Ohio State Buckeyes
Overall Rank: #13
#3 Big Ten
Ohio State Team Page
2010 Record: (12-1, 7-1)
2010 Bowl: Sugar Bowl vs. Arkansas (W 31-26)
Coach: Luke Fickell (First year at Ohio State, 0-0 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Jim Bollman
Defensive Coordinator: Jim Heacock
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Dan Herron, RB, 1,155 yards
Passing: Joe Bauserman, QB, 174 yards
Receiving: DeVier Posey, WR, 848 yards
Tackles: Orhian Johnson, S, 50
Sacks: Nathan Williams, DE, 4.5
Interceptions: Travis Howard, CB, 2
Other Key Returnees: OT Mike Adams, S C.J. Barnett, C Mike Brewster, OT J.B. Shugarts, DT John Simon, TE Jake Stoneburner, LB Andrew Sweat
Key Losses: G Justin Boren, G Bryant Browning, CB Chimdi Chekwa, DE Cameron Heyward, S Jermale Hines, LB Ross Homan, DT Dexter Larimore, QB Terrelle Pryor, LB Brian Rolle, WR Dane Sanzenbacher, CB Devon Torrence
There are obviously a lot of opinions on how Ohio State will come out of the gate this season. With four players suspended for the first five games, Terrelle Pryor long gone and Jim Tressel taking the money and getting out of Dodge, it will be interesting to see if this group comes together and plays up to their potential or if they run into a rough spot or two and their youth and inexperience get the best of them.
Strengths:
One thing Ohio State will have is a solid running game…even if there is not a running back that will get the bulk of the carries. It is the offensive line, led by Mike Adams and Mike Brewster that will make any running back look good. And the Buckeyes certainly do not need the line to make their backs look good. Dan Herron rushed for 1,155 yards last season, but he could lose his job while he sits out the first five games. Jaamal Berry and Jordan Hall are a couple of explosive rushers and redshirt freshman Rod Smith keeps creeping into the conversation. The defense lost seven starters from a unit that dominated the Big Ten a year ago, but they will reload. The numbers may not be as good overall due to the questions on offense, but the defense is just as talented. Strong safety Orhian Johnson is ready to lead the secondary and there are plenty of young corners to take over for Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence, most notably Travis Howard and Dominic Clarke. With Tyler Moeller and C.J. Barnett returning from injury, the secondary has plenty of talented options. The linebackers will be led by Andrew Sweat, but expect a big year out of middle linebacker Etienne Sabino as he takes over the starting job. The defensive line should be strong under the supervision of tackle John Simon and end Nathan Williams. Cameron Heyward will be missed, but Williams and others can fill the void.
Weaknesses:
So who is the quarterback now? Senior Joe Bauserman has the experience. Freshman Braxton Miller has the talent. Bauserman is a pocket passer. Miller is a dual-threat who can make plays with his arm and his legs. Either way, both quarterbacks are pretty darn good and the battle for the starting job could go well into the fall and Coach Luke Fickell will find the signal caller that is best for his team to win right now. The bigger issue may be at wide receiver. Last year it was all about Dane Sanzenbacher and DeVier Posey. Sanzenbacher is gone and Posey will be out for the first five games. The Buckeyes failed to find the third receiving target they were hoping for and now they have to find one. Sophomores Corey Brown and Chris Fields are talented players, but they failed to turn into quality receivers last year when OSU needed them. They will not have much of a choice this time around. One option will be tight end Jake Stoneburner. He is a big target and will be a nice safety valve for the new quarterback.
The Bottom Line:
Ohio State as a program may be looking towards the future, but that is not how it works for Coach Fickell and his players. They are out there to win games…not worry about who may be coaching next year or trying to develop talent now for the years to come. This is still a team that can win the Big Ten and every player on the team thinks they will. We probably will not find out until the end of October after the Buckeyes take on Nebraska and Wisconsin.
Projected Bowl: Capital One Bowl
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 220.08 (14th in nation, 4th in conference)
Passing Offense: 228.54 (54, 7)
Total Offense: 448.62 (20, 2)
Scoring Offense: 38.77 (11, 2)
Rushing Defense: 96.69 (3, 1)
Pass Defense: 165.54 (8, 1)
Total Defense: 262.23 (4, 1)
Scoring Defense: 14.31 (5, 1)
Turnover Margin: 1.15 (4, 1)
Sacks: 1.77 (76, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 1.69 (46, 8)
Madness 2012 NFL Draft Rankings:
#22 Michael Brewster
#37 Mike Adams
#39 Dan Herron
#74 DeVier Posey
Madness 2011 Football Draft Rankings:
#17 Curtis Grant
#26 Braxton Miller
#58 Doran Grant
#77 Steve Miller
#93 Ryan Shazier
#119 Kenny Hayes
#157 Chase Farris
#166 Nick Vannett
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