2010 NCAA Football Preview: Ohio State
The Tressel Era has been a good one for Ohio State fans. In nine seasons as the head of one of the most storied programs in the history of college football, Jim Tressel has done wonders. Three times he has played for a national title, winning one. In all nine seasons he has taken the team to a bowl game (winning five and losing four).
With success like his, more success is inevitably bred. An accomplished recruiter, Tressel has kept the team well stocked with talented, capable players to play what has been dubbed ‘Tresselball,’ a ball control, run oriented style of offence punctuated by a tough as nails defence.
After winning the Rose Bowl last season over the Oregon Ducks, the Buckeyes are primed to remain in the national spotlight. Back are all the right pieces for Tressel to do what he does best, run the ball and keep the other team out of the end zone. If he can field a team that is capable of doing it as well as he would like then the Buckeyes may have a shot at playing for the national title for the fourth time over the last decade.
Offence
When all you lose is two starters from the previous season then chances are good that your unit will not miss a beat.
Back are all the skill positions including quarterback Terrelle Pryor, fullback Zach Boren, and running back Brandon Saine. Pryor is a little erratic at times, but towards the end of last season he appeared to finally be coming into his own. On the ground he contributed 779 yards on 162 carries to the nation’s 18th best rushing team last season. All conference running back Brandon Saine contributed another 739 yards on 145 carries; Daniel Herron tacked on another 600 yards.
Between the three players the Buckeyes will once again play a ball control run first game next year. However, where they may hurt is in not having enough of a passing game to keep opposing defenses honest. Passing has not exactly been Pryor’s strong point; he barely had 2000 yards last season with just over half of his passes being completed.
That being said, wide receivers Devier Posey and Dane Sanzenbacher will be dependent on Pryor as to how well they do. All considering, both did well with what they had to work with; Posey made 60 catches for 828 yards and eight touchdowns while Sanzenbacher caught another 36 for 570 yards and six touchdowns.
Where the offence will really shine is in the linemen; the unit brings back four of five players, both guards (senior all-conference selection Justin Boren and Bryant Browning), junior center Mike Brewster, and junior tackle J.B. Shugarts.
Defence
The defence returns, not as intact as the offense (that only lost two players), but has to find replacements at four positions.
Two will be on the front four. One side of the line returns intact, seniors Dexter Larimore and all-conference selection Cameron Heyward. Heyward’s production has increased each year over the last three seasons; last season he made 46 tackles and six sacks. Larimore has played his role well, but may be asked to produce more than the 51 total tackles he has made over the last three seasons.
Ross Homan stepped up big last season making 108 tackles and earning all-conference honors in the process. Brian Rolle is back at the middle linebacker spot where he made 93 tackles. Etienne Sabino Jr will be expected to step into the starting role at the strong side linebacker position.
The secondary will make it very hard for teams to throw on them. Back are three seniors Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence at the corners and Jermale Hines at free safety. So far they have Orhian Johnson penciled in to start at strong safety.
With a defence as stingy as the Buckeyes and an offence ready to control the clock it would not be surprising to see Ohio State playing for the national title come January.
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