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QB
Troy Smith |
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2005
Statistics |
Coach:
Jim Tressel
50-13,
5 years |
2005
Record: 10-2 |
|
MIAMI
OH |
WON
34-14 |
TEXAS |
LOST
22-25 |
SAN
DIEGO STATE |
WON
27-6 |
IOWA |
WON
31-6 |
at
Penn State |
LOST
10-17 |
MICHIGAN
STATE |
WON
35-24 |
at
Indiana |
WON
41-10 |
at
Minnesota |
WON
45-31 |
ILLINOIS |
WON
40-2 |
NORTHWESTERN |
WON
48-7 |
at
Michigan |
WON
25-21 |
FIESTA
BOWL |
vs.
Notre Dame |
WON
34-20 |
|
2005 Final Rankings
AP-4, Coaches-4, BCS-4
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2006
Outlook |
There
are many things that make this campaign
already galvanized – a rematch
with Texas in their second tilt means
all eyes are on the Buckeyes right
away. We know much about the offense,
but the defense is the wildcard that
will make-or-break any efforts. It
plays out pretty simply – if
the D gels fast and is strong in those
first few games, it could be a (national
championship) banner year. IF not,
the BCS is still likely in Tressel’s
crosshairs, but he will have to outscore
(via shootout) foes, which is not
the same kinds of annihilations we
have seen in the past two years.
One
of the keys to ruling for 60-minutes
will be opening up the offensive playbook
early and often. Tressel seems to
be from the Bill Cowher (Super Bowl
champ Steelers coach) school of thinking
– get comfortably ahead, but
then shut the offense down so as not
to play your hand of what exactly
the arsenal has in it. (As in the
past) It allows for OSU’s foes
to the often stage slow-but-steady
comebacks, one’s that were quashed
then by their superior LBs/defense.
Without that last variable, Tressel
& Co. should keep their momentum
going, regardless. With so much ball-handling
talent and the many ways they line
these guys up, it is a no-brainer
that offensive momentum will get them
where they want to go and that the
team’s prototype of the past
few years likely won’t. Ginn
actually didn’t live up to his
entire hype, and with Holmes gone,
he and Pittman will have many chance
to get into open space and go.
Then
there is second-team all-American
(NC.net) Troy Smith, who will become
a Heisman frontrunner with Ginn. This
guy touches every snap, and has the
ability to do it himself – ala
Vince Young – to the point where
he (and therefore the offense) should
be unstoppable.
Penn
State, (at) Iowa and Bowling Green
follow Texas, so, as stated, it is
written already what has to be done,
and right off, too. The Wolverines
come into the Horseshoe (please, this
year, can the Buckeye faithful not
boo the UM band before the game even
starts?) But moreover, Northwestern
(away) the week prior look like a
possible trap game. Yes, special teams
will still be good enough to pull
it off if needed, but if that is the
case too often, we will see some extra
losses. And if that happens, make
sure to get on (cousin) Dan about
it. But Tressel has done more with
less (2003), so let’s get out
there.
Projected
2006 record: 11-1
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OHIO
STATE
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 5 |
DL
- 3.5 |
RB
- 4 |
LB
- 3.5 |
WR
- 4.5 |
DB
- 3 |
OL
- 4 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Troy Smith, 237-149-4, 2282 yds.,
16 TD
Rushing: Antonio Pittman, 243
att., 1331 yds., 7 TD
Receiving: Ted Ginn, 51 rec.,
803 yds., 4 TD
Scoring: Troy Smith, 11 TD,
66 pts.
Punting: A.J. Trapasso, 43
punts, 40.4 avg.
Kicking: none
Tackles: Malcolm Jenkins, 37
tot., 23 solo
Sacks: David Patterson, 4 sacks
Interceptions: Brandon Mitchell,
1 for 57 yds., 1 TD
Kickoff Returns: Ted Ginn,
18 ret., 29.6 avg., 1 TD
Punt Returns: Ted Ginn, 25 ret.,
10.0 avg., 1 TD
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WR/PR/KR
Ted Ginn |
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OHIO
STATE
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OFFENSE
- 7 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 3 |
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KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Brandon Schnittker-FB, Ryan Hamby-TE,
Rob Sims-OG, Nick Mangold-C, Josh Huston-K,
Santonio Holmes-WR (NFL) |
DEFENSE:
Marcus
Green-DT, Mike Kudla-DE, Bobby Carpenter-SLB,
Anthony Schlegel-MLB, A.J. Hawk-WLB,
Tyler Everett-CB, Nate Salley-FS, Ashton
Youboty-CB (NFL), Donte Whitner-SS (NFL) |
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2006
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
Basically,
the main reason this team is ranked so high
and feared by so many is because of Troy
Smith. Smith has the combination of arm
strength and foot speed that scares any
foe. Extremely accurate when needed (five
INTs, 62.9 % complete) or able to throw
it away for another chance, Smith has the
ability to improvise while controlling both
the field and the play call as he makes
the most yardage with whatever develops.
If he scrambles, don’t miss it. He
is “Vince Young Good”, just
ask Notre Dame. This past season, Smith
got his mental edge. He will be a force
that only the best defenses will be able
to stop. And there is no solace if he is
injured. Justin Zwick, the guy who from
whom Smith fought and took the starting
job late in 2004, is still there, awaiting
his chance(s). Zwick is not as mobile (who
is?), though he has the feet to escape and
make a play when needed that way, too. Zwick
had a 72.4 completion percentage last campaign,
for he will also stand in the pocket and
take the hit in order to make his throws
work. This QB duo is likely the nation’s
best, and opponents are wiser if they try
to control/limit this position, not stop
it completely. Todd Boeckman has the pedigree
to step up if needed, but his real game
experience would cause the entire offense
to simplify.
Running
Back
Here,
things open up for junior Antonio Pittman
due to Smith’s running ability. Testimonial
to that fact is how Pittman lost only 29
yards on 243 carries (while gaining 1360).
The Akron native is compact enough to punish
would be tacklers and fast enough to escape
around the corner, too. Breakaway speed
(4.45 in the 40) isn’t quite there,
but he will still break a few big ones due
to the distraction of Smith and Ginn. Maurice
Wells didn’t reach nearly his potential
in his chances. Wells may be displaced by
incoming hulkster Chris Wells. Stan White,
a converted-FB, will continue to make room
for whoever needs it, and that is all. This
unit will again produce and allow for a
24th (or higher) national ranking.
Receiver
Here
is another area OSU is superior. We’ll
start with Heisman candidate Ted Ginn, Jr.
and his multiple abilities. His first three
steps are amazing, let alone his ability
to get open and the YAC he produces. The
few knocks are that he isn’t real
big and he drops some easy ones. Otherwise,
don’t be surprised at the roles/capacities
he plays – Ginn will be lined up all
over the field, including vacant areas not
utilized by other teams. Junior Tony Gonzales
has a faster 40-time than Ginn (4.37 vs.
4.4), and he proved his worth versus ND
at critical times. A strong downfield blocker,
Gonzales will become a major force as their
No.2 WR. SE Roy Hall proved he knows how
to use his size (6’3, 240) to the
Buckeye’s advantage. Albert Dukes
looks ready to break out of his reserve
mold. State will use these guys creatively
– they just have to know what to do
when Smith starts to make his unplanned
magic.
Tight
End
Marcel
Frost was already the preferred snarler
in OSU’s two-TE sets, and now he becomes
the starter. Frost is a strong presence
on the line, so he has little-to-no dropoff.
Rory Nicol is primed to break out. The Pittsburgher
has 4.75 40-speed and size, so his dual-capacity
will make defenses guess why he might be
on the field. Two newbies and several vets
mean a strong unit.
Offensive
Line
There
are enough returning starters (three) who
are upperclassmen to build a quality line
as good as last year’s. Doug Datish
has adjusted well to being Smith’s
blindside protection, but could be moved
to the middle to replace Mangold. Fellow-senior
T.J. Downing will anchor the rebuilding
of the interior in his second year as a
starter. Kirk Barton and Alex Boone have
both started at tackle, so we feel good
about foes’ edge rushers being handled
again (18 sacks allowed in ’05, but
don’t forget Smith’s prowess.)
Steve Rehring as LT will be good –
he was No.2 there last year, and this mobile
interior guy is ready. With only a few big-time
prospects left on the roster, OSU looks
vulnerable here if the injury bug hits them
hard. This is a group that has to be mobile
with so many offensive variables, and this
crew moves well to make any/all play calls
possible.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Unless
you live under a rock, you likely know the
potential this offense possesses. The Buckeyes
don’t set NCAA marks for yards; it
is their balance that gets you. The best
part of their O is how creatively they line
these guys up. It all starts with the many
abilities of Smith in their unique spread
approach. You’ll find scorcher Ginn,
Jr. just about anywhere, including areas
most teams consider no-man’s-land.
Watching foes decide what to do when OSU
really looks unconventional this way is
amusing, especially when the results are
tallied. Zwick under center is actually
a change of pace that is effective, so State
sacrifices little production-wise if he
is in. Coordinator Jim Bollman, who came
in with Tressel the same year, also oversees
the line’s development, so expect
this somewhat revamped area to work well,
as long as the beef stays healthy. Look
for WR Gonzales to easily be what Holmes
was, with even more speed. Few will stop
this offense…trying to control it
is their only hope(s). Just ask Notre Dame.
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RB
Antonio Pittman
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OHIO
STATE 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Troy
Smith-Sr (6-1, 215) |
Justin
Zwick-Sr (6-4, 225) |
FB |
Stan
White-Sr (6-2, 242) |
Dionte
Johnson-Jr (6-0, 234) |
TB |
Antonio
Pittman-Jr (5-11, 195) |
Chris
Wells-Fr (6-2, 225)
Erik Haw-So (6-1, 212) |
WR |
Anthony
Gonzalez-Jr (6-0, 195) |
Roy
Hall-Sr (6-3, 240) |
WR |
Ted
Ginn-Jr (6-0, 180) |
Brian
Robiskie-So (6-3, 195) |
TE |
Rory
Nicol-So (6-5, 250) |
Marcel
Frost-Jr (6-5, 255) |
OT |
Alex
Boone-So (6-8, 325) |
Tim
Schafer-Sr (6-5, 290) |
OG |
Steve
Rehring-So (6-8, 329) |
Jon
Skinner-So (6-5, 300) |
C |
Doug
Datish-Sr (6-5, 295) |
Jim
Cordle-Fr (6-4, 280) |
OG |
T.J.
Downing-Sr (6-4, 305) |
Ben
Person-So (6-4, 315) |
OT |
Kirk
Barton-Jr (6-4, 310) |
Doug
Ebner-So (6-4, 285) |
K |
Aaron
Pettrey-Fr (6-1, 195) |
Ryan
Pretorius-So (5-10, 190) |
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2006
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
Three
seniors return to form the line around,
but we seem to feel that, without any other
truly experienced front seven – let
alone no quality reserves on the DL itself
– State’s No.1 ranking against
the rush will be a far gone memory (as will
allowing a stellar 2.35 yards per carry).
Seniors Jay Richardson and David Patterson
will be the venerable ones around which
this line is built. Both are statistically
less than those who left, so stepping up
is an understatement for what is needed.
Glenville’s Robert Rose, rated best
DE in this year’s recruiting class
(Rivals.com), joins the trio of four-star
recruits from last class to bolster the
outside (’05 class standout seems
to be Lawrence Wilson, who may start). Inside,
Quinn Pitcock will be the first piece of
the puzzle. His speed is deceiving as he
occupies two hats on most running plays,
or else. Sophomore Todd Denlinger is joined
by RS classmate Nadar Abdallah and Sian
Cotton to form promise on the inside. This
is a talented group that can still achieve
strong results, just not the same kind of
results as last year right off.
Linebacker
No
starting experience here means more bad
news for State. Marcus Freeman was the second-team
SAM behind departed Carpenter and is a major
force (ran 4x100 and threw shotput/discus
in prep). Mr. Football (defense, state of
Minnesota) saw lots of action, too, and
is the first scholarship player from “Gopherland”
since 1933 (team captain Sid Gillman). Both
of these guys will be household names in
Columbus soon. RS frosh Brandon Smith seems
like a run-stopping specialist, and Curtis
Terry saw limited action but seems primed
with speed for coverage. Mike D’Andrea
is the wildcard – he has missed much
over the past few campaigns (ACL got him
a redshirt). But D’Andrea (rated No.1
LB by Scout.com as a frosh) is that seasoned
vet that would be the inspiration and rallying
point of the entire D. Moreover, this area
was the glue of 2005’s smashmouth-11,
and with these new starters, it will be
a struggle til we see this unit superior
again and/or synching with the other defensive
areas.
Defensive
Back
Only
sophomore nickel back Malcolm Jenkins returns,
so the back seven is pretty much fresh.
That means there will be less from the LBs
on underneath coverage(s), necessarily.
Jenkins has a full tank – in prep,
he won state title in 400 meters while placing
third in the 200. His sprint speed is a
bit slower (4.43 in the 40), but this is
good stuff around which to build, so pen
him in at corner. The competition for the
other starting spot looks to be between
ex-WR Andre Amos, but Brandon Underwood
looks strong, and senior Mike Roberts and
Nick Patterson add well-sized experience
to the dime packages. 6’3” Brandon
Mitchell at one of the safety spots (free)
seems likely, and he is another state champ
(Georgia) in the 400 for maximum speed for
the whole 60 minutes. Soph Jamario O’Neal
was the No.3 CB coming in last year, and
his positioning at the other safety spot
signals the “ballhawking” this
group will need to employ to make up for
their (initial) lack of cohesion. Only six
INTs last year meant lots of reps to stop
foes, so hopefully this year these guys
can get themselves (and the D) off the field
faster. Overall, this is a stacked group
that will be exposed early by the Longhorns
if their house isn’t yet right.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
The
group will take a step backwards as too
many departures dictate such. But don’t
think that there won’t be some naïve
swagger due to all of the talent. What we
know most is that the LBs are gone and this
area was the key/glue for the last three
years. There is speed galore in the back-seven,
so coverage shouldn’t be the main
problem. Run stopping was phenomenal, but
the front seven will be challenged because
the best stuffers are gone. Still, it should
be a strength by season’s end. Teams
like this seem so vulnerable when turnover
is this excessive. But then we always look
back and wonder why we didn’t see
the quality coming when it arises so quickly.
The Buckeyes seem to define this reality,
and we will see the level they rise to be
the pivot for how far the entire team goes.
See where we have them, and deduce for yourself.
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DT
Quinn Pitcock
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OHIO
STATE 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Lawrence
Wilson-So (6-6, 270) |
Vernon
Gholston-So (6-4, 260) |
DT |
David
Patterson-Sr (6-3, 285) |
Todd
Denlinger-Fr (6-3, 280) |
DT |
Quinn
Pitcock-Sr (6-3, 295) |
Joel
Penton-Sr (6-5, 290) |
DE |
Jay
Richardson-Sr (6-6, 276) |
Alex
Barrow-So (6-5, 275) |
LB |
James
Laurinaitis-So (6-3, 244) |
Curtis
Terry-Jr (6-2, 234) |
LB |
Marcus
Freeman-So (6-2, 242) |
Austin
Spitler-Fr (6-3, 242) |
LB |
John
Kerr-Sr (6-1, 233) |
Ross
Homan-Fr (6-1, 237) |
CB |
Antonio
Smith-Sr (5-9, 195) |
Donald
Washington-Fr (6-1, 195)
Brandon Underwood-So (6-2, 180) |
CB |
Malcolm
Jenkins-So (6-1, 202) |
Mike
Roberts-Sr (5-11, 185)
Andre Amos-Fr (6-1, 180) |
SS |
Jamario
O'Neal-So (6-1, 190) |
Anderson
Russell-Fr (6-0, 190) |
FS |
Nick
Patterson-So (6-2, 210) |
Brandon
Mitchell-Sr (6-3, 205) |
P |
A.J.
Trapasso-So (6-1, 220) |
John
Thoma-Fr (6-1, 190) |
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2006
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
We feel 27-year old South African-based kicker
Ryan Pretorius (ex-Rugby star) has the huge foot
Tressel will choose. Jonathan Skeete has been
reinstated (drug trafficking) after completing
his off-field requirements, so there is competition
and/or a backup, which only bodes well for Buckeye
fans.
Punter
A.J. Trapasso will be back to assure at least
40% of his boots are either fair caught or inside
the 20. The net game ranked 13th in ’05,
and with so many hungry DBs and LBs competing,
it should be fun to watch OSU cover here and on
kicks.
Return
Game
DO NOT LOOK AWAY WHEN OHIO STATE IS RECEIVING
A PUNT!!! Ginn and Gonzales are the best tandem
returners in the nation. Heck, we got Ginn as
our first-team all-American here, and Gonzales
has faster sprint times. If you like wide-open
field running, you’ll be making a huge mistake
if you get up during a kick if the Buckeyes are
returning.
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