How will our Buckeyes fare in 2007?

[Onebuckfan]

The pieces are in place BUT where will the offensive leadership come from? In the seven on seven drills last summer we know Troy took care of business. With a new QB will he be able to take the reins of the offense and execute.will he know where everyone is supposed to be..will be able to offer constructive criticism or even encouragement. Spring Practice this year will be critical to see if one of the QB's steps out of Troy's shadow, or will the rest of the O rallys around the new guy..or will the position be up for grabs all spring and summer. I think Todd will take charge and said 11-2, if the qb is undecided I say 9-4.

 

[abuck50]

The Buckeyes should be very strong next year! The running game will be awsome with Barton and Boone back. Wells should run all over the competition. Michigan lost alot on defense. Our QB will have lots of protection in the pocket which will make up for inexperience. We won't have to face Woodley or Harvey next year!

 

[DVo45]

12-1, 11-2

I do not like back to back road games early in the year with a brand new quarterback.

Not to mention @Penn State and then come home to play Wisconsin.

I could see OSU dropping a back to back road game and then dropping PSU or Wisconsin.



I

 

[Honor&Glory]

The Buckeyes should be very strong next year! The running game will be awsome with Barton and Boone back. Wells should run all over the competition. Michigan lost alot on defense. Our QB will have lots of protection in the pocket which will make up for inexperience. We won't have to face Woodley or Harvey next year!

if Boone ever gets out of his stance....


sorry...had to say it.

 

[Mike80]

I voted 13-0 and NC for the hell of it

 

[braylon1]

Harvey ???

if Boone ever gets out of his stance....


Who is Harvey ?

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

I know I already predicted 11-2 in my post on the previous page, but I never said why:

(W) Youngstown State (Columbus, Ohio)
(W) Akron (Columbus, Ohio)
(*) Washington (Seattle, Wash.)
(W) Northwestern (Columbus, Ohio)
(W) Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.)
(W) Purdue West (Lafayette, Ind.)
(W) Kent State (Columbus, Ohio)
(W) Michigan State (Columbus, Ohio)
(*) Penn State (University Park, Penn.)
(*) Wisconsin (Columbus, Ohio)
(W) Illinois (Columbus, Ohio)
(*) Michigan (Ann Arbor, Mich.)

The four (*) games are "pick-em" in my mind...I don't see us losing more than three of them and I think we win at least two of them. Thus, my choice of 11-2 (with a bowl win).

 

[zBuckeye10z]

I know I already predicted 11-2 in my post on the previous page, but I never said why:

(W) Youngstown State (Columbus, Ohio)
(W) Akron (Columbus, Ohio)
(*) Washington (Seattle, Wash.)
(W) Northwestern (Columbus, Ohio)
(W) Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.)
(W) Purdue West (Lafayette, Ind.)
(W) Kent State (Columbus, Ohio)
(W) Michigan State (Columbus, Ohio)
(*) Penn State (University Park, Penn.)
(*) Wisconsin (Columbus, Ohio)
(W) Illinois (Columbus, Ohio)
(*) Michigan (Ann Arbor, Mich.)

The four (*) games are "pick-em" in my mind...I don't see us losing more than three of them and I think we win at least two of them. Thus, my choice of 11-2 (with a bowl win).

I dont think we lose to Washington next year. I think we will be "weaker" obviously than we were this year but not that weak where we lose to a Washington team. Other than that, good picks, but we definately always keep our confidence high so we can say we will beat scUM.

 

[HailToMichigan]

I dont think we lose to Washington next year. I think we will be "weaker" obviously than we were this year but not that weak where we lose to a Washington team. Other than that, good picks, but we definately always keep our confidence high so we can say we will beat scUM.

I wouldn't be so sure. I agree with Mili in calling that one a toss-up for now. In Columbus OSU would be favored by a good two touchdowns, but Husky Stadium is a different story. That place can get loud, and early in the season, it's a trap game for an OSU team that won't learn anything about itself in the first two games. Two comfy cupcakes at home followed by a long road trip to a difficult stadium is a recipe for a potential upset.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

I wouldn't be so sure. I agree with Mili in calling that one a toss-up for now. In Columbus OSU would be favored by a good two touchdowns, but Husky Stadium is a different story. That place can get loud, and early in the season, it's a trap game for an OSU team that won't learn anything about itself in the first two games. Two comfy cupcakes at home followed by a long road trip to a difficult stadium is a recipe for a potential upset.

Bingo. I still think we'll prevail, but I'm not confident enough to call it a "W". I'll be there for the game...Huskie Stadium looks like a great venue and I think it'll be a great time.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

I may try and grab a couple tickets for that Washington game.

 

[MaxBuck]

Thanks, Mili, for posting the games for ease in explanation. I see 4 losses:

(W) Youngstown State (Columbus, Ohio)
(W) Akron (Columbus, Ohio)
(*) Washington (Seattle, Wash.)
(W) Northwestern (Columbus, Ohio)
(W) Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.)
(W) Purdue (West Lafayette, Ind.)
(W) Kent State (Columbus, Ohio)
(*) Michigan State (Columbus, Ohio)
(L) Penn State (University Park, Penn.)
(*) Wisconsin (Columbus, Ohio)
(*) Illinois (Columbus, Ohio)
(L) Michigan (Ann Arbor, Mich.)

If you figure we lose half the tossups, that works out to 8-4 regular season.

I think our chances of winning the bolded "L" games to be negligible, just as I see the chances of losing the bolded "W" games to be negligible.

Our recent mediocre recruiting I see as coming home to roost in 2007. Year 2008 and following should see our fortunes improve. JMO.

 

[jwinslow]

10-2 is very achievable, imo... and would be a successful season (and a likely BCS berth).

I think our chances of winning the bolded "L" games to be negligible, just as I see the chances of losing the bolded "W" games to be negligible.

You really feel that our chances @ PSU/UM are nearly identical as YSU/Akron/NW/KSU's chances against us? Wow. OSU may be underdogs, but we'll definitely have a shot in both games.

PSU is always tough in HV, but they lose the heart of their offense (Hunt & Brown) and Morelli is rarely consistent. UM has a strong offense returning, but their defense is decimated... other than their very weak corners.

If you figure we lose half the tossups, that works out to 8-4 regular season.

I also think it's a little pessimistic to assume we'll drop at least one game against Washington, Illinois, & NW. Wisky will be tough, but losing Thomas will be a big blow, IMO.

 

[NFBuck]

Thanks, Mili, for posting the games for ease in explanation. I see 4 losses:

(W) Youngstown State (Columbus, Ohio)
(W) Akron (Columbus, Ohio)
(*) Washington (Seattle, Wash.)
(W) Northwestern (Columbus, Ohio)
(W) Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.)
(W) Purdue (West Lafayette, Ind.)
(W) Kent State (Columbus, Ohio)
(*) Michigan State (Columbus, Ohio)
(L) Penn State (University Park, Penn.)
(*) Wisconsin (Columbus, Ohio)
(*) Illinois (Columbus, Ohio)
(L) Michigan (Ann Arbor, Mich.)

If you figure we lose half the tossups, that works out to 8-4 regular season.

I think our chances of winning the bolded "L" games to be negligible, just as I see the chances of losing the bolded "W" games to be negligible.

Our recent mediocre recruiting I see as coming home to roost in 2007. Year 2008 and following should see our fortunes improve. JMO.

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but if you think our chances against scUM are "negligible", you haven't been paying attention the last six years. While we are replacing arguably the best QB in tOSU history, our new signal caller will have a very good line and a strong running game to ease the transition, unlike what JZ/TS had to endure in '04. Our defense will also be loaded with veterans with a sizeable chip on their shoulder. M*ch*g*n, on the otherhand, looses the heart and soul of their D. Yes they have Henne, Hart and Manningham back, but by the time we play them our offense should be clicking and I think a stout D wins it for us. That doesn't even factor in the advantage JT has on Voyd in the coaching department. I see a game similar to the 2004 matchup.

The games that really concern me are in Happy Valley and Wiscy. Illinois will be better, and while it could be a "trap" game sandwiched between Wiscy and scUM, I just can't see us losing to them in the Shoe in November. Washington doesn't really scare me. There is a sizeable talent and coaching gap and they lost their best offensive player (QB Stanback).

 

[sandgk]

The only part of that with which I disagree NFBuck is that Illinois will be better. In fact I could easily see Illinois going 0-8 in the big 10, they may still end up with a better overall record, but not good enough to trap the Buckeyes. Happy Valley and the Wiscy curse game worry me for sure.
Personally I see Wisconsin with a shot at winning the whole enchilada in the Big 10 (then getting screwed over by the BCS due to two other teams in the polls).
Based on the teams that they don't have to play, as much as those they do have to play, Northwestern is the other team outside of Ohio State Wisconsin and Penn State that gets a big nod. They miss Wisconsin and Penn State. They do have to play both Michigan and Ohio State (and will lose to both).
The top four could be a dogfight. One way it could pan out (if Wiscy wins in Columbus) is like this:

-----------Overall - Conf
Team -------W L -- CW CL
Wisconsin ---12 0 -- 8 0
Ohio State - 11 1 -- 7 1
Michigan ----10 2 -- 6 2
Northwestern 9 3 -- 5 3
Penn State --8 4 -- 4 4

Ohio State I have squeaking out a win in Happy Valley - because, for once on their soil, our better defense will win, and I believe the Buckeyes still bring a better offense than the Lions can muster sans Hunt and with Morelli. I also have them winning close in Washington, and Ann Arbor.
Penn State's record I base on Michigan State getting a season defining win in Dantonio's first year at the end of the schedule.

But, frankly you could reshuffle those top four any way you choose and make as strong a case.