|
|
EARLY
BIRD 2007 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2006 |
|
|
OHIO
STATE BUCKEYES |
|
OFFENSE
- 8 |
------RETURNING
STARTERS------ |
DEFENSE
- 6 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Troy Smith-QB, Justin Zwick-QB, Stan White-FB,
Roy Hall-WR, Tim Schafer-OT, Doug Datish-C,
T.J. Downing-OG |
DEFENSE:
Jay
Richardson-DE, David Patterson-DT, Quinn Pitcock-DT,
Antonio Smith-WLB, John Kerr-WLB, Brandon
Mitchell-SS |
|
|
|
Receiver/Linebacker |
Gonzalez,
Robiskie and Heisman hopeful
Ginn make it so foes can’t
double cover any of them. Nagurski
winner James Laurinaitis and
Marcus Freeman are the core
of the entire D, which will
only get better due to their
range. |
|
|
Quarterback/Defensive
Tackle |
Smith
has been the difference between
very good and greatness, but
can he be replaced? Pitcock
and Patterson penetrated and
plugged the middle and will
be missed. |
|
|
|
WR
Ted Ginn |
|
LB
James Laurinaitis |
|
|
|
|
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic
gauge for listing players that departed and players
that received the most playing experience (consistent
starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance
of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts,
transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups
and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our
full 2007 Preseason Preview due out this coming
spring. |
|
OHIO
STATE 2007 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Todd
Boeckman-Jr |
.. |
TB |
Antonio
Pittman-Sr |
Chris
Wells-So |
WR |
Ted
Ginn-Sr |
.. |
WR |
Brian
Robiskie-Jr |
.. |
WR |
Anthony
Gonzalez-Sr |
Brian
Hartline-So |
TE |
Rory
Nicol-Jr |
Jake
Ballard-So |
OT |
Alex
Boone-Jr |
.. |
OG |
Steve
Rehring-Jr |
.. |
C |
.. |
.. |
OG |
.. |
.. |
OT |
Kirk
Barton-Sr |
.. |
K |
Aaron
Pettrey-So |
Ryan
Pretorius-Jr |
|
DEFENSE |
DE |
Lawrence
Wilson-Jr |
.. |
DT |
.. |
.. |
DT |
.. |
.. |
DE |
Vernon
Gholston-Jr |
.. |
SLB |
Marcus
Freeman-Jr |
.. |
MLB |
James
Laurinaitis-Jr |
Larry
Grant-Sr |
WLB |
Ross
Homan-So |
Terry
Curtis-Sr |
CB |
Malcolm
Jenkins-Jr |
.. |
CB |
Donald
Washington-So |
.. |
SS |
.. |
.. |
FS |
Jamario
O'Neal-Jr |
Anderson
Russell-So / Nick Patterson-Jr |
P |
A.J.
Trapasso-Jr |
.. |
|
|
QUICK
ANALYSIS |
The
new leadership at QB will tell much as to
how far next year’s Buckeyes can go.
Enter drop-back hurler Todd Boeckman, an
understudy for the past few years who will
be thrust into the limelight. Boeckman has
the arm and pedigree to succeed, but how
long he takes to properly adjust to real
game pressure dictates the potential of
this offensive juggernaut. RB Antonio Pittman’s
prowess will ease him in – Pittman’s
experience and ability should keep DLs respectful,
though losing Stan White could affect the
impact of the running game more than losing
linemen Datish and Downing inside. But Alex
Boone will have the QB’s blindside
(only 14 sacks allowed by entire OL). Depth
with Chris Wells (top prep RB in ’06
recruiting class) should keep defenders
tired as he and Pittman rotate early and
often. The star of this offense –
and a potential Heisman finalist –
is WR Ted Ginn. Still, he is but one of
the talented Buckeyes at receiver (Gonzalez,
Robiskie) who can burn foes deep as well
as via short routes with YAC. Ginn also
explodes on punt returns, though coaches
need to find a new kick returner to keep
Ginn healthy. Then there is the defense,
which was supposed to need 2006 to adjust
to six new starters in the back seven. Coach
Tressel improved his legacy even more by
fielding a D that shut most foes down for
60 minutes. Nagurski Award winner (in his
first year starting) Jamie Laurinaitis leads
a group of sophomores and juniors that will
play with cohesion and determination to
make each game a shutout, and they can hold
up their end of that bargain. But the DL
is the biggest team concern with Richardson,
Pitcock and Patterson departing. Soon-to-be
juniors Vernon Gholston and Lawrence Wilson,
along with over-achieving Robert Rose (3.5
sacks in his seven tackles), look like they
should tow the line on the outside, so it
is only inside that needs extra attention
in spring/summer practice(s). The LBs are
rangy enough to be able to help in this
area, though teams that spread the Buckeye
defenders may find the most success running
between the tackles. Kickers Pettrey and
Pretorius went a combined 3-for-5 from 50+,
and both are back. If ’06 is any indication,
be sure not to underestimate Tressel’s
ability to take supposed weaknesses and
turn them into definitive strengths. The
Buckeyes look to be reloading for another
run as the nation’s best. Without
Texas on the horizon, only trips to the
Big House and Happy Valley seem to be in
their way.
|
|
|
|
OHIO
STATE
2007 SCHEDULE
9-1
Youngstown State
9-8 Akron
9-15 @ Washington
9-22 Northwestern
9-29 @ Minnesota
10-6 @ Purdue
10-13 Kent State
10-20 Michigan State
10-27 @ Penn State
11-3 Wisconsin
11-10 Illinois
11-17 @ Michigan
|
|
|
|
|