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SCOUTING THE BIG TEN | First in an 11-part series
Ohio State: Champs will feature plenty of new faces
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Ohio State will have to find a replacement for a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, and coach Jim Tressel said he probably won't settle on a starter until he sees all three candidates under fire during the season.
The Buckeyes also have just nine returning starters, the fewest in the Big Ten.
Extras
But while the team will go into the year with players in key positions who are largely unknown, Tressel doesn't expect them to remain that way for long.
"We're going to have some kids who are going to step up," he said. "I've liked what I've seen out of (running back) Chris Wells and (receivers) Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie. Someone is going to emerge as the quarterback. Defensively, there will be guys who will make plays. We have talented kids."
Numbers game
4 — Top-four finishes for Ohio State in the final polls in the past five years. OSU likely won't be ranked that high to start this season.
80 — Points allowed in the final two games in 2006 (Michigan win, Florida loss), compared to just 86 given up in the first 11 games.
0 — Outright Big Ten championships for Ohio State from 1985-2005, a streak that ended with last year's undisputed league crown.
| Schedule | |||
| Date | Opponent | TV | Time |
| Sept. 1 | Youngstown St. | BTN | noon |
| Sept. 8 | Akron | BTN | noon |
| Sept. 15 | at Washington | ESPN | 3:30 pm |
| Sept. 22 | Northwestern * | TBA | |
| Sept. 29 | at Minnesota * | 8 p.m. | |
| Oct. 6 | at Purdue * | 8 p.m. | |
| Oct. 13 | Kent State | TBA | |
| Oct. 20 | Michigan State * | ABC | 3:30 pm |
| Oct. 27 | at Penn State * | 8 p.m. | |
| Nov. 3 | Wisconsin * | TBA | |
| Nov. 10 | Illinois * | TBA | |
| Nov. 17 | at Michigan * | TBA | |
| * Big Ten game | |||
Buckeyes at a glance — adjusting, rebuilding
2006: 12-1, 8-0 Big Ten (1st)
Last five years: 55-9 overall,
33-7 Big Ten
Last bowl: Lost to Florida, 41-14, in 2007 BCS championship game
Coach: Jim Tressel (197-71-2 in 21 years; 62-14 in 6 years at OSU)
Starters returning: 4 on offense,
5 on defense
Three playmakers: RB Chris Wells (576 yards, 5.5 average, 7 TDs); LB James Laurinaitis (115 tackles, 5 INTs); DE Vernon Gholston (15 TFL, 8.5 sacks).
Positive vibes: Tressel has a reputation for being more conservative than a Fox News talking head, but he deserves credit for adapting to his personnel. When he had a Heisman winner at QB and two future NFL first-rounders at receiver, he aired it out. And with budding star Chris Wells at tailback this season and unproven players at other skill positions, Tressel probably will revive the methodical style that led to a 2002 national title. OSU has the punter and kicker to make those field-position tussles work.
Negative vibes: The Buckeyes have a fleet of nimble linebackers, including three or four backups who are nearly as good as the starters. But the defensive line will need to draw enough blockers to allow James Laurinaitis and his mates to roam free. Defensive end Vernon Gholston is a brute, but the rest of the front four will be manned by newcomers. The Buckeyes are in a rebuilding mode, much like they were in 2004. They started 3-3 that season before finishing 8-4.
Coming Monday: Illinois
