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AirForceBuck · #**2405** (**permalink**) 08-03-2006, 04:04 PM

Rivals

Playmakers make Buckeyes the Big Ten Favorite

CHICAGO – Horseshoes are said to bring luck, and the Ohio State Buckeyes have had good fortune at The Big Horseshoe.

The locals are so accustomed to counting down football victories at Ohio Stadium that the zip code is 43210.

Ohio State doesn't lose often, and it's rare for the Buckeyes to fall at home. In the 84-year history of The Big Horseshoe, the Buckeyes have a record of 366-104-20. In coach Jim Tressel's five-year regime they are 30-4.

That awesome home field advantage is just one of many reasons why the Buckeyes figure to successfully defend their share of the Big Ten championship this football season. After all, two of their primary challengers – Penn State and Michigan – must venture into the 'Shoe.

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</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right>Associated Press</TD></TR><TR><TD height=3>

</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>Ted Ginn is a weapon unlike just about any other in the Big Ten.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>However, that's not the only reason Ohio State has been given the pole position in the Big Ten race - and maybe even in the national championship picture. Critics and competitors point to elusive quarterback Troy Smith as the element that sets the Buckeyes apart.

"That guy taking the snap is a good football player," Illinois coach Ron Zook said of Smith. "Maybe 10, 15 years ago you didn't have to have a great quarterback to win it all, but I think the game has drifted now in college where you have to have a quarterback.

"Ohio State has a guy that can make something happen throwing the football or running. Anytime you've got a quarterback like that you've got a chance."

Penn State coach Joe Paterno agreed.
"He's a great athlete and a couple of guys around him ain't bad," Paterno said. "(Receiver Ted) Ginn ain't bad.

Defensive backs are always saying I can cover this guy or that guy, but nobody says I want to cover Ginn."

Yet for all of Ohio State's offensive horsepower there remains a measure of doubt about the Buckeyes. The OSU defense lost nine starters with NFL caliber talent off last season's 10-2 team. That raises at least some questions about the legitimacy of anointing Ohio State as the No. 1 team in the nation.

"I think it's encouraging people think highly about Ohio State," Tressel said. "Granted, we have to replace a lot of good folks (on defense) and we've been working hard to do that since January began. That will be a great challenge for us, but the positive thing for us is where we are experienced is up front. When you're solid up front it certainly helps the growth of your linebacker corps."

If the Buckeyes should falter there are as many as five teams with realistic shots of claiming the Big Ten crown. Michigan is one of those teams despite its 2005 record of 7-5, a disappointment by Big Blue standards. 
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=300 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; PADDING-TOP: 4px" bgColor=#896d45>The Rivals Five </TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; PADDING-TOP: 4px" bgColor=#dbcfc7>Here's a list of five streaks that Big Ten teams will bring into this season: </TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; PADDING-TOP: 4px" bgColor=#ebe6e3>Ohio State victories: The Buckeyes closed the season with seven consecutive victories, including a Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame. They also have four victories over Michigan in five years. </TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; PADDING-TOP: 4px" bgColor=#dbcfc7>Northwestern's six-win seasons: The Wildcats, which endured 23 consecutive losing seasons from 1972 to 1994, has won at least six games the last three years. If they manage at least a half dozen this season it will mark their first four-year run since 1905. </TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; PADDING-TOP: 4px" bgColor=#ebe6e3>Minnesota's 1,000-yard running backs: The Gophers have had at least one 1,000-yard rusher in each of the last seven seasons. That's the longest current streak in the Big Ten. Junior Amir Pinnix, who rushed for 467 yards in 2005, will be the most likely candidate to continue the streak. </TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; PADDING-TOP: 4px" bgColor=#dbcfc7>Big crowds at the Big House: Michigan enters the season with 193 consecutive games with at least 100,000 fans in attendance at Michigan Stadium. With seven home games that streak should reach 200 this season. </TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; PADDING-TOP: 4px" bgColor=#ebe6e3>Wolverines bowl trips: Michigan has made 31 consecutive bowl appearances, the nation's longest active streak. Ohio State has the conference's second longest active streak with six. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

"I'm very excited about this Michigan team," Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr said. "We have an excellent nucleus of returning players offensively, defensively and in the kicking game. We've had a great offseason, with the only disappointment being the loss of Antonio Bass in the spring. With that exception we go into fall practice healthy."

The Wolverines have some unsettled issues in the offensive line, but junior quarterback Chad Henne has two solid years under his belt, the receivers are good and running back Mike Hart is healthy after limping through last season.

The Wolverines should be even better defensively with a wealth of experience and talent on that side of the ball.

Penn State is also solid defensively, with perhaps the nation's best group of linebackers in Paul Posluszny, Dan Connor and Tim Shaw. But the Lions must replace the dynamic Michael Robinson at quarterback with Anthony Morelli, more of a classic drop-back passer.

"I think we've got a good quarterback," Paterno said. "But I think the league has a lot of outstanding quarterbacks. We just have to have patience with the guy we have. I'm comfortable with the potential he has."

Iowa will also be a factor with a solid defense and quarterback Drew Tate and running back Albert Young, although the Hawkeyes' receivers are largely unproven.

Michigan State has one of the nation's premier quarterbacks in Drew Stanton and offensive talent around him, but the Spartans need a tremendous upgrade on defense to contend after back-to-back seasons with just five wins.

"I see this as a league you have to be able to play defense in," Michigan State coach John L. Smith said. "And even though we throw it, it's a league you have to be able to run at some point to win."
It's also a league that often requires a little bit of luck to win, and Ohio State usually has plenty of that, especially in the horseshoe.