2011 Ohio State Football Predictions
Written by Patrick Webb
Ohio State enters 2011 after an offseason of turmoil. Gone are head coach Jim Tressel and QB Terrelle Pryor, while the NCAA continues to investigate the university. Co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell will take over on an interim basis as head coach. OSU faces a disciplinary hearing in August that could go a long way in determining how many players will face suspensions for receiving illegal benefits. So far LT Mike Adams, WR DeVier Posey, TB Dan “Boom” Herron, and DE Solomon Thomas are facing five game suspensions.
Sports Illustrated has alleged that at least nine other players may have traded in memorabilia for tattoos, among other things, and some light could be shed on their status in August. The Buckeyes lose Pryor, clutch receiver Dane Sazenbacher, TB Brandon Saine, OL Justin Boren and Bryant Browning on offense. On defense they will need to replace DE/DT Cam Heyward, DT Dex Larimore, LB Brian Rolle and WLB Ross Homan, as well as corners Chimdi Chekwa, Devin Torrence and safety Jermale Hines.
Ohio State recruits extremely well and generally have the talent to reload, but given the offseason and uncertain status of several players I expect them to struggle, especially early in the season.
On offense Ohio State still has quality depth along the offensive line and at tailback. QB will be a big question mark as career back up Joe Bauserman could get the nod, though many expect talented dual-threat true freshman Braxton Miller to contend for the starting position. Miller is certainly the more athletic option and could help take pressure off the offensive line with his speed.
At tailback they will eventually be able to feature Herron (1155 yards, 5.3 ypc, 16 TDs, 19 receptions), but while he serves his suspension the Buckeyes do have quality options including Jammal Berrry and Jordon Hall, as well as talented red-shirt freshman (6’3 220) Rod Smith. OSU is set at FB with both Zach Boren and Adam Homan returning. Both are very good lead blockers and solid in pass protection, but rarely factor with the ball in their hand.
Wide Receiver is a big question mark as Corey Brown is the only WR returning for the early part of the season with any meaningful game experience. After game five DeVier Posey should give this unit a boost. OSU will need a group of red-shirt freshman and true freshman to grow on the job, and for someone to step up and fill the void that Posey and Sazenbacher are leaving.
Ohio State has some solid building blocks along the offensive line including center Mike Brewster, who may be the best center in college football. Adams should grab his LT spot back, and JB Shugarts is hoping to stay healthy to add some consistency to this unit. The talented Marcus Hall is vying for either of the open guard spots and for replacing Adams early in the season. He will be competing with Jack Mewhort, Corey Linsley and Andrew Norwell to break into the starting line up. This unit should be strong, but could be affected by offensive coordinator Jim Bollman making the move from focusing on the offensive line to play calling.
Even though the Buckeyes are losing seven starters from the defensive side of the ball, they return a talented and deep front seven. OSU used a lot of different players on defense last season and will return their top six defensive linemen including DE Nathan Williams, DT/DE John Simon, and DT Garrett Goebel, all of whom are extremely flexible and can play multiple looks in Ohio State’s attack. Starter Andrew Sweat returns to man the SLB position, and Etienne Sabino is looking to man the MLB spot after taking a red-shirt last season in a crowded unit. Storm Klein also returns and will provide some experience to the linebacker rotation. Freshman Curtis Grant has the size to make an impact immediately and may make the two deep on the depth chart.
The Buckeyes’ secondary will be short on experience, but return three safeties that have started in the past, including last season’s FS Orhian Johnson, the flexible Tyler Moeller from injury, and C.J. Barnett. Both starting corners are gone, but Travis Howard has playing time under his belt, and Dominic Clarke played well in the Buckeyes’ bowl game versus Arkansas and has had a strong spring.
OSU returns punter Ben Buchanan, who enjoyed a solid freshman season and is looking to improve on his net of 34.3 yards per punt. Buchanan could see time at PK, but that job more likely belongs to sophomore Drew Basil, who handled kick off duties last season. OSU has several talented options to return kicks and punts, one being Jordan Hall, who was very good in both roles last season.
Ohio State will have some adjustments to make throughout the season. They already had some coaching turnover before Tressel resigned. What they do possess is a deep roster and a coaching staff that remains mostly intact, which means there should be very little changes in scheme. If Ohio State can get through the first five games unscathed they could make an impact on the Leaders Division. This is a program that is used to winning and has enough veteran talent to overcome the offseason turmoil.
Schedule Analysis: Ohio State begins the season with two non-conference games versus MAC opponents (Toledo and Akron), before heading to Miami for a night game. They then return home for a game with Colorado before beginning the conference season. OSU opens Big Ten play with Michigan State at home followed by road games at Nebraska and Illinois. They follow a bye in week 8 with a crucial match up hosting Wisconsin, and then grab breathers with Indiana at home and Purdue on the road. OSU closes out the season with Penn State at home and their rivalry game at Michigan.
Final Score Prediction: 9-3 Overall (5-3 – 3rd in Leaders Division)
More Resources:
- Locksmith Sports – 2nd in Leaders
Got something to say?
- Buy Jack's Picks
- Sports Picks
- Free Football Picks
- Football Betting
- Football Betting Forum
- Article Archives
- College Football Picks
- NFL Picks
- NBA Picks
- NCAA Basketball Picks
- Baseball Picks
- NHL Picks
- College Bowl Picks
- Super Bowl Picks
- College Football Lines
- NFL Spreads
- NBA Spreads
- NCAA Basketball Lines
- Baseball Lines
- NHL Lines
- College Bowl Odds
- Super Bowl Odds
- Betting Trends
- Gambling
- Handicappers
- Handicapping
- Matchups
- Odds Explained
- Predictions
- Standings
- Sportsbooks
- Weekly Picks
- Heisman Odds