2008 Buckeye Football Season

[calibuck]

Saturday, actually heard an announcer mention what a terrific team OSU can have next year with only one senior on offense (Barton) and only one senior on defense (Grant). Everyone will be eligible to come back. By golly he's right. Not to short-change the current year Buckeyes, but with what the Buckeyes have coming back, wow. They should be top-rated next year. So that makes 10 starters on offense and 10 starters on defense, plus all of the special teamers, PLUS a pretty elegant recruiting class coming in (even if Pryor and Hale decide to matriculate elsewhere).

I realize that maybe Gholston, Laurinitis (sp), and Jenkins might turn in their unis early and go to the pay-for-pay league, but if all three stay (and it looks like they are all having barn-burning years), the imagination soars. With the experience and growth of the current starters, they should be pretty cohesive next year, only Wisconsin that I see, maybe Penn State, to challenge. Michigan loses a ton of talent. LSU and USC will have plenty coming back also, and Florida as well. But I really can see OSU starting out the season as #1. Wow, in seven years, Tressel will have won one NC, played in another, and possibly play for a third in 2008. When will they start the statue?

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by calibuck

I realize that maybe Gholston, Laurinitis (sp), and Jenkins might turn in their unis early and go to the pay-for-pay league

Color all three gone...

[BuckeyeTillIDie]

You never know, they may want to show some pride and avenge the Fiesta Bowl loss. Also, the marquee match-up vs USC may draw them back. All the juniors stayed after 2002, we're due at some point.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Gone...all three.

[billmac91]

many will call me crazy, but this is the year to win a chmapionship......this is our best D since 2002, and if Defense wins championships, this is our year

Jenkins is def gone, Gholston is prob gone, and Laurinitis is prob gone as well....It won't be easy to replace those guys next year, and this D has the potential to stop every opponent it faces, and the O is solid enough to produce

I don't see why we shouldn't be expecting this year to be a championship run

[bukIpower]

I personally think either Gholston or Animal stays but thats jus me. I think Jenkins is GONE and he should be gone because he's the best corner in the nation and its not even close. I like the Animal a whole lot but this is his first year of truely being off the charts and it'll get him first round but maybe high first round. I think Gholston will go late first too... Who knows maybe we'll get them all to stay but probably not..

Even so look at the replacements....

Spitler or Homan for James- While there will be a drop off no matter who fills who's shoes I like both of our potential back-ups. Couple Spitler with Homan and Freeman and you still have a top 5 linebacking crew.

Wilson for Gholston- Well Wilson was a starter this year so expect Rob Rose/Hayeward to stay the same with Wilson filling in for Gholston. There will be some drop off in run defense but not much in the pass defense. We're in a great shape again with our back up.

Chekwa for Jenkins- I love the way #5 is playing right now for us on defense and while he won't be shut down like Jenkins he's got the potential to be a great DB. Also don't count out Clifford and the rest the DB's!

It doesn't matter who we get to return IMO. We still have all the peices in place to be a very dominant team on both offense and defense.

Next years offense should be a fun bunch to watch thats for sure...

[OregonBuckeye]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

Color all three gone...

I'll give you your props for calling Anthony Gonzalez last year and while I thought Laurinaitis was all but gone I read some encouraging comments from his dad that didn't seem forced. I dunno, could be wishful thinking but I'm hoping Laurinaitis is leaning towards staying.

[ScarletStorms]

If Laurinaitis is projected to go in the first round he should go. I think that's a lock. And you can bet that Tressel will encourage him to move on if he is ready.

[daddyphatsacs]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

Color all three gone...

Agreed. The only thing that has me questioning the Animal is the fact that his dad has a lot of money, so the cash in the NFL isn't as big of an issue to him. Perhaps he'll shock us all and stick around. Regardless, I am going to enjoy the ride right now and let the cards fall however they may next April.

[OSUBuckeye4Life]

Even if they do go the D should be great next year as well.

Rose - Denlinger - Worthington - Wilson
Freeman - Spitler - Homan
Washington - Coleman - Russel - Chekwa


-Heyward may push for the starting DE spot
- If Terry RS I expect him to start at SLB
- Amos could push for a starting CB spot
- Clifford would be my pick for nickel next year

[ScriptOhio]

I think there is some real potential to do some great things this year. Maybe not the BCS Championship game, but I feel that this game is a real possibility:

[BuckeyeBullet]

AJ Hawk stayed for his senior year so I could definitely see Laurinaitis staying for his. In my opinion AJ was better in his junior year than Laurinaitis is in his current junior year and also AJ is basically his mentor so he might just follow his mentors steps and come back for another go around. I really don't see him as a lock to declare for the draft right now.

[Dryden]

Jenkins is gone. Laurinaitis, I think, will come back. Gholston ... flip a coin.

[BrutusBobcat]

Back to back national champions. Start believing now, before it's cool.

[bukIpower]

oh I believe right now as well... I think there's not ONE team on this schedule today that is even a threat as far as over all talent. We'll own every team in talent alone, but I can't say how we'll play against Michigan. Michigan should be pretty fired up and I believe we'll be 11-0 playing against the 8-3 Wolverines. They should have revenge factor going as well.. But of course we'll win because our defense isn't inept of stopping teams with talent.