Buckeye Football

Ohio State kicks off the 2009 season at home against the visiting Midshipmen from Navy.
The Buckeyes do have some holes to plug on both sides of the ball,but should be at least in the hunt for a Big Ten title and BCS bid.
On offense,Terrelle Pryor returns to pilot the offense with a year of experience under his belt.
Pryor might be the top rushing threat as well with the loss of Chris Wells at running back.
Pryor needs to continue to work on his passing,but should be the Buckeyes outstanding offensive player.
Former Pirate farmhand Joe Bauserman will back Pryor up and will get most of the garbage time snaps.
Ohio State has questions at running back with Wells gone,but both Daniel "Boom" Herron and Brandon Saine bring some experience to the table.
Herron,a sophomore,is more of a power runner,while Saine has struggled staying healthy,but has shown explosive elite level speed at times in his past two years.
Both should see plenty of action along with highly touted freshman Jamaal Berry.
Berry has been reported to show lots of promise in practice and the Florida native was one of the highest rated recruits among running backs in the country.
All three will share carries,until one separates from the pack.
Three Freshmen are battling for the starting spot as Zach Boren and Justin Homan appear to have gained a small edge on fellow freshman Jemil Martin.
The key is blocking for fullbacks in the Tressel system and any freshman in that spot will be tested quickly.
The wideouts lost lots of experience when Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline moved to the pros.
Ray Small has the most experience as a senior,but his OSU term has been marked by various off field issues,while junior Dane Sanzenbacher has shown good hands and most likely to replace Hartline as the possession receiver.
Sophomores Devier Posey and Lamaar Thomas should see time as well and freshman Duron Carter could be the best of the group by the time the season ends.
Massive senior Jake Ballard will be the tight end.
Ballard should be a huge target by the goal line and with a fast start could be a big part of the offense.
The offensive line lost the left side from last years line in tackle Alex Boone and guard Steve Rehring,but returns the other three starters.
Michigan transfer Justin Boren should be an upgrade over Rehring at guard and two huge tackles in Andrew Miller and JB Shugarts are battling for Boone's spot.
Hopefully,the winner can remember how to block in a bowl game.
Mike Brewster,Jim Cordle and Bryant Browning all return as starters....

The defense took some hits from the graduation bug,but should be an excellent unit by seasons end.
Ends Cameron Heyward and Thaddeus Gibson give OSU experienced and yet young starters,with hard luck senior Lawrence Wilson seeing lots of time as well.
Senior Doug Worthington is the top tackle and Dexter Larimore starts beside him,but if there is weakness on the defense,it is line depth.
Someone will need to step up over the course of the season....
All three linebackers moved on to the NFL,most notably James Laurinaitis,but Marcos Freeman was highly underrated as well.
Ohio State has tons of talent at backer though as Ross Homan should seamlessly transition into the spot vacated by Laurinaitis.
Senior Austin Spitler has waited a long time for his chance to start and junior Brian Rolle is no slouch either.
Two talented sophs are pushing for time in Etienne Sabino and Andrew Sweat,so either could move into the starting lineup before long.
Both corners vacated spots as 1st and 3rd draft picks Malcolm Jenkins and Donald Washington left for the pros.
Junior Chimidi Chekwa brings the most experience and will start on the top corner,senior Andre Amos and junior Devon Torrence will both spend time at the other corner spot.
Experience is not an issue at safety as seniors Anderson Russell and Kurt Coleman both return and could threaten for All America honors.
Jermale Hines should be the nickel safety.
Aaron Pettrey finally gets the kicking job to himself as Ryan Pretorius graduated.
Pettrey had split time for the last two seasons.
Jon Thoma looks to be the punter as a senior that has waited his turn.
Look for various players to return kicks and punts,but Brandon Saine and Ray Small should see the most opportunities.

Ohio State doesn't rebuild,so one would think they should be solid again and with a win over USC could be in position for another BCS title game.
There are questions though,although the non-conference is not rough other than the Trojans games.
Let's say 10-2,7-1 in conference and a BCS bid.

Today's game against Navy is not a gimme.
The feared triple option is in town and teams so rarely see the offense run and that could be a problem early.
But,this should not be too tough.
OSU 34-14.