Time for Another Run?

Well, spring is here and Coach Tressel and some of the players don’t seem to be shy in regards to their expectations.  National Title run?  Seems like Tressel and the boys think it is a distinct possibility.  Why?  Let’s take a look….

• The offense that sputtered through the first half of last season is now very dangerous.  Average quarterback play with a little protection from the guys in the trenches should allow Teddy, Santonio, and Gonzo to make life very difficult for even the top defenses.  If someone figures out a way to stop Ted Ginn, then I will assume that person has also figured out a way to defy physics.  Ginn scored at least once in five of the last six games last year, and it is going to be hard for any team to keep him out of the end zone in any game this year.
  

• This team has experience at QB, unlike the team heading into last year.  Troy Smith showed everyone his multidimensional skills against the school up north last year and Justin Zwick showed the heart of a lion in the Alamo Bowl.  You would have to think that one of these two, if not both of them, would be able to effectively lead this talented offense.
  

• For the first time in a number of years, the offensive line has some depth and looks like one of the best units in the league.  Four of the five starters from last year’s Alamo Bowl return, with the fifth projected starter, Doug Datish, a player that started 10 games last year.  Guard TJ Downing and right tackle Kirk Barton are both looking like diamonds in the rough.  Center Nick Mangold could challenge for All-American honors.  2nd year players, Steve Rehring, Kyle Mitchum and Ben Person will push the starters.  And, the most highly touted incoming O-lineman in years, Alex Boone, arrives in August. 
  

• The D-line returns seven out the eight guys from last year’s two-deep.  Quinn Pitcock will be a pre-season All-American.  The coaches think Jay Richardson could be the next big-time pass rusher at Ohio State.  Youngsters Vernon Gholston and Alex Barrow are names you will here about a lot in the next few years.
  

• One day people will look back at a group of LB’s whose names include: AJ Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, Anthony Schlegel, Mike D’Andrea, Marcus Freeman, John Kerr, Chad Hoobler, Curtis Terry and Freddie Lenix and say, “There is no way a team had all those guys on the same roster.”  Hawk is already being called the clear-cut favorite to win the Butkis Award.  Outside of Big Ten country, Carpenter is the best kept secret in the country.  Now add the tandem of Schlegel and MDA in the middle and you have to wonder how Coach Fickell is going to keep the rest of the bunch happy.
  

• As always, the defensive backfield will be loaded.  Ashton Youboty may take over the reigns as the top cover-corner in the Big Ten.  Nate Salley, Donte Whitner and Tyler Everett are the likely other three starters for a unit that has to be considered one of the best in the league.
  

• Make no mistake about it; last year’s blowout wins over Michigan and Oklahoma State to finish the year were both even bigger blowouts than the final scores indicated.  Ohio State gave up two early scores to a 9-1 Michigan team and then ransacked them.  Oklahoma State was dominated in every phase of the game by an Ohio State team that was basically playing without a quarterback.  33-7?  It could have very easily been 50-0. The offensive line jelled just in time to salvage a mediocre season and a defense that was maligned early in the year was playing as well as any defense in the land before it was all said and done.
  

Hope spring eternal…it’s time to get excited.

blb