Are the Buckeyes more geared for a Ntl. Championship in 2010 or 2011

[TDG]

It's really hard to say, I think it will depend on how things go defensively (re: departures and how well the new players fill the holes.) We're certainly in good shape for a run either year if our offensive core of sophomores (Pryor, Herron, Saine, Posey) stays intact and keeps improving.

Depends, does Terelle Pryor stay for his senior year?

:osu:

As opposed to what?

 

[JXC]

I think we lose too much on defense to feel comfortable about winning all our games next year. I don't feel comfortable with the D-Line situation above all. Losing worthington and denlinger is pretty big. Our DT play is the difference in the defense this year than the past few years. It just makes the whole rest of the defense look better. If Gibson and Heyward leave, we will be losing too much experience on the line for me to be comfortable. There may be issues in the secondary, too. I just feel like, except for LB, that we would be A LOT thinner on defense next year, and really any injury may hurt the defense. Offensively I think we will be fine. I don't know if they are going to put up big numbers next year, but I feel like they will be the most polished gelled units in the country. A lot of this revolves around the O-line and Pryor, but both should be even more improved next year, as long as everyone stays healthy.

To me it just seems like nobody else is as concerned with the DL play, especially in the middle, as I am. Maybe everyone is seeing something different than I am. And as usual, we will no more come February.

 

[UpNorthBuckeye]

2010 vs 2011

someone finally mentioned Denlinger. I thought he did great after Larimore got hurt, stepped it up big time. He must have gone from 25-30 plays a game to 50. Like to see the stats. He was solid, like a big Quin Pitcock.

The cool thing about playing Miami? That's the kind of game that might help convince Heyward and Gibson to come back next year. If our offense is better (because of more experience) the D line coming back is huge.

If we were playing Youngstown State, Mississippi Normal State College and Eastern Illinois, and then jumping into Indiana and Minnesota, I wonder if Heyward and Gibson might just say, "been there, done that" and leave for the NFL.

I also don't think either one is a lock as a first or second rounder. It changes at the combines.

But anyway, for those of you who think our coaching is what holds us back, the "evolution" that Jim Tressel talked about in his post Fiesta Bowl comments (after beating Notre Dame) included the evolution with the coaches. The confidence, trust, reward cycle will make our offense so much better next year.

2011?? We'll be too cocky then (see NC game 2007).

But 2010 looks solid.

 

[jwinslow]

If we were playing Youngstown State, Mississippi Normal State College and Eastern Illinois, and then jumping into Indiana and Minnesota, I wonder if Heyward and Gibson might just say, "been there, done that" and leave for the NFL.

Heyward is a lock for at least round 2, but he's also not thinking about it.

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

Heyward is a lock for at least round 2, but he's also not thinking about it.

Music to my ears.

 

[cincibuck]

My general sense of the fundamental issues of 2010:

Offense

• JT is actually going to be able to start playing real Tresselball again soon if the OL continues to develop and with what the stable of backs looks to be next year.

• 
  
  Kicker/punter? That's a huge part of Tressel ball and the fact that he stayed with Thoma and didn't take chances with Barclay says much about that part of the game. Thoma is gone, but what's left.

 

[PlanetFrnd]

Brewster said he came to tOSU to win multiple championships...

You can tell him that he has to choose just one of the next two years. No way I'm delivering that message.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Kicker/punter? That's a huge part of Tressel ball and the fact that he stayed with Thoma and didn't take chances with Barclay says much about that part of the game. Thoma is gone, but what's left.

I'm just going to trust the coaches on this one.

JT just had the first bad year of overall kicking I can recall. I trust it will be fixed. Who, what or how I don't know.

I do know when I look at the overall combination of what OSU brings back and what the opposition looks like I'm as comfortable with "NC run" talk as I have been since 2006.

(which of course means the fucking earth is about to explode or some such shit so be warned)

 

[osucollegebuck]

It seems to be a given that Gibson is leaving. Whats the thought process? Just getting a 1st round grade and getting into the league and getting that extra year of earning potential or do they look at similar type players like Vernon Gholston and Aaron Maybin who are struggling quite a bit and could have benefited from an extra year of college? Personally I think if Gibson leaves, Cam will follow suit. These guys seem to leave together.

 

[NUTS4theBUCKS28]

It seems to be a given that Gibson is leaving. Whats the thought process? Just getting a 1st round grade and getting into the league and getting that extra year of earning potential or do they look at similar type players like Vernon Gholston and Aaron Maybin who are struggling quite a bit and could have benefited from an extra year of college? Personally I think if Gibson leaves, Cam will follow suit. These guys seem to leave together.

god i sure hope not...if we have any hopes of winning a title with defense next year, we need their leadership and their ability to pressure the quarterback. boy i just hope they make the "smart" decision

 

[Jaxbuck]

It seems to be a given that Gibson is leaving. Whats the thought process? Just getting a 1st round grade and getting into the league and getting that extra year of earning potential or do they look at similar type players like Vernon Gholston and Aaron Maybin who are struggling quite a bit and could have benefited from an extra year of college? Personally I think if Gibson leaves, Cam will follow suit. These guys seem to leave together.

Quotes floating around in multiple threads from many close to the situation that say Thad is gone and Cam is staying.

If Cam leaves scrap everything I said about being ok with the DL next year.

 

[Taosman]

Which is precisely why you want to play them at home in 2010 rather than after another year of seasoning at their venue. Excellent strategy on your part. A substantial portion of their starting lineup is made up of sophomores and freshmen.
With a brand new quarterback replacing Tolzien, no more Gilreath, and Toon as a senior. That's not "loaded". They'll be a good team, but Bielema doesn't get the benefit of the doubt like Alvarez did.
And that's still not as challenging as traveling to Happy valley, where they are "loaded" with more than 1-2 notable players on either side of the ball.

Miami will still be young but very talented and explosive on offense.

I belveve Wiscy's QB(Tolzien) is just a junior? They will be loaded next year.
State Penn will be down a bit with a new QB. But they always play us tough.
Iowa the week after State Penn, will be loaded and out for blood after the way they lost this year.
Can we pull a Trifecta 2 years in a row? Tall order even for a loaded team.

 

[1926Buckeyes]

I'd have to say 2010, but a lot of that has to do with Heyward staying and Larimore coming back. With those two back, OSU has a great core for the DL and a big up and coming player in Simon along with Williams and others.

The LBs will be tops in the B10 (IMO) with Homan and Rolle both already playing at about All B10 level and Moeller rejoining the group as well. Good backups to.

Secondary could be a concern, especially if Checkwa leaves. If not, it does't look too bad since Torrence is a junior right? Hines is developing nicely and Checkwa is a good player as well. Only question is the other safety spot.

Overall if Heyward returns I think that the '10 D could possibly be better than the D this year.

On the Offensive side, I'm actually very excited about what has happened in the past couple of games. The coaches have put together one of the better running games of the Tressel era in the last couple of games. I can only see it getting better.

Both RBs return and that is a good tandem. There will be better depth and a talented frosh along with Hyde there too. Boren returns at FB and I've been impressed with how much he's improved. He could be a very good one.

Pryor is getting better, although at a slower pace than I thought he would, but it is progress none the less. Not sure about what others think, but I think that next season JT will trust him as much as he did Troy late in his junior year and that could mean a very good to great offense.

Most of the OL returns and all the WRs come back. Really I think next year OSU could have a great offense that averages 36 ppg.

Overall I think this team will have as good a chance as any at the title.

 

[JXC]

I think we will be lucky if the defense is close to as good next year as it is this year. The defense this year was VERY underrated. Best defense since 2002. There is no way I can see our defense being BETTER next year. If we want to win a NC next year, it's going to have to be because our offense gets much better.

 

[NateG]

I feel it could be a revisit to the 2008 Buckeye D. Return of the 2-3 big decision guys (Gibson/Cam/Chekwa) and then a few guys that step up and D reloaded.