2004 Statistics

Quarterback
Regardless of the amount of talent here, many are concerned about the instability at this position. As the campaign ended in '04, Troy Smith seemed to be solidified as the Buckeye starter. But Smith had admittedly taken cash from boosters, so, after an internally-imposed suspension, the school is now petitioning the NCAA for his reinstatement. If Smith is back, his ability to find the open guy and/or run with it as needed make Ohio State a favorite to win the conference. Smith allows the offense to ball-fake to several players on each down, forcing already-spread out defenses to stay home and remain flatfooted as they try to decipher OSU's sophisticated schemes. His 'backup' is Justin Zwick, a developing pocket-passer who shook off early-season poor play to soar as Smith's replacement in their big Alamo Bowl win. The resurgent Zwick seems to have gone to that next level in his ability to read coverages and get his team downfield. When given the opportunity to play/start in '05, he will shine and could then, with momentum, supplant Smith. Todd Boeckman, along with newly-inked Rob Schoenhoft - both 6'5" in-state products - gives the Buckeyes genuine raw talent to lean upon here. This will be an iffy, but healthy dimension for Ohio State fans, regardless.

Running Back
With three of the top four backs existing, shifty sophomore Antonio Pittman emerges as the top man. Pittman will be a feature back, something different for a team that has done the running back-by-committee thing for a few years now. The Buckeyes will be better off banging the same back (ala Clarett) - in this case Pittman, a guy who can average over five yards per carry. Upperclassman Brandon Schnittker will easily be what Branden Joe was - a bull who clears huge gaping holes, but who also carries/catches it enough to keep opposing LBs honest. But, there is a real drop-off after Pittman. Tressel seems to have little depth at tailback. Rivals.com rated quickster frosh back Maurice Wells as the nation's fourth overall incoming back, and sophomore local Eric Haw would become a team leader quickly if given the opening to show his stuff, which will likely happen on third downs. This underdeveloped unit is a big question mark for overall impact in the Buckeyes' offensive approach, but the strong line will carry them early.

Receiver
As underdeveloped as the RBs are, the WRs are that much further along. Junior Santonio Holmes (NC.net third-team all-American) is already the "go to" guy, getting more than twice the balls in '04 than OSU's No.2 receiver. That other guy is former-DB Ted Ginn, Jr., a sophomore who lines up anywhere from the classic "slot" to a "no man's land" 15 feet adjacent to the backfield. And Tressel will get even more creative from there, so expect to see foes heads spinning as they try to follow just where Ginn will sting them next. Junior Roy Hall has more size than any other WR, a plus for down-field blocking as well as endzone fades. When you factor in emerging deep threat (soph.) Anthony Gonzales (two TDs and 22.4 yds in the speedsters eight catches), you see possibly a balanced receiver corps. Look for the Buckeye's simpler aerial approach to really develop as these guys all hit the peaks of their college careers simultaneously this campaign. A 60-40 run-pass ratio in '04 should move closer to 50-50.

Tight End
Another strength. Senior Ryan Hamby has the size, hands and footwork to impact all offensive dimensions. Hamby will both take mismatched LBs downfield and then flatten them on short yardage plays. Just as capable Rory Nicol will not sneak up on nearly as many this campaign. The sophomore, who ran a 15.8 in the 110-hurdles as a prep junior, will definitely see more balls come his way. These two guys' thorough approaches mean defenses cannot tell what is up if/when both are in.

Offensive Line
Here, Ohio State looks great, too. What was the team's weakest offensive area just last year is now anchored by seniors (LT) Rob Sims and (C) Nick Mangold. Sophomore Kirk Barton and junior Tim Shafer will easily take good care of the other tackle position, as both have started there. T.J. Downing should be the guy rotated into the empty guard position, but spring ball will tell if newbie blue-chip tackle Alex Boone is good enough to shake things up in the front five. Boone is looking like he will be heir-apparent for that left tackle spot, so expect to see him in there, regardless. With seven players having starting experience, unknown depth issues should figure themselves out quickly.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Zwick and Smith both came onto the scene just last year, and with both seeing about the same amount of playing time, no seniority has been established. What does exist is a noticeable difference in the play-calling whether Smith or Zwick is lining up under center. Zwick makes OSU more conventional, though reverses, play-actions and spread offenses utilizing the variable roles of Ginn will keep defenses guessing. But surely, the run sets up the pass when Justin is their leader. Then, if you change up to the dual-threat of Troy Smith, there are some wild wrinkles fifth-year coordinator Jim Bollman throws into the mix. The sets with Smith at the helm will continue to be innovative - Ginn will still be all over the place and opposing secondaries will find themselves often mismatched if trying to spy Smith, which they had best do. With Pittman, a strong line and their lethal receivers, either formula will work, though Smith adds that improvisation so hard to account for - just ask Michigan. Depth issues at TB, though, make Pittman's health a huge issue for this scheme to be assured and viable. OSU should break out of last year's offensive predictability that led to a mere 37% third-down conversion rate - later into the season, State was easily stopped at the most critical third-down junctures, a major factor that led to three straight losses. With so much talent, this reflected on the line's play. Accordingly, a more mature, gelled line alone will (have to) be responsible for an increase in the run average (4.0) as well as a decrease in sacks.

Defensive Line
Five upper classmen return - all with starting experience - and there is enough depth to again make any OSU front-four a 60-minute bear. Inside, Green, Pitcock and Patterson will rotate for each other, but there are also many hungry, worthy underclassmen waiting for chances they will assuredly get. We know these three will definitely get into opponents' backfields early and often. The starting outside guys - senior Mike Kudla and junior Jay Richardson - will get an influx of Detroit burner Vernon Gholston (sophomore runs a 4.5-sec. 40) and 6'6" true frosh phenom Lawrence Wilson (38" vertical leap). With MLB Anthony Schlegel often lining up (he even started the opener) effectively at DE, this is a svelte, quick-footed, proven group that can protect all the way to the sidelines. The Buckeye's rank of 35th in run stopping will definitely improve.

Linebacker
All of the starters return, and each will be a senior, to boot. There will be a healthy competition for the inside spot in the Buckeye's 4-3 set. When Mike D'Andrea went down to a bad knee after three games in '04, his second straight year of suffering a season ending injury (shoulder in '03), Anthony Schlegel stepped in to then lead OSU in TFLs (10.5) and come in second in sacks. Both disrupt offenses in multiple ways, and both will want to start. And most bankable - 2005 NationalChamps.net first-team all-American A.J. Hawk (WLB) is a magnet to the ball, seemingly in on every tackle and affecting every play. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter will again drop into coverage to take away any YAC underneath. The unit works in orchestration well, each player complimenting the others' strengths so that any breakdowns become unnoticeable. Need proof? Hawk, Carpenter, and Schlegel - in that order - led the team in tackles.

Defensive Back
This unit will need to develop some help in coverage to remain the nation's 19th-rated pass efficiency defense. The focus has to be at corner. After the NFL-bound Gamble and Fox, junior Ashton Youboty is the next great corner to emerge in the Horseshoe. The big question pertains to the other side - senior E.J. Underwood, already a starter, must outplay his younger brother Brandon (sophomore) in spring ball to secure the other starting spot. Cleveland-native Jamario O'Neal is a true freshman who comes in as Rivals.com No.3-rated corner. All are well-sized and each will only add to the talent that drops into coverage. Safety looks better, with seniors Everett, Salley and junior Whitner representing a deep well of big roamers who can all match up as well as hit with power. This crew will again often bend (allowed 118 first downs through the air) without often breaking (allowed merely 5.6 yards per attempt while the longest pass play for an opponent all year was 46 yards.)

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
This is a strong group, with enough potential in the returning starter to make this a top 10-ranked overall unit. The run stopping is of concern, seeing how opponents gained 3.5 yards per try. Ohio State could have lost more games, and second half run-stopping issues were luckily stemmed elsewhere to preserve the wins they got. The entire returning LB corps should help, but keep an eye on opponents' ground stats to see how the Buckeyes are doing overall. The issues at corner are easily solved in spring, so we will let you know which Underwood gets the spot, or if someone plays past them to earn it. This group has to become more than a bend-but-don't-break kind of squad. OSU is really teetering on the verge of having a dominating defense, but until they establish that via experience, they cannot let their team speed lead to over-pursuit.