Quick OSU preview

This years edition of the Ohio State Buckeyes is the mirror image of last years team.
The strength is on the defensive side of the football ,while the offense took major losses and needs to prove itself.
At Quarterback Todd Boeckman,as expected won the starting job,but at least early in the year,I think you could see at least 2 of the backups see some action and maybe all 3 backups.
Boeckman has the most experience of the passers in the OSU system,but watch out for Antonio Henson,if the Bucks get off to an unexpected slow start.
The Running game will likely be what makes the difference this season as heralded Sophomore Chris Wells has the job all to himself after Antonio Pittman's early departure to the NFL.
Wells was the top rated running back entering college from the high school ranks last year.
Veteran Maurice Wells adds depth,but the dark horse is Ohio's "Mr Football" Brandon Saine from Piqua Ohio.
Saine is a track star as well as a football star and could be a great change of pace for OSU.
The Wide Receivers are led by returnees Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline.
Hartline is a tough,possession receiver,while Robiskie showed last year that he is more than capable of big plays.
Rory Nicol and Jake Ballard will both see action at Tight End.
Nicol dropped some catchable balls last year and needs to improves his pass catching to avoid losing time to the huge 6'7 target that Ballard provides.
The offensive line needs to make holes for Wells and protect the less than veteran QB corps and is led by returning bookend tackles Alex Boone and Kirk Barton.
Both players could contend for various post season teams.

On defense,the line is led by outstanding ends Vernon Gholston and Lawrence Wilson,but lost both starting defensive tackles and will need someone to step up.
The massive Doug Worthington could be the breakout player here.
The linebackers are dominant led by all everything James Laurinatis manning the middle,but his flanks are covered well by Marcus Freeman and Larry Grant.
This group could be the best in the Big Ten and among the best in the country.
The defensive backs are led by Thorpe award nominee Malcolm Jenkins,but the remainder of the group need to prove themselves as starters instead of nickel backs-Jamario O'Neal is the most notable of these.

The kickers are both back and solid with Aaron Pettrey providing the placements and A.J. Trapasso doing the punting.

I see the Buckeyes getting off to an 8-0 start,due to the schedules starting soft,but failing a bit when the schedule toughens down the stretch.
So, I see them at 10-2,6-2 in the Big Ten.
Here is hoping for better than that!!!

I will try to return later with last night's Pirate game and more!

Photo Credit
Laurinaitis-AP Photo-Will Shilling
Wells-Chicago Tribune-Scott Strazzante