Four years, four Big Ten titles, four BCS bowls, back-to-back national championship games, and yet after another long offseason Ohio State has much to prove this Saturday in its marquee matchup against USC (ESPN and ESPN360.com, 8 p.m. ET). Their success in recent years has been attributed to playing in a weak Big Ten. Key losses in high-profile games have cast a cloud over the entire conference. The Buckeyes, the Big Ten's flagship, has also struggled, losing five straight games in the national spotlight against top 10 competition.
Whether or not the Buckeyes achieve their goals rests solely on the shoulders of sophomore QB Terrelle Pryor, aka T.P. The moniker might as well stand for Tremendous Potential, as he was the main reason for the preseason predictions surrounding the Bucks and why Buckeye Nation believes it can move on and bury past performances. He has proven he can run and is fast, but how much his passing game has improved will be the true test as to how successful the Buckeyes will be in 2009.
The return of experienced WRs Dane Sanzenbacher and Ray Small should help, but be on the lookout for connections to the young WRs Devier Posey and Duron Carter.
But most importantly for T.P. will be how much offensive coordinator Jim Bollman's oft-maligned offensive line has improved. The play of the line in big games has been the most criticized and will be the crucial element in predicting success. The addition of the vocal leadership of Michigan transfer Justin Boren, may be just what this line needs. And at the left tackle position, Andrew Miller will be scrutinized closely as he was chosen over highly recruited Mike Adams and J.B. Shugarts. Excellent play from the offensive line is needed to open running lanes and give Pryor time in the pocket if the Buckeyes are going to be a legitimate threat with the spread offense.
Beanie Wells obviously cannot be replaced, but the running game should be solid with experienced RBs Dan Herron and Jamal Berry. This depth at running back along with Pryor's known running ability (553 yards and six TDs last year) should have opposing defenses on their toes. Coach Jim Tressel won't abandon the "three yards and a cloud of dust" philosophy, but hopefully it will not be the only phase of the offense, otherwise the young Bucks may be in for a long season.
The defense, on the other hand, looks very sound, with a front four that should match up well with any O-line in the country. Lack of speed (see games against USC, Florida and LSU) is the biggest knock on the Buckeyes the past few seasons, especially on the defense, but DEs Cameron Heyward and Thaddeus Gibson, aim to erase all of that. With the loss of two stellar LBs, strongside LB Austin Spitler with three years of experience behind Laurinatiis, and hard-hitting middle linebacker Brian Rolle, should both fit into their roles. Look for safety Kurt Coleman to have a monster season and help Buckeye Nation all but forget last year's Jim Thorpe Award winner, Malcolm Jenkins.
This much anticipated Week 2 rematch with PAC-10 archrival USC visiting the Horseshoe will be the true barometer of whether the Buckeyes will be able to make it to their fourth national championship game in seven years.
This rivalry goes much deeper than just last year's game. A victory over the Trojans, the team of the decade (sorry, Florida), with seven straight conference titles and BCS Bowls, three Heisman trophies, and two national championships, would be monstrous (but just about any victory over a top 10 would be at this point). This rivalry dates back to the Rose Bowl clashes of the 1970s when USC was the victor in three of the four games. The Buckeyes also aim to stop the Trojans' streak of six straight victories against them.
The loss to USC last year was tough for the Buckeyes. Manhandled in all facets of the game, the 35-3 score indicates a much closer game than it actually was. The defense has something to prove against the Trojans, who controlled the game with little defensive pressure felt. The Buckeye defense can truly have its revenge, as the Trojans return 10 starters on the offense, including what seems to be the deepest stable of running backs ever assembled. The difference this year, is that USC's QB will be Matt Barkley, who will be making only his second career start in front of a hostile crowd in Ohio Stadium, a tough place to play for any quarterback, let alone a freshman. Just as the Buckeyes seem to reload, so do the Trojans but the loss of nine senior starters on defense, is a bit much and should open the way for Pryor and company.
The excitement abounds in Columbus because a progam as storied as the Trojans has not visited the Shoe since Notre Dame did in the mid '90s. And with it, College GameDay is "Comin to Your City," Columbus. High Street will be rocking as GameDay will be hosting from the heart of Buckeye Nation for the 12th time in the program's history, with Herbie's homecoming. Lee Corso's weekly ritual of donning the headgear began in 1993 with the Buckeyes as he donned Brutus. Buckeye Nation is wishing he is healthy and strong, and will don Brutus once again, as the Buckeyes hope to lower the boom on the Trojans.
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