Now that Maurice Clarett has finally left the building and the storm from Troy Smith's lucrative handshake has appeared to blow over, Ohio State can focus on something a lot easier than all the dirty program allegations: winning the national title.
With nine starters returning on each side of the ball, the nation's best linebacking corps, one of the country's best 1-2 receiving punches in Santonio Holmes and Ted Ginn Jr., and size, speed and talent at every spot, there's no reason to believe the Buckeyes can't be in the mix for the Rose Bowl. But to get to Pasadena, Tressel Ball has to go bye-bye.
With more talent than anyone else on its schedule (including the teams from Ann Arbor and Austin), Ohio State has to open up the attack a little bit more and start to use all of its weapons. There's too much speed and too many NFL playmakers to struggle offensively like it did for most of last year, and there's no Mike Nugent to count on to bail the team out of jams.
The defense has the potential to be one of the nation's best if a second corner can emerge on the other side of Ashton Youboty and a pass rusher can start to wreak havoc on the offensive line. The offense will be better with a veteran front line and two good quarterbacks (Smith and Justin Zwick) to lead the way. Now the key is to avoid more controversy, don't answer any calls from ESPN reporters, and stay as focused as it was at the end of last year.
The Schedule: Everyone is talking about the primetime Texas showdown, but don't blow past the opener against Miami University. The battle with Iowa will set the bar for the Big Ten race, but that's in Columbus. There are a mere four road games with Penn State and Minnesota each potential landmines before the showdown in Ann Arbor. Missing Wisconsin is always a plus for the Buckeyes. Not playing Purdue doesn't hurt either.
Best Offensive Player: Sophomore WR Ted Ginn Jr. Santonio Holmes is the team's best receiver, but Ginn is the best all-around playmaker as a receiver, kick returner and runner. He's a home run waiting to happen every time he touches the ball.
Best Defensive Player: Senior LB A.J. Hawk. Bobby Carpenter, Anthony Schlegel and Mike D'Andrea aren't all that far behind, but Hawk is the tackling star with cornerback speed who'll be the leader of the D.
Key player to a successful season: Senior PK Josh Huston. Huston can't be Mike Nugent, but Ohio State will have to open the offense up more and change its overall style and philosophy if he isn't reliable.
The season will be a success if ... Ohio State wins the Big Ten title. Getting to the Rose Bowl would be sweet, but just winning the conference crown in a very strong year would be a tremendous accomplishment.
Key game: September 24th vs. Iowa. The Texas game is the biggest non-conference game in a long time and the Michigan game is the biggest one of the year, but the showdown against Iowa will make-or-break Big Ten title dreams before October hits.
2004 Fun Stats:
- Rushing touchdowns: Ohio State 11 - Opponents 10
- Field goals made: Ohio State 24 - Opponents 13
- Total offense: Opponents 3,984 - Ohio State 3,850
