QB Terrelle Pryor
2010 SCHEDULE
9-2-10 MARSHALL (Thur.)
9-11-10 MIAMI FL
9-18-10 OHIO
9-25-10 EASTERN MICHIGAN
10-2-10 at Illinois
10-9-10 INDIANA
10-16-10 at Wisconsin
10-23-10 PURDUE
10-30-10 at Minnesota
11-13-10 PENN STATE
11-20-10 at Iowa
11-27-10 MICHIGAN
Coach: Jim Tressel
94-21, 9 years

2009 Statistics
2009 RESULTS: 11-2
NAVY WON 31-27
USC LOST 15-18
vs. Toledo WON 38-0
ILLINOIS WON 30-0
at Indiana WON 33-14
WISCONSIN WON 31-13
at Purdue LOST 18-26
MINNESOTA WON 38-7
NEW MEXICO ST WON 45-0
at Penn State WON 24-7
IOWA WON 27-24 (OT)
at Michigan WON 21-10
ROSE BOWL
Oregon WON 26-17

2009 Final Rankings
AP-5, Coaches-5, BCS-8

 
2010 Outlook

The Buckeyes return 16 starters, which includes every single starter on the offense outside of tight end, from a team that looked fabulous while winning the Rose Bowl on New Years Day. The last time the Buckeyes had that many returning, they were playing in the national championship game. But what really puts Ohio State near the very top of these preseason polls was the promise QB Terrelle Pryor demonstrated in that Rose Bowl victory over a hot Oregon Ducks football squad where he threw for a season high 266 yards and was able to demonstrate how far he had come in his ability to read the field. This will be the year dual-threat phenom Terrelle Pryor is truly graded. His first two years were adequate, but far from strong enough to meet the lofty expectations – No.1 prep recruit in the nation – that he has carried since arriving late in 2008. The passing game is not going to get worse; it should only improve, which ultimately means that dreams of playing for more than just a conference title have some truth to them.

The receivers are still lacking superstar power but this offensive line has some real serious potential. Enough so that the ground game has to be considered a major focus for opposing defenses while making life for Pryor as a passer that much easier. The losses on defense appear a little more prevalent. The secondary must find a pair of safeties they are happy with and many of the backups, especially on the defensive line, are mostly first or second year players.

Year-in, year-out, nobody knows how to succeed in the Big Ten better than Ohio State. The Buckeye’s combination of a powerful ground game and a consistent, top rated defense perennially lands them atop this venerable conference. Whereas the Buckeyes have lived on this formula while reeling in five consecutive Big Ten titles, they have also died the same way(s) when it comes to winning the bigger games, especially those for all the national marbles. How can Ohio State stack up with the speed and skills of SEC type teams when it comes to the big game? This may not be the year that gap gets closed should all the marbles boil down to such a match up. But in regards to winning the Big Ten, this is still the perfect formula and OSU has got it.

This offense has the potential to be just as explosive as the 2006 team that went undefeated throughout the regular season and produced a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback in Troy Smith. The defense will be solid as always. What makes or breaks this team will be just how far the passing game has evolved with Pryor behind center.


Projected 2010 record: 11-1
DE Cameron Heyward
OHIO STATE
2009 Statistical Rankings
OFFENSE
 
National
Conf.
Rushing:
18
3
Passing:
103
11
Total Off:
68
8
Sacks Allow:
57
6
DEFENSE
 
National
Conf.
Rushing:
7
3
Passing:
13
2
Total Def:
5
1
Sacks:
34
6
RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Terrelle Pryor, 167-295-11, 2094 yds., 18 TD

Rushing: Terrelle Pryor, 162 att., 779 yds., 7 TD

Receiving: DeVier Posey, 60 rec., 828 yds., 8 TD

Scoring: Dan Herron, DeVier Posey - 8TD each, 48 pts.

Punting: Ben Buchanan, 4 punts, 42.8 avg.

Kicking: Devin Barclay, 7-10 FG, 12-12 PAT, 33 pts.

Tackles: Ross Homan, 108 tot., 57 solo

Sacks: Cameron Heyward, 6.5 sacks

Interceptions: Ross Homan, 5 for 44 yds.

Kickoff Returns: Brandon Saine, 4 ret., 20.8 avg., 0 TD

Punt Returns: DeVier Posey, 3 ret., 1.7 avg., 0 TD

 
 
OHIO STATE
2010 College Football Preview
OFFENSE - 10
----RETURNING STARTERS----
DEFENSE - 6
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Ray Small-WR, Jake Ballard-TE, Jim Cordle-OT, Aaron Pettrey-K
DEFENSE: Doug Worthington-DT, Todd Denlinger-DT, Lawrence Wilson-DT, Austin Spitler-SLB, Kurt Coleman-SS, Anderson Russell-FS, Jon Thoma-P, Thaddeus Gibson-DE (NFL)
2010 OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK

Junior Terrelle Pryor is ready to prove that his Rose Bowl performance this past January was a coming out party and not a fluke. The 2009 season had its share of ups and downs for Pryor and his passing numbers both of the last two seasons have been poor (ranked 103rd nationally in 2009). All of this led to some second guessing by Pryor and the non-coaching friends surrounding him as to whether he was being used properly by Coach Tressel as opposed to this being a problem with Pryor's actual ability. The important aspect for now is that it appears Pryor's throwing motion and more important his progressions have seemingly gotten better since last November. Everyone knows his feet can do plenty of damage but if the arm doesn't start to pan out the team results will remain the same. With minimal losses up front, the only question is whether or not Tressel trusts Pryor enough to let him drive the offense. Coach Tressel also held Troy Smith in check until his Heisman senior campaign. Pryor is sitting on a chance to accomplish similar stature in just his junior year if he can learn to manage his bad days better. Joe Bauserman is currently the lead back up for now based on experience but the running/athletic ability of Texas native Ken Guiton could make this battle close.

RUNNING BACK

A large array of talent will line up in the backfield...almost too much of it. Most coaches would have no problem with such a development but what will end up happening again much like last season is that the carries will get split, there won't be a 1,000 yard rusher and Terrelle Pryor will end up being the team's leading rusher. Missing in this formula is the big man...the Maurice Clarett, Antonio Pittman or Beanie Wells of the past to name a few. But that does not mean there are no special talents in this group. Speaking of which...Brandon Saine and Dan Herron (Boom and Zoom), the mainstays from last year, will continue to get the bulk of the carries. With youngsters like Hyde, Berry and Jordan Hall pushing to get on the field the reps could dwindle even more. Incoming 6'3, 220 lb recruiting sensation Roderick Smith is also set to arrive in August. Each running back seems to have his own set of characteristics in the backfield, which could play into Ohio State's advantage. The battle for playing time will be an ongoing fight the entire season. FB Zach Boren (older brother Justin an All-American on this OL) has run away with first team responsibilities and possesses the typical physical skills coaches come to expect at the position. He can also catch passes and refuses to go down after contact.

RECEIVER

Devier Posey continues to show athletic flashes as to how he could easily become one of the top receivers in the Big Ten while slot receiver Dane Sanzenbacher has proven to be the most consistent. Dane has become a steady target for Pryor and his superior route running skills separate him from the rest of the Buckeye pack. These are the top two pass catchers from a year ago and that trend won't change. Taurian Washington continues to display playmaking skills every spring but that has never parlayed into the fall when it counts. The senior had thoughts of transferring last year due to his diminished role but decided to stay in Columbus and has now become the No. 3 receiver. Duron Carter is currently not with the team as he tries to correct some academic issues, but showed last season that he could be a valued member of the receiving corps. If Carter can return this fall he could easily be that third guy in the rotation as well. Tight ends on this squad have predominately been noted for their blocking skills. Incumbent Jake Stoneburner is hoping to change all that with some unique pass catching skills. He can help stretch this field and Pryor has been found this spring looking the tight end's way quite a bit. He still has to block but it's only a matter of time before the offense starts to use his hands. This receiving unit as a whole should never be a part of the worst rated passing attack in the conference. Don't expect the Buckeyes to finish last in this department again.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Every single starter returns to this unit. Over the past few seasons this offensive line has been extremely inconsistent. One moment they look like world-beaters and at other times they are far from it. On paper though, there is no team in the Big Ten that has this much line depth and talent. Whether or not the potential can become reality remains to be seen. But the feeling after spring ball is that this could be the year it all comes together. Center Mike Brewster is getting used to this system, which is obviously important as he makes the line calls. Both tackles J.B. Shugarts and Mike Adams are looking for their first healthy season. Coaches were hoping that Adams would step up this spring and take over the left tackle spot and he has seemed to accomplish this task looking slender and stronger. Bryant Browning is a former tackle that has emerged as one of the leaders after a very productive season at guard. At the other guard spot is NationalChamps.net Preseason All-American Justin Boren, the former Michigan transfer who is widely regarded as the best lineman on this team. His nasty reputation usually lives up to the billing. If champions are truly made up front, count Ohio State as the Big Ten Champion.

 

OG Justin Boren

 
OHIO STATE 2010 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Terrelle Pryor-Jr (6-6, 233) Joe Bauserman-Jr (6-1, 233)
FB Zach Boren-So (6-0, 252) Adam Homan-So (6-2, 238)
TB Brandon Saine-Sr (6-1, 219) Dan Herron-Jr (5-10, 202)
Jordan Hall-So (5-9, 195)
WR Devier Posey-Jr (6-2, 200) Taurian Washington-Sr (6-1, 181)
WR Dane Sanzenbacher-Sr (5-11, 180) Duron Carter-So (6-2, 198)
TE Jake Stoneburner-So (6-5, 245) Reid Fragel-So (6-8, 260)
OT Mike Adams-Jr (6-8, 300) Andy Miller-Sr (6-6, 288)
OG Justin Boren-Sr (6-3, 320) Connor Smith-Sr (6-4, 313)
C Mike Brewster-Jr (6-5, 293) Jack Mewhort-RFr (6-6, 288)
OG Bryant Browning-Sr (6-4, 313) Corey Linsley-RFr (6-2, 298)
OT J.B. Shugarts-Jr (6-7, 297) Marcus Hall-So (6-5, 321)
K Devin Barclay-Sr (5-10, 204) Ben Buchanan-So (6-0, 195)

 
2010 DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE

The losses are heavy here with Thad Gibson, Doug Worthington, Todd Denlinger, Robert Rose and Lawrence Wilson departing. One positive aspect to counter the problem is that depth is extremely abundant and defensive coordinator Jim Heacock has much to be excited about. This youthful bunch literally goes eight or nine deep and all of them have the ability to enter the game at any juncture. Although Gibson left early for the NFL, end Cameron Heyward's decision to pass up the potential to be a first round NFL Draft choice to return for his senior season gives this front the leadership boost needed. Heyward will be an unblockable force, maybe the best player in a scarlet and gray uniform. Nathan Williams will step in for Gibson on the other side at the LEO position where he has proven to be relentless with his pass rush. If he can draw more attention from opposing blockers as anticipated, the door for Gibson gets that much wider. If there was one player that made a major leap this spring it would be DT John Simon, who looks like he is poised to step right in and make the jump from being good to great, especially since he earned solid action as a true freshman last year. He now steps into a much bigger role with superior strength and he was consistently in the opposing backfield all spring. The other tackle Dexter Larimore was injured the middle of last season but the Buckeyes had enough depth to overcome the loss. He now has a more important role being a veteran with starting experience and needs to stay healthy.

LINEBACKER

In regards to household names OSU may not have a James Laurinaitis or an A.J. Hawk on this unit...yet. Ross Homan put up some lofty stats last season, which were more than good enough to land him on the NationalChamps.net Preseason All-America Team heading into the 2010 campaign. He is the leader of this defense and continues to make big plays as evident by the five interceptions recorded last fall. Homan is on the verge of a very memorable senior year. Brian Rolle returns as the starter in the middle. He still has some work to do when it comes to being in the right place and securing tackles. His backup Storm Klein is considered to be the next great linebacker down the road. Replacing Austin Spitler on the strong side will be Etienne Sabino who has the physical tools but is still trying to learn the mental aspects. If he cannot hold down the job, Andrew Sweat returns from knee surgery to push for playing time. Depth on this unit, like all other units, will give coaches plenty of options.

DEFENSIVE BACK

The heaviest losses on this defense will be at safety where both starters Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell are gone. The one with the most overall experience however is Jermale Hines where he played mostly the "star" position last fall. The knock on Hines at times has been with his coverage skills, which have seemed to improve this spring giving him a great chance to step in and become a more complete safety. Strong safety Orhian Johnson's freak athletic ability has given him a great chance to step in too and prove how much his game has improved. Despite being a first-time starter Johnson has proven to be one of the more vocal players in the secondary. Assuming he regains full health from his head injury, Tyler Moeller fits the "star" position perfectly...a player with speed and unique ability to lay the wood when tackling. Both Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence have secured the cornerback spots. Chekwa has mounds of athletic potential but there have been times where he has struggled. The coverage skills are solid but he has not been able to convert that into finding the ball and pulling down the interceptions. In his second year of starting more will be expected out of the talented senior. Torrence beat out Andre Amos last fall and has been a two-sport athlete between football and baseball in the past. His production has been slipping through the spring while his backup Donnie Evege has been seeing time on the other side while Chekwa sat out the spring with a nagging injury, which seemingly opens the door for competition.

 

LB Ross Homan

 
OHIO STATE 2010 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Nathan Williams-Jr (6-3, 260) Solomon Thomas-Jr (6-5, 226)
DT John Simon-So (6-2, 270) Adam Bellamy-RFr (6-4, 295)
DT Dexter Larimore-Sr (6-2, 310) Garrett Goebel-So (6-3, 281)
DE Cameron Heyward-Sr (6-5, 288) Melvin Fellows-RFr (6-5, 249)
SLB Etienne Sabino-Jr (6-3, 240) Andrew Sweat-Jr (6-2, 238)
MLB Brian Rolle-Sr (5-11, 218) Storm Klein-So (6-2, 230)
WLB Ross Homan-Sr (6-0, 227) Dorian Bell-RFr (6-1, 225)
CB Chimdi Chekwa-Sr (6-0, 190) Travis Howard-So (6-0, 190)
CB Devon Torrence-Sr (6-1, 200) Donnie Evege-Jr (5-11, 180)
SS Orhian Johnson-So (6-2, 203) Tyler Moeller-Sr (6-0, 210)
FS Jermale Hines-Sr (6-1, 216) Zach Domicone-So (6-3, 211)
P Ben Buchanan-So (6-0, 195) Derek Erwin-So (5-10, 203)

 

 
2010 SPECIAL TEAMS

Devin Barclay has been very accurate through last fall in limited opportunities and through the spring but has struggled when it comes to anything outside of 40 yards. Freshman Drew Basil has the strongest leg and will most likely handle kickoff duties and could also be called upon in situations that require a longer field goal attempt. There is little doubt as to who will handle the punting chores. Ben Buchanan has a leg up on the competition to replace Jon Thoma but still has much work to do in the consistency department before this can be considered an area of strength. The notion of utilizing both starting tailbacks as kick returners would not be considered the norm for most coaching staffs but the Buckeyes continue to do such. One of the return men from '09, Lamaar Thomas has transferred leaving both Saine and Herron as the main focus. Losing a guy like Ray Small as a punt return specialist hurts. During spring practice there never really seemed to a lock at punt return but it does look like they will stick with a veteran wide receiver in Posey heading into fall camp.