong arm and is an extremely dangerous runner. No one is better at keeping a play alive, especially when the chips are down.
Senior Justin Zwick, a veteran of 17 games including nine starts, also returns as do sophomore Todd Boeckman and redshirt freshman Robbie Schoenhoft. Boeckman is in his third year in the program and knows the offense inside-out. Schoenhoft is raw, but talented. The Buckeyes are four deep here.
Tailback
Antonio Pittman had a superb sophomore season, finishing the 2005 campaign with 1.331 yards and seven touchdowns on 243 carries, an average of 5.5 yards per carry. The 5-11, 195-pounder picks up tough yards inside and delivers a blow in the process. He has the ability to make defenders miss, rarely goes down on the first hit and has the speed to take it to the house.
Sophomore Maurice Wells, Ohio State's third leading rusher last year with 199 yards, enhanced his status with a strong spring showing. So did frosh Chris Wells, who is no relation, and at 6-1 and 225 gives the Buckeyes a bruising runner in the Keith Byars-Eddie George mold.
You can never have too many good tailbacks in the Big Ten. Ohio State has three good ones.
Fullback
Senior [URL="http://ohiostatebuckeyes.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/white_stan00.html"]Stan White Jr.[/URL] returns for his second year as the starter at what is really a combination of fullback and H-back. He is a smart football player who understands his role as blocker in OSU's offensive scheme. Although rarely called upon, the former tight end is a sure-handed receiver.
Dionte Johnson gives the Buckeyes a solid one-two punch at fullback. The 6-0, 234-pound junior is in the best shape of his career (down 15 pounds from a year ago) and figures to help both as a blocker and a short-yardage runner. He is one of those bulldozer-type runners that moves the pile and gets the crowd on its feet.
Wide Receivers
This is certainly another area of strength.
In Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez, the Buckeyes boast two of the fastest and most sure-handed receivers in college football. They give OSU a lethal one-two punch.
The electrifying Ginn is coming off his best year as a receiver, finishing the 2005 season with 51 catches for 803 yards and four touchdowns - the shortest of which covered 42 yards. He had 17 receptions in his last two games and was virtually unstoppable. In the win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, he scored on a 56-yard reception and a 68-yard reverse. No one touched him on either play. Trying to tackle him is a little bit like trying to capture lightning in a bottle.
Gonzalez totaled 28 receptions, tallied three touchdowns and averaged 13.3 yards per catch in 2005 as the third option. Look for those numbers to go up in 2006 as he assumes a more dominant role in the OSU offense. He is the perfect complement to Ginn and has the versatility to move inside to the slot when the Buckeyes employ three wide receivers.
Senior Roy Hall hopes to take over as the third receiver. He has been a key reserve the past three years and is coming off his best spring, especially in terms of consistency. He gives the Buckeyes a physical presence on the edge.
Brian Robiskie, who saw enough time last year as a true freshman to earn his first varsity letter, and redshirt freshman Brian Hartline were impressive in the spring.
Walter Dukes, Devin Jordan and Devon Lyons round out a solid group of receivers.
Offensive Line
Big, strong, athletic, explosive and experienced are all adjectives that can be used to describe this year's front five.
Kirk Barton, Doug Datish and T.J. Downing were regulars last year and will be three of the best in the Big Ten. Alex Boone, Steve Rehring, Tim Schafer, Jim Cordle, Ben Person, Kyle Mitchum, Tyler Whaley and Jon Skinner make this one of the deeper lines in recent memory.
Barton is a force at right tackle. He is coming off a great sophomore season and is a big-time player. Boone, who saw time last year as a true freshman is expected to move in at left tackle on a full-time basis. He is one of the Buckeyes' up-and-coming stars.
Datish, who started at left guard in 2004 and left tackle last year, will take over at center for Nick Mangold. Big shoes to fill, but the coaching staff believes he is equal to the challenge.
Downing, meanwhile, returns for his second season as a starter at right guard and is a tough, hard-nosed, football player who loves playing inside. The left guard spot is expected to be filled by Schafer, who has bounced back-and-forth between offense and defense during his career, but now appears set at the former. Schafter, like Downing and Datish a fifth-year senior, is coming off a very solid performance this past spring.
Rehring can play tackle or guard and will see extensive playing time. The staff is high, too, on Skinner, a third-year sophomore who lettered last year for the first time.
Tight End
Injuries here really hurt last year, first Rory Nicol going down in fall camp with a foot injury that caused him to miss the season, then Ryan Hamby missing the last half of the regular season with a knee sprain.
Nicol, who lettered two years ago as a true freshman, is back and gives the Buckeyes a physical presence in addition to a sure-handed receiver. So does talented junior Marcel Frost who took over for Hamby and proved to be a dangerous weapon in the OSU arsenal. Expect to see more of him in the fall if he continues to develop at the pace he showed last season. Both will play a lot.
Brandon Smith, a converted linebacker and fine blocker also returns, and incoming freshmen Jake Ballard and Andy Miller will get a long look.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Quinn Pitcock and David Patterson give the Buckeyes two crafty veterans inside. Both are big, tough, smart and physical. They combined for 52 tackles last year, including 10.5 tackles-for-loss and 5.0 sacks. Pitcock, unquestionably the strongest player on the team, will be in his third year as a starter and is a dominating player. Patterson, who started at end last year but usually moved inside after the first series, is blessed with exceptional quickness.
The Buckeyes will miss graduated strongman Mike Kudla at the rush end, but in 6-6, 270-pound sophomore Lawrence Wilson they have a diamond-in-the-rough, who is already being compared to former OSU All-All-American Will Smith. In addition to his size, Wilson has outstanding speed and great instincts.
Jay Richardson will take over at the other end spot. The rangy (6-6, 276) senior has been a key reserve and sometimes starter throughout his career and has appeared in 26 games. Injuries have limited his playing time in the past. Hopefully, that is a thing of the past.
Depth will come from Vern Gholston and Alex Barrow at ends and Joel Penton and Todd Denlinger on the inside. All had solid springs, particularly Gholston and Denlinger.
Doug Worthington and Ryan Williams, both true freshmen last year, missed spring ball for medical reasons, but hope to be back in the fall. Sophomore Nader Abdallah also returns.
The front four will be the strength of this year's defense and Pitcock and Patterson will be the anchors.
Linebacker
The void left by the departures of All-American A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel, possibly the best trio of linebackers in school history, is huge. But the cupboard, although green, is well stocked.
Marcus Freeman played as a freshman in 2004 and would have been a major contributor last year had not a knee injury in the first game caused him to miss the remainder of the season. Freeman, who is blessed with outstanding speed, is expected to take over for Hawk at theWill linebacker position.
John Kerr will move in at the Mike spot for Schlegel. Kerr started as a freshman at Indiana before transferring to Ohio State. He has played behind Hawk the past two years and is a savvy football player. Mike D'Andrea also returns in the middle. One of the top linebackers in the nation coming out of high school, he has missed much of the past two seasons with injuries. If he can stay healthy, he can be a difference maker.
Sophomore James Laurinaitis is expected to be the starter at Sam linebacker. He stepped in at Michigan last year when Carpenter broke his ankle and then started the bowl game against Notre Dame. He played well in both games and continued to shine in the spring.
Freshman Ross Homan, who enrolled winter quarter, is coming off an impressive spring and will add quality depth, probably on Freeman's side.
The coaches expect good things too from junior Curtis Terry, junior college transfer Larry Grant, junior Chad Hoobler and redshirt freshman Austin Spitler. Terry could play on the edge, ala Carpenter last year in certain situations, and Grant brings a certain swagger with him that will aid this young group.
Look for linebacker by committee this year.
Dependable Nate Salley and Tyler Everett have graduated and Austin Youboty and Donte Whitner have opted to pursue their dreams of playing in the NFL, so the coaching staff has four holes to fill.
Coming out of spring practice Malcom Jenkins and Antonio Smith appear to be the likely starters at cornerback. Jenkins started four games at the boundary last year as a true freshman filling in for the injured Everett. A physical player with excellent cover skills, he has added 15 pounds since last year. Smith is a former walk-on who was converted to scholarship last spring. Athletic and smart, he makes few mistakes and has good quickness.
Andre Amos and Donald Washington are the backup corners. Both were impressive last fall but were ultimately redshirted. True freshman Kurt Coleman, a spring quarter enrollee, will be in the picture, too, after a solid showing in the spring. In his short time on the OSU campus, Coleman has demonstrated the ability to make plays and is surprisingly knowledgeable for his age.
The safety spots will be held down by Jamario O'Neal and Nick Patterson with help from Anderson Russell and Brandon Mitchell.
The athletic O'Neal will play the strong safety spot. He lettered last year as a true freshman, but almost all of his playing time came with the special teams. Patterson is a 6-2, 210-pound sophomore, who was redshirted in 2004 and played with the special teams last year. Russell is another redshirt freshman, who has shown a tremendous upside. All three are athletic, have a nose for the ball and can close. Mitchell, a fifth-year senior, is the veteran of the group. He has 33 games and eight starts under his belt and will be a stabilizing force in an otherwise youthful secondary.
The will be the first time since 2000, and just the second time since 1984, that the Buckeyes have had to replace the entire secondary.
Kicking Game
Sophomore A.J. Trapasso returns at punter. He averaged 40.4 yards per kick last year and downed 19 of his 43 kicks inside the 20. OSU was second in the Big Ten in net punting, narrowly missing out on that title for the first time in four years. With his booming leg, Trapasso has the potential to be a Ray Guy Award candidate. John Thoma is a capable backup.
Ryan Pretorius and Aaron Pettrey are the leading candidates to replace Josh Huston in the place-kicking department. The South African-born Pretorius was the backup last year, but his only game experience is one kickoff. Pettrey was a true freshman last year and did not see any game action. This should be one of the more interesting battles during fall camp. Pettrey helped his cause in the spring with a 59-yard field goal in the kicking scrimmage.
In the long snapping area, Drew Norman does return. He turned in a solid showing last year in his first year as a regular.
Return Game
Whether it is on punts or kickoffs, Ted Ginn is one of the most exciting return specialists in the country. He had touchdowns both ways last year and is already the school and Big Ten career leader in punt returns for touchdowns with five.
Anthony Gonzalez will line up as the other punt returner and also will return kickoffs. Malcolm Jenkins is another possibility on punts and Maurice Wells is the third kick returner. Drew Norman will handle the long-snapping duties. Dimitrios Makridis is a capable backup.
 
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