Ohio Spring Practice Begins: March 26 Game: April 21 The early spring buzz ... Ohio wants to win and it wants to win now. Head coach Frank Solich only brought in four JUCO transfers, but they're all expected to plug holes and see be involved from day one. The program isn't big on going the JUCO route, but it had to or else risk falling behind further and further in the improving East. Boo Jackson was a JUCO All-America quarterback, Hilton Dawson is a ready-made free safety, Patrick Tafua is a playmaker ready to make an impact, and DT Corey Moncrief will be around for spring practices and has to take over one of the vacated spots.
The big spring question is ... Can the offense go on without Kalvin McRae? The great back carried the offense throughout the last few years with the passing game hitched along for the ride. The air attack improved by leaps and bounds last year, and was far more efficient than it was in 2006, but it was still McRae's offense when things got tight. Now it'll be up to the quarterbacks to make more plays, and it'll be vital to find new rushing options this spring. The most important position to watch is ... Quarterback. Brad Bower had a nice season, but he started to get shoved aside late in the year. Theo Scott got more and more time, but he's hardly a lock to take over the No. 1 spot with Boo Jackson a top dual-threat playmaker who didn't come to Athens to sit on the bench. Brandon Jones and Josh Febus are likely fighting for the No. 3 job with the odd man out likely to go elsewhere. Spring attitude... East title or bust. Everyone in the East has an honest shot of winning the title, but Ohio has been the division's best team over the last two years and is loaded for another big run. The problem spots appear to have been solved by the recruiting class, while several positions are loaded with solid veterans.
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