[BB73]

An early look at the conference for 2008.

All teams are reviewed, I've only copied in tOSU.

cfn

2008 Big Ten Team Lookaheads


Ohio StateWhy to get excited: Don't let the haters (sorry for using that term, but it fits) ruin the facts; this really might be the best team in America going into 2008. DE Vernon Gholston is gone, but the return of LB James Laurinaitis and CB Malcolm Jenkins, when they would've been drafted in the top 15 had they left early, all of a sudden means the defense should be among the best in the nation again. The offense gets nine starters back including all the top players other than OT Kirk Barton. If that wasn't enough, PK Ryan Pretorius and P A.J. Trapasso might be the best kicking combo around.
Why to be grouchy: Fine, so you still don't want the Buckeyes anywhere near your national championship after the way the last two seasons ended. If they get there, they'll have certainly earned it more than they did in 2007 with road games at USC, Wisconsin and Illinois. The overall speed, athleticism, and NFL talent is in place. So why the problems against Florida and LSU? OSU was every bit as good as those two, so the coaching staff has to figure out what's going wrong at the highest of the high levels.
The number one thing to work on is: The psyche. If the team gets its head on straight, this could be a jaw-dropping dominator from the start. However, you don't take the beating in two straight title games, in the press, and in the court of public opinion, without having a sense of self-doubt start to creep in. Having a glass is half-full attitude, the team played for the national title in three of the past six years. Jim Tressel and the boys must be doing something right.
Biggest offensive loss: OT Kirk Barton
Biggest defensive loss: DE Vernon Gholston
Best returning offensive player: RB Beanie Wells, Jr.
Best returning defensive player: LB James Laurinaitis, Sr. & CB Malcolm Jenkins, Sr.

Cont'd ...