2011-2012 Football Previews – Big 10 Conference – Ohio State Buckeyes
No team has been in the news more than Ohio State in the past offseason, and in this case that isn’t a good thing at all. Rewind back to last December and the Ohio State Buckeyes were flying high with an 11-1 record.
Big Ten Conference 2011-2012 Football Previews: Ohio St. Buckeyes
Head Coach: Luke Fickell
2010 Record: 12-1
Ohio State Gambling Odds from JustBet to win BCS: +2,000
Ohio State Odds from JustBet to win Big Ten Leaders Division: +115
Ohio State Odds from JustBet to win Big Ten Conference Championship: +370
OSU Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
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The Buckeyes were bound for the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, but before they got there the whole Tatoo-Gate mess got started.
The Buckeyes did go on to beat Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl, but the ensuing months proved to be the worst in years for this proud program.
Jim Tressel was seen as one of the best coaches in the nation, and he was beloved by most Buckeye fans, but he is no longer the head of the program. Tressel got this program in a lot of hot water, and it is still unclear what kind of repercussions there will be for everyone involved. Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that Ohio State has been knocked back on its heels.
Amid all of the controversy, there is still football to be played. Luke Fickell, who starred as a defensive lineman for the Buckeyes in the mid 1990’s, will now be leading the team moving forward.
Team Strengths:
The Buckeyes are stacked along the defensive line. John Simon broke out in a big way last year in the middle of the line, and Johnathan Hankins appears set to break out this year. Senior Nathan Williams is one of the better defensive ends in the conference, and he can get after the opposing quarterback.
This is a group that should be able to dominate most offensive fronts.
Ohio State is also very strong across the offensive line. Michael Brewster might be the best center in the nation. Brewster has been a team leader the last couple years, and I expect him to be even more vocal this season. Mike Adams is another star in the making, but he’ll miss the first five games.
J.B. Shugarts and Marcus Hall also have the skills to become powerhouses on the front line.
While Dan Herron will miss the first five games because of the Tatoo-Gate suspension, the Buckeyes have an abundance of talent in the backfield. I expect Jamaal Berry, Jordan Hall, Rod Smith, and Carlos Hyde to all show their talents while Herron is out.
Don’t be surprised if Ohio State uses three or four different running backs frequently during the entire season.
You’d be hard pressed to find a team with more depth at the tailback spot.
Team Weaknesses:
Ohio State isn’t sure who will be under center when the season starts. Terrelle Pryor was a star at the school, but he was in the middle of all the problems, and he is no longer part of the picture. Joe Bauserman is the senior who some believe may get the starting nod to begin the season, but I expect Braxton Miller to end up under center as the season moves along. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Can the Buckeyes get consistent play from this key position?
The Buckeyes are usually loaded with talent at the wide receiver position, but that unit will be a problem in 2011. DeVier Posey is a star on the outside, but he’ll miss the first four games.
The Buckeyes will need young guys like Corey Brown and Chris Fields to step up and make some significant contributions.
2011-2012 Ohio State Football Prediction: 9-4
The predictions regarding Ohio State’s projected record in 2011 have been all over the map. Some people seem to think that Ohio State’s issues will hurt them so badly that they’ll struggle to finish at .500. Others believe this Buckeye team is too talented to drop off much at all.
I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle. The Buckeyes non-conference schedule includes a couple of mid-majors and a trip to Miami as well as a home date with Colorado. The trip to Lincoln on October 8 will definitely be one to watch.
I think Ohio State takes a step backward this year, but this team has too much talent to not win eight or nine games.
2011 Ohio St. Buckeyes Schedule
9/3/11 12:00 PM ET AKR
9/10/11 12:00 PM ET TOL
9/17/11 12:00 PM ET @MIAMI
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET COL
10/1/11 12:00 PM ET MCHST
10/8/11 8:00 PM ET @NEB
10/15/11 12:00 PM ET @ILL
10/29/11 8:00 PM ET WISC
11/5/11 12:00 PM ET IND
11/12/11 12:00 PM ET @PURD
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET PENST
11/26/11 12:00 PM ET @MICH
