Ohio State Team Report

To their credit, a number of Ohio State players fully understand why the rest of the country might not like the Buckeyes. That doesn’t diminish their desire, though, for a third-straight championship game.

The Buckeyes begin their quest for a third-straight national championship game appearance with a home date against Youngstown State. Given how many veterans are back, everyone remembers what happened to nemesis Appalachian State last year when the Wolverines dropped down to play a FCS school. It puts the players in a no-win situation—win and it was expected. Lose and it’s disaster.

“Somebody told me the hardest thing to do is to beat someone you’re supposed to beat,” Jenkins said. “We’re tired of hitting each other. It doesn’t matter who they put in that stadium. We’re just ready to play.”

Barring a team dropping off the schedule, Ohio State won’t play another FCS opponent until at least 2013. Coach Jim Tressel has said in the past that the only FCS school he would schedule is Youngstown State, where he coached for 14 seasons before moving on to the Buckeyes.

Notes, Quotes

Scouting The Offense: The only concern is at fullback and third receiver, and the two are related. Ohio State had open auditions at fullback and came away with Brandon Smith, a converted linebacker and tight end. How much time the Buckeyes spend with a fullback on the field depends on whether or not a third receiver emerges to complement Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline. Ray Small, who has never lived up to expectations, and sophomore Dane Sanzenbacher are battling for the spot. Whichever position emerges first, a strong fullback or a strong third receiver, could dictate the direction the offense goes.

Scouting The Defense: Ten starters return, although cornerback Donald Washington has been suspended for the first two games. The focus has been on creating more pressure with the defensive linemen, who totaled only four sacks last year. If the line ties up blockers, allowing the linebackers to make plays, and if the defensive backs can catch the interceptions they dropped last year, the Buckeyes should again be one of the top units in the nation. They led the nation in points allowed (12.7) and total defense (233 yards) last year.

Quote To Note: “If I were anywhere else, I’d be sick of us too. But, sorry America, we’re trying to get back there again.”—CB Malcolm Jenkins, on the nation’s disdain toward Ohio State.

Strategy And Personnel

THIS WEEK’S GAME: Youngstown State at Ohio State, Aug. 30—For the second-straight year, the Buckeyes open against coach Jim Tressel’s former employer. It will be a $650,000 payday for the Penguins and an easy victory for the Buckeyes. Two starters with more at stake might be Beanie Wells and Lawrence Wilson. Wells struggled miserably against YSU last year, gaining 46 yards on 16 carries. Wilson broke his leg and missed the rest of the season. Both are keys to this year, and both are poised to have big games.

Players To Watch:

LB James Laurinaitis—He passed up millions as a sure first-round pick for another year of college. Laurinaitis insists he didn’t return for another crack at the national championship, but the two-time All-American surely helps the Buckeyes’ chances.

RB Beanie Wells—Set a sophomore record with more than 1,600 rushing yards last year, despite playing the entire season with a bad ankle and a broken bone in his wrist. Now healthy, Wells is poised to make a run at 2,000 yards and the Heisman Trophy.

QB Todd Boeckman—Might lose some snaps to freshman sensation Terrelle Pryor, but his bigger concern must be rebounding from three subpar games to close the season. Boeckman must return to the form from early last year, when he threw 23 touchdowns and six interceptions through the first 10 games.

Roster Report:

• DBs Donald Washington and Jamario O’Neal have been suspended for the first two games of the season. The loss of Washington hurts, since he starts opposite Malcolm Jenkins at corner. But the Buckeyes open with Youngstown State and Ohio, and Washington will be back in time for the big Sept. 13 clash at USC.

• DT Doug Worthington, arrested over the summer for drunken driving, will dress Aug. 30, but his status is yet to be determined. Coach Jim Tressel hasn’t decided yet whether or not Worthington will play. He was underage when he was arrested.

• Tressel would like to play all three quarterbacks in the first half, meaning phenom Terrelle Pryor will get into the game early against Youngstown State. Tressel said Pryor and Joe Bauserman are about even in the race to back up Boeckman at quarterback.

• LB James Laurinaitis became the seventh player in school history to be named a captain twice. He is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

• RB Beanie Wells’ 1,609 yards last season were the most for any sophomore in school history.