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2008 Buckeye Football Season

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Horse Puckey. We'll gain yardage in big chunks. With the veteran line, and the stud stable of 2's, 2008 will be great, and 09 and 10 as well, especially if Pryor signs up, or even without him.

As far as the defense stacks up, I humbly submit that it really won't matter if we go with a 3-4 or a 4-3. In either case, a DE or an DE/LB will be there with their hand on the ground. I'm sure I'll take flack for the nuance gaffes, but hey.....whether Thaddeus Gibson rushes from a hands-down stance or hand-on-knees stance makes little difference. There's still going to be a big ol' tackle waiting, or maybe even a tight end. Either/or, the designated rusher will have to get around them. We've got plenty of talent at LB, and now, with this recruiting season, plenty of talent on the DL. OSU will always have talent at DB, maybe green, but still talented.

The future looks bright for OSU, and with a 25 (?) member recruiting class looking for in 2009, Tress & Co could be looking to cherry pick the needs for the next several years (couple more OL, top-flight QB, top-flight RB), plus whatever they feel shores up weakness.

The team is balanced (from my perspective), and maybe the classes need to be a bit more balanced, but other than that, the Buckeyes appear to be well positioned to remain one of the 'elite' teams over the next 4-5 years. Granted, I would have liked to have Norm Chow as OC, but the stability of the coaching ranks appears solid also. The best part of the 2008 recruiting class are the juniors that decided to return. Expectations are always high in Columbus (and among the Buckeye nation, scattered though we are), but if (when!) we get by USC in September, we should ride through to the BCS game, and take on our third SEC team (Georgia?) for the championship (unless Oklahoma makes noise), and this third time will be the charm. Go Bucks!

:gobucks3::gobucks4::banger:
 
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Kick Returns/Punt Returns

Mo Wells, Small, and Hartline did a good job of holding down the fort on kickoff and punt returns this year, most importantly by not turning the ball over. But I couldn't help but notice there wasn't that "big play" electricity on every kickoff like in years past (of course there wouldn't be, Ginn is an impossible act to follow).

With the speed we have coming in this year, what are some of the possibilities you see at kick/punt returns? After seeing Flash in the AA game, you'd have to think he is going to get his fair share of touches with that type of burst. A rotation of Thomas, Small, Saine, and maybe even Posey could be pretty exciting.

Mods: I scrolled through this thread and didn't see this mentioned. If there is a better place for it, please move it along.
 
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Personnel-wise, I couldn't be more confident going into next year about who replaces who, and what the new assignments are going to be. In fact, it will make this off-season very, very boring. I mean, there will be almost no speculation on either side of the ball. The team will unequivocally be better than last year, and not "better" because we have two or three key players returning and that might be good enough to carry the team (a la 2007 Michigan speculation before the season started).

The speculation rests in the mentality of this team. We have a core of senior leaders that have never lost to Michigan, and a junior class that's never been to another bowl game besides national championships. After all they've accomplished, how will these guys respond to the doubt and criticism coming from the media, and yes, even some fans? How will Tressel and Co. manage the weight of success, and the agony of excellence being just out of reach?
 
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I agree (like many have said already) that if the Buckeyes go into USC and bring home a victory, the table could be ran and another title shot could be in our future. It would all lay upon the coaching staff to keep everyone from getting complacent (like 2006 after beating Texas on the road) along the way for a disasterous ending. This maybe where the seniors would fit in with their experience to keep everyone level. But I tell you what, if the Buckeyes come up short at USC, the next home opener in 2009 with USC will be revenge game. I also think (depending how the year fairs for both teams) that this may also be a early season "Top Ten" match-up in 2009. But alot of Football yet to be played and determined.
I like the way this team looks for this year and my only hope is that the last two NC games will not alter the path (politically speaking) on a close call in the end if it comes down to who will play in the big game. :osu:
 
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Here are my early score predictions for the season.

Youngstown State- W 42, 3
Ohio- W 38, 7
USC- W 27, 14
Troy- W 31, 6
Minnesota- W 41, 0
Wisconsin- W 34-13
Purdue- W 41, 7
Michigan State W 24, 20
Penn State- W 35, 10
Northwestern- W 58, 13
Illinois- W 20, 10
Michigan- W 37, 7
 
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RhodeIslandBuck;1112728; said:
Here are my early score predictions for the season.

Youngstown State- W 42, 3
Ohio- W 38, 7
USC- W 27, 14
Troy- W 31, 6
Minnesota- W 41, 0
Wisconsin- W 34-13
Purdue- W 41, 7
Michigan State W 24, 20
Penn State- W 35, 10
Northwestern- W 58, 13
Illinois- W 20, 10
Michigan- W 37, 7
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Would be awesome if it was true but 4 and 10 pts as the 1st, 2nd closest margins is a little homeristic. Especially considering neither of those teams are the best teams we play,IMO. Illinois loses Mendenhall and is probably going to par or back from last year. If Wisc gets a QB they'll be better and USC is USC.

Again we can only hope...:osu:
 
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I like the Buck's chances against USC in 2008 vs 2009. They seem to play big games better on the road. Plus Beenie is gone in 2009.


If they servive USC in 2008 the games that worry me are Troy (they may not lose but it will be very close) and Mich.
 
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Bluegras Buck-i;1116746; said:
I like the Buck's chances against USC in 2008 vs 2009. They seem to play big games better on the road. Plus Beenie is gone in 2009.


If they servive USC in 2008 the games that worry me are Troy (they may not lose but it will be very close) and Mich.
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Beanie.

Troy doesn't really worry me all that much, especially since I recall they lost their QB. Wisconsin, Penn State, Illnois, and Michigan worry me.
 
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Bluegras Buck-i;1116746; said:
I like the Buck's chances against USC in 2008 vs 2009. They seem to play big games better on the road. Plus Beenie is gone in 2009.


If they servive USC in 2008 the games that worry me are Troy (they may not lose but it will be very close) and Mich.
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Troy shouldint be much of a problem, they lost their QB and 2 time Sun Belt offensive player of the year Omar Haugabook, and their top WR Gary Banks.

they also lost their offensive cordinator Tony Franklin to Auburn.

and on defense lost 3 of their 4 starting defensive linemen and both of their starting corners (NFL prospect Leodis McKelvin and 1st team all conference corner Elbert Mack) and both of their starting outside linebackers.
 
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OregonBuckeye;1116882; said:
Is it? Last year our only game decided by single digits was Illinois and that was 7 points. We haven't played in a whole lot of nail-biters the last 2 years.
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good point but as we know,ESPiN told us many times, our schedule has been weak recently too. I think this years schedule has much tougher competition.Wiscy is improving hell basically all the BT is improving somewhat(minus scUM) throw in USC, a Troy team that always seems to bite a team or two in a season. I just don't think this year will be too filled with blowouts.
 
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While some tight games may make us more battle tested for what happens in the BCS late in the season, I for one hope the season works out that many of our young players(linebackers, offensive linemen, corners) get alot of from scrimmage playing time to gain some experience. The roster is solid, but developing some experience will go along way in 2009 to cement that we once again reload, rather that take a small step back.
 
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