How do you feel about next season, what's your prediction?
Obviously there are an immeasurable amount of variables to take into account when considering this, however, I've always found these things as fun and just that, so I'll take a stab at it. I'm going to go with the outlined, hypothetical scenario that we lose Pittman, Gonzo, and Ginn. Bare with me on the lenght!
Offense:
Biggest question is obviously, who starts at QB? Boeckman, Henton, or Schoenhoft? Personally, I'd prefer Boeckman or Henton, mostly Henton. However, given our light out-of-conference schedule next year with Youngstown State, Akron, and Washington I believe we could do a Zwick/Smith type situation with Boeckman/Henton and be ok and win considerably easily against all three teams. Akron played for the MAC East title game this year, but the MAC was pretty awful this year, Washington was a decent Pac-10 team, and Youngstown State is a Tressel-less D1AA team. I think we could start Bellisari for these 3 games and win by 20 in each one. Anyways, depending on the spring game and summer workouts, and fall practices if there is no clear cut leader at QB, I'd almost be in favor of the two-QB system until we went into Big-10 play next year. However, I also believe that after these past few years, Tressel has definitley learned from the Zwick/Smith situation and I think he will know exactly how to approach it this time. I wouldn't expect anymore Texas collapses like in '05.
Anyways, moving on from there, I don't see any reason why this team can't succeed and can't win a Big 10 title/play for something great. In my opinion, past the QB issue, the biggest hole to fill will be FB. Everyone talks about Gonzalez, Patterson, and Schlegel (last year), as being our most underrated players, however, I honestly believe it's been Stan White Jr. the whole time. This guy was easily one of the best blocking FB's we've had since Jamar Martin (which of course isn't a long time at all, but Jamar was one heck of a blocker!) Filling this spot will definitley be key as alot of our run formations rely heavily on our FB either being the lead blocker up the middle in the I-formation, or being an H-back to aide us in getting to the outside with alot more space for the RB's. Dionte is a favorite because of his senority, but Aram Olson is definitley a bruiser with alot of Stan's qualities in him. This battle will be a very interesting one to watch as it unfolds.
Other than those two key battles on the offense next year, I think we'll be absolutley fine. The offensive line will see returnees in Barton, Boone, and Rehring and I think it's a foregone conclusion that Cordle will be able to step into the center position rather easily. I'm excited to see him grow and become a monster center for us, and continue on our great, recent tradition. That leaves one open spot and with the rotation that we already use, we'll be able breathe somewhat easierly knowing that we'll have some experience returning and a heck of a lot of options to go to. Who will finally step up? Mitchum? Person? Skinner? Possibly someone younger, Browning? Kerr? Smith?
As for receivers, and runningbacks, I think we all know how loaded and talented we already are. With Robiskie and Hartline being our go-to guys and a bigger Ray Small we will definitley be a threat for a first down with every pass. Chris Wells should be the featured back and he probably has the brightest future out of everyone returning next year (offensively). Behind him, MoWells will hopefully be back to split some carries with him.
And finally, Nicol, who already has been a key ingredient to this year, will be even more polished next year looking to really begin to shine as a pure offensive weapon. Backing him up will be the talented youngster, Ballard, and the (RS) Miller, pending he doesn't move to the O-line.
Defense:
As already mentioned the biggest hole here will definitley be the shoes left by Pitcock and Patterson this year, who I might add have been absolute monsters for us throughout their awesome careers. Yet, I don't think we'll be bare by any means, as Denlinger looks to be our next great DT and has already seen some action this year. Along with him will be Abdallah, Garnier, and Larimore. This is also tentative on the fact that Rose could slide inside by next year to create more room for our absolutley loaded DE position, led by most likely, Wilson and Gholston, with Barrow, Worthington (again DT possibility), and Williams providing us excellent depth and rotation.
In my opinion, the linebacker position will once again be our leaders defensively. Laurinaitis, Freeman, and Terry will all be returning, and we'll have huge depth with Homan, Gibson, Grant, Moeller, and Spitler.
As for the D-back spots, we'll again be blessed with excellent depth and athleticism. Jenkins will be even more of a leader with most likely, Washington, Russell, and O'Neal rounding out the starters. But the youngsters will again be thirsty for major PT in Amos, Coleman, Patterson, Chekwa, and Schwartz.
The defense will be very sound and will help keep the pressure off of our offense early in the season, until it gels and prepares for Big 10 play.
Special Teams:
Not too bad here considering we return an excellent punter in Trapasso and a growing kicker in Pettrey with again great backups vying for their times to shine in Thoma and Pretorius. The issue will be replacing Ginn and Gonzalez as returners. I think we have enough skill, though, that will be able to provide us with excellent field position with every return. I think O'Neal will be our punt returner, but the kick returner spots will be wide open with a wide range of candidates, who all possess amazing speed and agility in their own rights; Small, MoWells, O'Neal, and Jenkins, among others.
Finally, I just want to conclude by saying, yes I did not include anyone from the class of 2007 that will be coming in as freshman next year, mostly because we still have empty spots in it and all are still unsigned, so even more variables could vastly change the outlook on next year. However, I'd like to devote this last paragraph to the ones I think will provide us with excellent depth and be able to come in and compete for a major role on our team next year.
The obvious selections: Saine, Clifford, and Martin (pending we can get him)
The unobvious selections: Herron at RB to help with depth if MoWells does/doesn't return. I think regardless he'll see carries next year, but to what extent is what I'm getting at, obviously without MoWells it's just him, Chris Wells, and possibly Saine.
Scott/Oliver/Evege/Wright (pending a committment) could see action as the nickel back, depending on their offseason preformances.
Torrence could see the field in numerous ways given his pure skill.
Washington would definitley have a chance to see some catches next year with the depletion of our WR stable.
Finally, and again depending on a committment, Davis could come in for some rotation looks on the O-line.
All in all, the future is without a doubt bright, and there are as I said before an unforeseeable amount of variables that could occur, like who stays/who goes, who committs and then who signs? Who shines in spring/summer/fall practices, who (God forbid) gets bitten by the dreaded injury bug? What the progressions of our opponents will be? All of these and more will definitley depict how things will play out next year, but again in pure fun these are my opinions on this extremely premature look at the 2007 season. Finally, if you all haven't quite reading yet, I'd just like to predict our schedule:
9/1/07 - Youngstown State W - Tressel may take it easy on his old team, but then again maybe not. The Penguins will be in for a long opening day of the season.
9/8/07 - Akron W - MAC East challenger this year and nothing else. The Zips will be pummeled in Columbus.
9/15/07 - @ Washington W - Looks like Willingham may have the Huskies on the right track, and hopefully UW will be more patient with him than ND was, but I wouldn't expect anything out of the ordinary from the Huskies. Will be a good early road test being so far away from home for our young guys, but an easy win none-the-less.
9/22/07 - Northwestern W - Again a true shame they lost such a great coach in Walker this past year, but the Wildcats will still need to put together some sort of an offense next year, and they're track record in Columbus ain't too good either. Easy win for the bucks.
9/29/07 - @ Minnesota W - Let's face it, the Metrodome is about the least intimidating and easiest place to play in the Big 10 and with the Gophers losing this years only offensive weapon in Cupito, they'll be in BIG trouble from the get-go.
10/6/07 - @ Purdue W - Will be much improved from the past few years as they maybe have found a QB in Painter, and playing in West Lafayette will help the Boilermakers, but they will definitley have trouble keeping up with our offense, we should be able to win this by 2 TD's minimum.
10/13/07 - Kent State W - The Golden Flashes? Nope. Not going to happen, they were also MAC contenders this year, but they're QB is like 5'9"... he'll have a very bad weekend before halloween as our defense will put continuous pressure on him all day. This will be a chance for our offensive weapons to pad some stats on the year.
10/20/07 - Michigan State W - Michigan State will be pretty much in shambles next year, in my opinion. A new coaching staff in football usually spells troubled to mediocre seasons, and losing leaders like Stanton and Herron really doesn't help any. Ringer better be ready to attempt to run for 200 against us if the Spartans have any chance in Columbus next year.
10/27/07 - @ Penn State L - Hate to predict it, but I don't want to seem completley biased. Happy Valley is in my opinion the toughest place to play in the Big 10 (outside of Columbus, of course), and Morelli, with all that he has to work on as a QB will be a year older and have more experienced and amazing talent around him. The defense will deplete a little, but still be very tough. I really hope history doesn't repeat itself here, but this is gonna be one heck of a test to overcome.
11/3/07 - Wisconsin W - With Stocco, Wisky only moderatley found a passing game, without him they'll be in deep trouble, their defense and running game will be good as usual, but our defense will be too tough for Hill. Not to mention the Columbus factor.
11/10/07 - Illinois W - Probably our 3rd toughest game behind Michigan/Penn State, I think Zook is really going to bring the Illini back to where they should be in the Big 10 standings and competing for Big 10 titles. This ones gonna be a nailbiter.
11/17/07 - @ Michigan W - Had to go with the homer pick, but obviously we'll be underdogs and very gelled/experienced by then. Having Tressel's calmness with us on the sidelines has already proved effective 5 out of 6 times, and again we'll be all grown up in late November, eyeing back-to-back outright Big 10 championships with implications of playing in, at least, a BCS bowl game, so we'll have plenty to play for. Should be yet another classic chapter in sports' greatest rivalry.
So, with my crystal ball, we'll be plenty good next year, eyeing an 11-1 season heading into BCS bowl game #6 under Tressel (probably the Fiesta...
), enjoying another win over scUM and our back-to-back, outright, Big 10 championships... not to mention some great individual awards for Laurinaitis and possibly Jenkins, and anyone else who really steps up! Should be fun to see how it all plays out, and of course many changes will be made to these predictions as the months go on, but heres to finishing out the 2006 season with a bang! Bringing home #8, kicking some Gator ass (payback style), and enjoying what this great team has once again accomplished against all odds!!
