[2 - POST-SPRING GAME] How many games will the Buckeyes win in 2004?

[Clarity]

Just like the first time I asked, the question is how many games do you think the 2004 squad will win?

The point of this is to really think about your perspective now, relative to your perspective when I asked before. If it's different, why? Was it something in the Spring game? Worried that no QB has stepped forward and grabbed the competition by the horns the way they have at other schools this Spring? Maybe you saw the running game look rough, outside of an early entry freshman, and all the talk about addition by subtraction on the OL is starting to sound a little suspect. Maybe special teams is scaring the hell out of you.

On the other hand, maybe you saw real promise. A squad that lost 3/4 of its starters on both lines, 2 starting LBs, a starting CB, a starting S, one of the most successful (not necessarily one of the most gifted) starting QBs it's had behind the wheel, its RBs coach, a starting TE, 2 of its top WRs -- well you get the point. But despite that, you see talent stepping in that may have the potential to be even better. Instead of seeing the 2 TD passes Zwick overthrew, maybe you saw his effectiveness elsewhere. Or knowing that Smith couldn't play to his real strength without the white jersey, saw flashes in him when he was opened up, despite it being too little, too late.

I'm not looking to spoonfeed thought process, just provoke it. If your views have changed, explain why. If they haven't that might be something to explain too. Either way, it will be interesting to see how perspectives continue to shift as the Fall approaches. Think of it as an online time capsule.

--edit--
FWIW, I'm shifting from 11-1 to 10-2. Almost solely because of special teams. I believe they'll be cleaned up and entirely functional at a high level by the time the season rolls around, just because it's such a major part of JT's game plan. I'm just not feeling it yet. Hoping to take this back up to 11-1 before the season starts. You know, because my perspective actually dictates how the team does... :crazy:

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

I still feel good with 11-1, I never put much stock into the spring game, we will be back in the hunt for the national title.

:osu:

 

[daddyphatsacs]

As long as Jim Tressel is at the helm, and we continue to recruit talent, we will be in the national title hunt. 11-1 seems pretty realistic right now.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

I'm also sticking with 11-1. The spring game is always both an indicator and a deceiver. No doubt in my mind that both Zwick and Smith will get better as practices continue--which seemed to be the biggest concern of the game--and Boeckman's performance was a nice surprise. Tressel and crew are good at finding and fixing problems and making needed adjustments. If the OL continues to improve, there's no reason not to expect us to be the favorite in every game this year, especially if the defense turns out to be as good as its potential.

 

[Buckeyehead]

The Spring Game doesn't influence my prediction in any way, shape or form.

To quote Allen Iverson: we're talking about practice.

I said 11-1, and if I had to choose which "1" it would be, I'd say Purdue and really hope I'm wrong. Going into there unbeaten, and losing, would suck big time.

 

[buckiprof]

I didn't vote in the 1st poll, but after the Spring Game I'm going with 11-1. What I took from the Spring Game was that the defense could be unbelievable this year, better than last year or the year before.

I too have concerns about special teams particularly the punting game. We have been spoiled in recent years with our punters, so some drop-off may be expected, but what we have seen so far is cause for concern. Since JT rightfully acknowledges this phase of the game as being quite important, I trust that by fall, it will be much improved. I hope it is at the level of the past 2 years, but I do not expect that.

 

[MightbeaBuck]

You forgot to list the Recruiting Coordinator as one of the loses this year. Though his role as tight end coach will probably be filled nicely, his recruiting won't affect the team for at least a year.

I believe that the Buckeyes will go 11-1, but if I had to hedge, it would be to go 10-2, not 12-0. The way I see it is that out of 24 starters (11 offense, 11 defense, 2 special teams), the team lost 14 players to the draft. That leaves ten players not drafted.

These ten players are either 1.) good enough to have been starters last year and are returning this year, or 2.) they weren't good enough to be drafted and so we are getting rid of these lesser players (though they would be stars on middle tier teams).

This may sound bad, but it is very similar to what the team was like two years ago, losing the remnants of John Cooper's last starting team, and the End of the World as we know it was about to happen. And it did, unlike anything we realistically thought possible, the Buckeyes beat the Hurricanes!

It may be at least a little similar, but we are in much better shape than we were at the start of that season, so I am very optimistic

 

[LordJeffBuck]

Call me Mr. Negative - I picked 9-3 before the Spring Game and the NFL Draft. The Spring Game failed to produce a clear favorite at QB or RB; and 14 former Bucks were drafted into the NFL (plus 2 free agents and MoC) - that's an awful lot of talent to replace. The defense should be fine, but the offense could be in trouble (even if a QB and RB emerge, what will the line be like?). With all of the question marks, I reduced my prediction to 8-4. Now before anybody blasts me, I hope that I'm wrong - If the Bucks win 11 or 12 games this year, please feel free to remind me of my prediction next January.

EDIT: I'm looking for greatness in 2005 - could be another NC year.

 

[BuckeyeSoldier]

Maybe most of the logic points the other way but I dont think i have been this excited in a team in a long time, this team reminds me of the ones i get excited about playing with on ncaa 2004, they arent all established guys that you KNOW are gonna win everygame, but there is SOOOOO much potential its just fun to watch. i think this year could be something special, i truly believe we could be witnessing the younger version of what may eventually be named the most talented team tOSU has EVER produced i pray to god that i can find some sort of internet site that will air the games lives so i can see them all, if not i may go insane over here..

i have no reason to think this way but i have a good feeling about our running game, i have never been too much of a fan of Ross, but i expect him to step up and all of these young guys playing on offense to come otu with a chip on their shoulder and really do something special, i dont think we will be as solid as the last couple years but i think the explosiveness on both sides of the ball will make up for it... and make it one VERY exciting season..
I am thinking 11-1 and a possible NC, i am only taking away from 12-0 before on a pure gut feeling that these guys arent perfect, just amazing.. besides we need a lil poll contraversy too

 

[Carmen Ohio]

Undefeated

... and beginning a dynasty. I think we'll have a few close games because of inexperience... at NC State and at Purdue, but we clearly have the talent to beat every one on our schedule. I see this year's defense as better than the past two years because of it's improved, yes improved speed and apparent ability to create turnovers and actually score. The offense may sputter at times but there is no way it can be worse than the past couple of years.

 

[MightbeaBuck]

Carmen Ohio,"...at NC State and at Purdue,..."

BuckeyeHead,"...if I had to choose which "1" it would be, I'd say Purdue..."

Carmen & BuckeyeHead, (or whomever has the answer)
Although we just beat Purdue by the skin of our <...>, we did beat them last year. Now they have to replace their entire defense, along with some of their offense. Or did you mean the inexperience of Purdue? I see several other games giving us much bigger problems, but it seems that many posters pick Purdue as one of our sore spots. Could someone tell me why?

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

MightbeaBuck: I've said our loss (if we do lose) will be on the road. While NC State seems like the most likely landmine, I still feel that Purdue will play us tough at their place. Regardless of their personnel losses, I think they'll be tough to beat.

 

[Carmen Ohio]

Carmen Ohio,"...at NC State and at Purdue,..."

BuckeyeHead,"...if I had to choose which "1" it would be, I'd say Purdue..."

Carmen & BuckeyeHead, (or whomever has the answer)
Although we just beat Purdue by the skin of our <...>, we did beat them last year. Now they have to replace their entire defense, along with some of their offense. Or did you mean the inexperience of Purdue? I see several other games giving us much bigger problems, but it seems that many posters pick Purdue as one of our sore spots. Could someone tell me why?

We actually barely beat them twice in the past 2 years: "Touchdown! Touchdown! Michael Jenkins!!!"... in a game we probably should have lost. Kyle Orton could be the most experienced and craftiest quarterback in the Big Ten this year. He'll find a way to keep them close. By the time we play them their defense will no longer be "inexperienced" .. it will be as experienced as most of the guys on our offense. It could be interesting since we're playing there and the crowd will be in it. We just appear to be so much more talented I can't see us losing... maybe close, but not losing.

 

[KillerNut]

It could easily be 12-0, but to be a realist I think 11-1 makes pretty good sense. I just can't see a team that lost the leaders we had the previous two seasons and winning a National Championship. Still I think we will be very good.

 

[AZBUCKFAN]

I am predicting a 10-2 season. We lost a LOT of talent to the Sunday league. I think that our "D" and kicking game will be alright, but I'm not sold on the "O". We're breaking in a new QB, the RBs showed little consistency last season, and the O-Line needs to improve big time. Of course, a little more imaginative play calling wouldn't hurt, either. Then maybe the Offense won't be going against Defenses that are stacked to stop the run. There's plenty of talent here, and not one single opponent on the schedule that the Bucks can't beat, but unless the "O" starts hitting on all cylinders, that sputtering offense will drop a couple of games.