No. 2 | Ohio State

By Nick Leach | 9.3.2010

Head Coach    2009 Record    Returning Starters

Jim Tressel         11-2 (7-1)       9 Offense, 6 Defense

Offensive Overview
The strength of the Buckeyes (shocker) is their running game. They have a stable of RB's reminiscent of USC a few years ago. Boom Herron and Brandon Saine will lead the charge running the ball but look for FB Zach Boren, RB Jordan Hall and Jamaal Berry to get some spot duty in there as well. The offensive line is loaded with not only talent, but also experience with soon to be 3 year starter and junior Michael Brewster leading the way at center. Terrelle Pryor has shown growth and surprisingly led the team in rushing last year, making that rushing attack even more potent. He'll have his top two targets back in WR's Devier Posey and Dane Sanzenbacher who are both very polished and balanced. A new tweak to the offense will be having a flex TE that Pryor seems to have a connection with in sophomore TE Jake Stoneburner. This group has no apparent weaknesses outside of some depth issues at WR and QB, but this offense should be able to run the ball and

control the clock, making a certain coach very happy. Will Pryor

continue to make the strides he showed at the end of last year? That answer could be the key to whether or not OSU brings home another title.

Defensive Overview

For as talented as the offense is, the defense still tops them. The defensive line is fast, strong, athletic, and aggressive. DE Cameron Heyward returned for his senior year and will be up there with Adrian Clayborn of Iowa as the top DL in the conference. Young stars like DE Nathan Williams and DT's Garrett Goebel and Johnny Simon round out a very deep core. At LB they return both Brian Rolle and Ross Homan, both All-Conference caliber and tackling machines. The secondary shows 3 returning starters but the loss of SS Kurt Coleman will mean someone else has to step up as leader of that secondary but with 3 seniors back there that shouldn't be much of a worry. Chekwa and Torrence are strong corners that will allow safety Jermale Hines to roam free and make plays. The emergence of safety Orhian Johnson is really the only question that remains as this defense should again be one of the nation's best and shutting down run games.

Team Superlatives
Most Likely to be a leader on offense: OG Justin Boren
Most Likely to be a leader on defense: DE Cameron Heyward
Most Likely to be a household name by December: WR Devier Posey/DT Johnny Simon
Most Likely to make an instant impact: TE Jake Stoneburner/Simon
Most Likely to lead the team in tackles: LB Brian Rolle
Most Likely to lead the team in sacks: DE Nathan Williams
Most Likely to lead the team in receiving yards: Posey
Most Likely to lead the team in rushing yards: RB Brandon Saine
Most Likely to win a national award: Heyward

Prediction

2010 Prediction: 12-0 (8-0)

Given their fairly easy OOC schedule (outside of the Miami game) the season should come down to games on the road against Wisconsin and Iowa. These will offer serious obstacles in the way to a national title but given their dominating lines on both side of the ball and ability to run the ball and control the clock it sets up favorably for them. OSU traditionally has not played well in road games at night so the visit to Camp Randall will be the tell all game for the Buckeyes. As previously mentioned, much of the season rides on Pryor and given that nearly the entire offense returns and their first 4 games are at home, it's not hard to foresee him getting off to a hot start and building the confidence necessary to finish off conference play as Big Ten champs for the record tying 6th straight season.