Ohio State Football Predictions 2009
Written June 16, 2009 by InfoPlays
Ohio State’s success this season will depend on QB Terrelle Pryor’s growth. He has 10 starts under his belt, and will be expected to complete more passes while not turning the ball over. Just being in the weakened Big Ten, though, should assure the Buckeyes of at least nine victories in 2009. According to the college football odds for the upcoming season, Ohio State is listed as one of the top 5 teams to win the 2010 BCS Championship at +800.
Offense: The Buckeyes were decimated by graduations and early entries into the NFL, losing all their skill position players except quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Only Pryor and center Michael Brewster will start at the same position they occupied at the end of last season. Sophomore DeVier Posey has only one career touchdown grab, but he’ll be Pryor’s top target after Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline left for the NFL, taking 40 percent of the Buckeyes’ receptions in 2008 with them. Chris Wells and his 3,382 career rushing yards are gone, leaving sophomore Dan Herron and junior Brandon Saine. That’s not a bad combo to be left with, though.
Herron had 439 yards and six touchdowns last year. He, Saine and incoming star recruit Jamaal Berry are fetter fits for the spread option style the Buckeyes tinkered with last season, anyway. Saine is the fastest player on offense, but injuries and lack of vision taking carried out of the backfield have buried him on the depth chart. Saine had a tremendous spring, though, and could excel in the option attack which should allow him to catch pitches from Pryor and turn on the burners in the open field.
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Defense: Losing All-Americans in James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins is cause for concern on defense. The bright side is the depth and experience the Buckeyes return in the front and back of the defense. Safeties Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell are each three-year starters and will help offset the loss of Jenkins, who was last year’s Thorpe Award winner. Ohio State has inexperience at corner, but plenty of experience at safety, which could see the Buckeyes playing more zone and less man to help cover any shortages at cornerback.
Tackles Dough Worthington, Dexter Larimore and Todd Denlinger will continue to rotate, while end Thaddeus Gibson has finally emerged as a pass rushing threat. The Buckeyes have been missing this threat, as Gibson led the team with five sacks. Coach Tressel has been raving about linebacker Austin Spitler for two years, who has been relegated to special teams duty as Laurinaitis’ backup. Now he joins starter Ross Homan in the lineup. The other starting linebacker spot is up for grabs in a competition that will include juniors Tyler Moeller and Brian Rolle. Moeller is a hybrid defensive back/linebacker who fits well into their nickel schemes. Rolle is a bit undersized at 5-11, but he packs a punch at 221 points and has been a key special teams performer.
Be sure you check back once the season starts for the best NCAA football picks in the industry. Our handicappers always provide great football picks season after season.
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