The
Buckeyes enter 2008 as a team pushing for
their third straight trip to the national
championship. With so many starters back
on both sides of the ball, picking them
No. 1 heading into the spring and summer
should be no surprise. At the start of the
2007 season, prognosticators were not quite
sure what to make of Heisman-winner Troy
Smith's replacement, Todd Boeckman, at QB.
The soon-to-be senior responded in a big
way, even putting his name into many early
Heisman Top Five lists. His production was
good enough to earn him First Team All-Big
Ten status. More important is the return
of RB Chris "Beanie" Wells, a
sure Heisman front-runner when the new season
kicks off. The targets for Boeckman are
also back in the fold en masse. The interior
of the OL has a good deal of experience,
with the only departure up front being tackle
Kirk Barton. Good thing that the other tackle,
Alex Boone, is worthy of playing at the
next level. Should Boone decide to leave
early, the line could play at a lesser level
and that would surely translate into less
production. But, c’mon…Ohio
State is all about defense, and this stopping
11 is currently the top unit (total and
scoring) with most likely to return. Also
the nation's No. 1 rated pass defense, all
four starters here return and the nation's
No. 3 rated run defense returns six of the
front seven (for now). Of course Gholston,
Laurinaitis and Jenkins are big reasons
the Buckeyes are considered the front-runners
again for '08, so their fates hold the defensive
balance for OSU. But the faithful shouldn't
expect all three to be donning Scarlet and
Gray next year…all three could boogie.
Even if his team loses a few to the NFL,
Ohio State has to be considered one of the
top three teams heading into next season.
Coach Tressel is proven both as a coach
and recruiter – plenty of highly-touted,
well-cultivated and eager talent awaits
their turn(s). This team will continue to
knock on the national championship door
and will be a huge favorite to win the Big
Ten once again.
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