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Six months to go. Buckeyes ranked No. 7 (or something like that)

What, no ranking for 2012?
Since we can’t look that far ahead, let’s turn to 2009, when Ohio State will have perhaps the most exciting (and now experienced) quarterback in the country. If only there were some way to judge how the Buckeyes stack up.
Wait, there is! ESPN.com’s Mark Schlabach has Ohio State ranked No. 7 behind Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, Virginia Tech and USC in the pre-pre-preseason poll. His thoughts:
The Buckeyes suffered heavy personnel losses from the team that lost to Texas 24-21 in the Fiesta Bowl. Linebackers James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman, receiver Brian Robiskie and cornerback Malcolm Jenkins were seniors last season. Then tailback Chris “Beanie” Wells and receiver Brian Hartline decided to skip their senior seasons and enter the NFL draft. Terrelle Pryor should improve in his second season as a starting quarterback, and the Ohio State coaches feel confident about tailback Dan Herron, who filled in well when Wells was hurt in 2008. Pryor must become a better passer during the offseason, and the receiver corps will have to be rebuilt. There won’t be much time for the Buckeyes to jell, however, as USC will play in the Horseshoe on Sept. 12.
I know some of you out there think the Buckeyes should be No. 1. Fess up.
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Comments
By Florida Buckeye
February 11, 2009 9:26 AM | Link to this
Good Topic, and I wonder how many Buckeye fans will be honest…As for me: I believe IF Wells, and Hartline had stayed AND Tressel opens up the Offense, then the Buckeyes had a chance to end up Top Five…However, realistically, I see a two loss season, and another top ten finish, but NOT a contender for the NC. The D- is going to be inexperienced, and I dont see Bam Herron and the unkown receiving corps carrying the load…that leaves Pryor, and Tressel’s play calling…and that’s alot left to be desired!By LizardKingLives
February 11, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this
The bottomline is that over the past 10 years there are only maybe 2 or 3 schools that an opponent would prefer not play year in and year out…they are Florida…USC…and the Buckeyes. Whether you like the buckeyes or not, you must admit that every year Ohio State surprises…when you think they will be the greatest team they disappoint and when you think they are weak they prove the opposite. early. College FB is so unpredictable and only time will tell but I think the safe bet is that the Buckeyes will once again re-load with talent and be in the running for a BCS birth.By JT Buck
February 11, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this
The biggest key will be the Buckeye line play. Their lines have been average at best recently and get exploited against top teams. Very little pressure without blizting and poor running lanes (against top teams). Most teams have decent skill players at the college level but line play seperates contenders from pretenders. It’s really hard to find big bodies that are quick.By Sallot
February 11, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
Three losses: USC, Penn State, Michigan.By Sallot
February 11, 2009 3:34 PM | Link to this
Three losses: USC, Penn State, Michigan.By buckeye
February 11, 2009 4:01 PM | Link to this
Sallot put the bong down…lose to Michigan. Rodriguez needs at least one more year to get Mich to that level of competition again. Granted Mich will be competitive next year but not to the point they beat OSU…the USC & PSU games possible losses no doubt. USC is always a powerhouse, not sold on PSU but the tradition there is solid. JT Buck…I agree it really depends on the off/def line play.By CJ
February 11, 2009 5:30 PM | Link to this
7 is a great ranking to start. Never want to be #1 going into the season. But really rankings mean nothing even until about 5 games into the season. OSU has a inside shot at a NC (as does every Big 10 school), because there is no Big 10 Championship. Its hard to not give an undeafeated Big 10 team a shot at the national title. Thats why Delany wont vote for a playoff, it puts the Big 10 at a disadvantage from where they are now. Lets just hope OSU can get their line play and play calling up to snuff again. We really could use some offensive creativity!! Go Bucks!By bu
February 12, 2009 5:35 AM | Link to this
osu is clearly the best team in the big ten,,but outside of that they are lucky to get a top 10 ranking,the only reason they go to a bcs game is because of the money the buckeye fans pour into the town of the bcs game. OSU is clearly a money making operation and NOT a legitimate conetender for a national championship.By Florida Buckeye
February 13, 2009 7:43 AM | Link to this
Sallot, Lose to Michigan? Always a possibility, but not a probability in the foreseable future. And as far as Rodriguez and his supposed offensive genius: Look at it this way…West Virginia didnt really become a powerhouse in the Big East until after the best THREE teams left the conference: UM, BC and VT. And then WVA became a power. . that would be like taking away Michigan, OSU and PSU from the Big Ten, and then Purdue, or Illinois being the perennial top ranked team in the Big Ten…Not too impressive…so, I will be surprised IF Michigan come back to National Prominence any time soon…IMOBy Perhaps
February 13, 2009 9:48 AM | Link to this
Actually this years team might surprise alot of people. Theres going to be some starters on D that have gotten quite a bit of experience in special teams and backing up starters last year. Receivers that are left will fill in just fine with Posey and Sanzenbacher (spelling?). Is Small back for another year? Might finally be his chance to live up to the recruiting potential. I’m actually excited about this year, because aside from USC I don’t see any games that we aren’t favored in. The real number on question going into this year will be….can Pryor throw? If he can look for another BCS bowl…if he can’t expect 2-3 losses.By bunny
February 15, 2009 3:00 PM | Link to this
don’t worry, even if the luckeyes lose 3 games the bowl comittee will somehow find a way to justify them into a bcs game.By Purvis R. Coley
February 18, 2009 9:08 AM | Link to this
Don’t get me wrong my friends, I am a Buckeye fan, win, lose or draw. I am not getting my hopes up after the past three years. I have a life, but the Bucks and the coaching staff need turn the page or it will be more of the same…disappointing, heart-breaking defeats and blow-out’s by superior teams.By buckstar
April 10, 2009 8:35 AM | Link to this
These are great times to be a BUCKEYE! Re-load and fire! Coach Tressel is a proven winner. Defense will still be strongg better