2009 Team Rumblings

[bukIpower]

I am with you Iron. While I believe OSU will have a great season to be a realist there are a TON of questions. If I was an impartial writer/voter I look at Ohio State and see No RB, No WR (if Hartline leaves) Stud LB & Stud CB GONE. And if Washington leaves than we have to replace both starting CBs. That is alot to replace and to be in the Top 10. Yes Ohio State reloads but reloading with our recent media hate means we get a #11-#15 ranking to start next season.

Then on to smithlabs post. It really doesn't matter where we are ranked in the preseason. Beat USC and we shoot up the rankings and back into the Top 5 and challenging for the National Title. It is as simple as that.

Questions? Yes. Alot? No.

If Washington leaves then actually Chekwa started this year so regaurdless we'll return 3 starters in the secondary. Both lines will be strong points, and as far as having questions at RB/WR. With an improved offensive line (especially atheltically), and a improved Terrelle Pryor the passing game no matter WHO is out there is going to be better. The secondary as a whole if Washington Returns will be better than this years. If he doesn't return then I think we'll be just about as good as this years.

Sure it would be nice to get Hartline back because it would give us a returning starter, but considering the offensive output out passing game had this year I would think we'll actually improve drastically.

RB- sure losing beanie hurts, but it sure doesn't hurt that Boom had a lot of good minutes this year. Not only did Boom get time when Beanie went down, but he also played WELL in relief. Also I'm not saying our running backs will be better, but I think the running backs we have now may complement TP better.

At linebacker- This is where our biggest drop off may occur. However, when you have a front four like ours it should help the transition. Plus plugging a guy like Sabino in there sure helps too.



Also, it is just as easy as this... Beat USC, and we'll put ourselves in great position once agian in 2009.

[Onebuckfan]

We have lost great players, 2009 is totally different I kind of like our situation. Most of the starting jobs are up for grabs..playing time will be dependent on performance in practice. There will be a sense of urgency for playing time this year as well as setting a tone for practice. It seemed last year there was some complacency, all the starters coming back were put in the mindset of defending something. 2009's team can be in the mindset of going out and earn there own titles and legacy. Will they be as successful who knows but the unknowns on this team will bring some differnt excitement to a situation that Might and I say might have grown a little stale. The coaching staff and seniors may have been too familiar with each other. Obviously 2008 did not follow the script JT and the Captains had planned, this year provides opportunities for players and coaches to perform and quiet the critics who were expecting more in 2008. Now if things seem to unravel this year then JT may have to shake things up

[Buckeneye]

Originally Posted by bukIpower

Beat USC, and we'll put ourselves in great position once agian in 2009.

That won't be as easy as some think, especially when...

USC's Taylor Mays to stay for senior season - ESPN


so... yeah.

[sandgk]

Originally Posted by Buckeneye

That won't be as easy as some think, especially when...

USC's Taylor Mays to stay for senior season - ESPN


so... yeah.

Wow - that is a surprise Mays was a sure 1st round pick.

Sounds like he wants to do this for the best of reasons though - which, to bring full circle back to thread, means the Buckeyes would beat a stronger 'SC team in '09 than previously expected.

[TheIronColonel]

I find it ironic that Ohio State just had 2 sure-fire first round picks come back for their senior years, yet we're shocked when Mays decides to stay for his. It's a funny world.

[Rookie]

Originally Posted by TheIronColonel

I find it ironic that Ohio State just had 2 sure-fire first round picks come back for their senior years, yet we're shocked when Mays decides to stay for his. It's a funny world.

I was shocked when JL and MJ came back. So, I have no clue why people shouldn't be shocked considering the amount of money he gave up.

[Buckeneye]

So, just peaking ahead to next year's schedule, I kinda like in terms of SOS.

We open with a Div-1 Navy who's been solid the past few years.
Then a top 5 USC. If we win we get a break with Toledo
Depending on the running and defense situation, we might see a ranked Illinois
It'll be nice to play Indiana again, havent since... 2006? Though they'll be sub .500 by year's end.

Wisky comes to the Shoe - if Clay is running well and their QB problems settle at least they'll be bowl bound, I doubt ranked.

Purdue - 4 wins maybe 5 next year...

A much improved Minny who could be in a New Years Day Bowl...

New Mexico State at home for our last OOC

State Penn on the road, a win here would be huge especially if their in the top 10/15

Iowa - Minus Shonn Greene, not so sure they'll any good next year.

Then M*chigan - at least they might get 4-5 wins in 2009.

I'm rather upset about not playing NU. They could be a top 20 team come November. I would have loved playing them instead of New Mexico, that would have been another boost in the computers.


Doesn't look to shabby next year.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Navy - Fairly easy win
Southern Cal - Sanchez and a lot of their defense gone...we have a good shot (60/40)
Toledo - Neutral site game...fairly close win
Illinois - The Illini shot their wad in 2006...we revert to blowing them out
Indiana - We take over their stadium as always...pull away late for big win
Wisconsin - Second toughest home game on the docket...close win
Purdue - Although it shouldn't, this game has be a tad nervous...close win
Minnesota - We own Minnesota like no other Big Ten team...solid win
New Mexico State - Potential trap game before PSU...still think a big win
Penn State University - Their defense decimated by departures...we roll at night
Iowa - The Hawkeyes were playing great ball at season's end...close win
Michigan - DickRod...need I say more?

I'm expecting an 11-1 season (either lose to USC or maybe trip up when we shouldn't).

[Jaxbuck]

Originally Posted by Buckeneye

So, just peaking ahead to next year's schedule, I kinda like in terms of SOS.

We open with a Div-1 Navy who's been solid the past few years.
Then a top 5 USC. If we win we get a break with Toledo
Depending on the running and defense situation, we might see a ranked Illinois
It'll be nice to play Indiana again, havent since... 2006? Though they'll be sub .500 by year's end.

Wisky comes to the Shoe - if Clay is running well and their QB problems settle at least they'll be bowl bound, I doubt ranked.

Purdue - 4 wins maybe 5 next year...

A much improved Minny who could be in a New Years Day Bowl...

New Mexico State at home for our last OOC

State Penn on the road, a win here would be huge especially if their in the top 10/15

Iowa - Minus Shonn Greene, not so sure they'll any good next year.

Then M*chigan - at least they might get 4-5 wins in 2009.

I'm rather upset about not playing NU. They could be a top 20 team come November. I would have loved playing them instead of New Mexico, that would have been another boost in the computers.


Doesn't look to shabby next year.

I'll believe they are a good team when I see it. I'm just not sold on them.

[Sportsbuck28]

I'm concerned about the Illinois game.

[sepia5]

Originally Posted by sandgk

Wow - that is a surprise Mays was a sure 1st round pick.

Sounds like he wants to do this for the best of reasons though - which, to bring full circle back to thread, means the Buckeyes would beat a stronger 'SC team in '09 than previously expected.

I think Mays felt like even first round money wouldn't be adequate to pay all the fines he's sure to accrue in the NFL.

[TheIronColonel]

Originally Posted by Sportsbuck28

I'm concerned about the Illinois game.

Why? Does Illinois have a shot?

[sepia5]

Originally Posted by bukIpower

Questions? Yes. Alot? No.

If Washington leaves then actually Chekwa started this year so regaurdless we'll return 3 starters in the secondary. Both lines will be strong points, and as far as having questions at RB/WR. With an improved offensive line (especially atheltically), and a improved Terrelle Pryor the passing game no matter WHO is out there is going to be better. The secondary as a whole if Washington Returns will be better than this years. If he doesn't return then I think we'll be just about as good as this years.

Sure it would be nice to get Hartline back because it would give us a returning starter, but considering the offensive output out passing game had this year I would think we'll actually improve drastically.

RB- sure losing beanie hurts, but it sure doesn't hurt that Boom had a lot of good minutes this year. Not only did Boom get time when Beanie went down, but he also played WELL in relief. Also I'm not saying our running backs will be better, but I think the running backs we have now may complement TP better.

At linebacker- This is where our biggest drop off may occur. However, when you have a front four like ours it should help the transition. Plus plugging a guy like Sabino in there sure helps too.



Also, it is just as easy as this... Beat USC, and we'll put ourselves in great position once agian in 2009.

I can't agree with the bolded portion. Jenkins was probably the best corner I've seen at tOSU since Springs. We've had a long line of great corners between as well (guys line Winfield, Gamble, and Plummer). We've effectively been able to pretty much take away one side of the field for most of my OSU-watching life. I don't know if that will be the case next season even if D-Wash comes back (and even if he does, one has to wonder how much he'll actually be on the field given his, shall we say, past issues). I like the way Russell and Coleman are progressing, but losing Malcolm is huge, IMO, especially in light of our other losses in the secondary in the recent past. And if D-Wash doesn't return, who are we starting on the other side? Evege? Howard? Amos? A frosh like Brown? Even if you could conceivably move Coleman to a CB spot and start Hines at the other safety spot (which I personally don't necessarily think is a good idea), what does that do to your two-deep? This year's secondary was very strong, IMO, and the CB spot is the only thing that worries me about next year's D.