ATS Sports Blog

This is a continuation of our series on our exclusive 2009 college football predictions.  Follow all of our 2009 college football predictions here (team by team) or here (by conference).

Ohio State Buckeyes

2008 Record: (10-3, 7-1)
Coach: Jim Tressel, 9th year (83-19 at Ohio State; 218-76-2 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Jim Bollman (9th year)
Def. Coordinator: Jim Heacock (5th year) and Luke Fickell (5th year)
Returning Starters: 13 (4 offense, 8 defense, kicker)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes (Terrelle Pryor)

Offense: The Terrelle Pryor (6-6, 235) era started last season and at times, the true freshman seemed a bit overwhelmed , especially in the passing game. As a runner, nobody has seen a big man run like Pryor since Vince Young. Unfortunately, the Buckeyes return just there other starters on offense as they lose leading runner Chris Wells and top receivers Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline to the NFL. Pryor threw for 1,311 yards with 12 TD passes last year and ran for 631 yards with six scores. At running back, sophomore Dan Herron, who ran for 439 yards last year and six touchdowns, returns along with junior Brandon Saine, the fastest player on offense. At receiver, there is room for freshmen Duron Carter and James Jackson if the holdovers aren’t ready to make a splash. The skill position players are inexperienced but talent. The bigger issue is on the offensive line, which underachieved last season, where sophomore Michael Brewster and right guard Bryant Browning (6-4, 312) are the only returning starters. Michigan transfer Justin Boren (6-3, 315) is slated to take over the left guard spot.

Defense: This is where the Ohio State Buckeyes distinguish themselves from the rest of the Big 10. They return eight starters from a defense that allowed just 13.9ppg (6th in the nation) and 293.8ypg (14th in the nation). They did lose All-Americans James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins, but the Buckeyes always seem to find talent on the stop unit. They return all four starters up front including Junior DE Thaddeus Gibson, who had five sacks last year, is the most dynamic pass rusher and should have a big season. Senior LB Austin Spitler (6-3, 234) is ready to take over finally for Laurinaitis, after years on special teams. The leading returning tackler is senior SS Kurt Coleman, who recorded 78 tackles last year. The key will be finding a corner to replace Jenkins. Freshman Corey Brown and junior Devon Torrence are favorites for the starting spot.

Outlook: The schedule features USC at home in the second game of the season and that game will determine whether Ohio State is ready to be a title contender. Navy, Toledo and New Mexico State should be gimmes. They also face Penn State on the road along with Michigan at the end of the season. The Buckeyes’ defense is good enough to keep them up top of the Big 10, but that’s not saying much.

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