Ohio State is the unquestioned class of the Big Ten, so much so that down seasons like those experienced at Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin at points during the past five years are nearly unfathomable. Penn State took the Rose Bowl birth in 2008 by way of the tiebreaker, but Ohio State still earned themselves a split of the Big Ten title, and the rest of the decade has been an almost unchallenged chain of Buckeye dominance, especially following their establishment of control over Michigan under Jim Tressel.

It didn’t have to be this way, and we almost forget that there was a time when Ohio State was not destined to be the death machine that has been established. The 2000 season ended with three teams tied at 6-2, none of which were Ohio State (and two of which were Northwestern and Purdue). Illinois won the conference title in 2001, and even after the improbable run to the national championship in 2002, Ohio State fell back to the good-but-not-great level it had inhabited for quite some time. The 2004 team actually finished 4-4 in conference—nearly unthinkable today.

The story that followed is more familiar—great teams coming up short on the biggest stage, almost the exact opposite of the overmatched 2002 team that somehow pulled off the improbably victory over the Miami Death Star. In hindsight, though, Ohio State has never exactly had the air of invincibility that has followed other elite programs over that period. The dominant 2006 team nearly faltered against a woeful Illinois team in Champaign, and of course the 2007 team would go down to that same Illinois team. The 2008 version was pounded into oblivion against USC, racked up workmanlike victories against the underbelly of the Big Ten, and then lost at home to a favored Penn State team.

No loss was worse than the loss at West Lafayette, however. Yes, Purdue was probably a bit better than their 5-7 record. Yes, turnovers played a large role, and Ohio State looked quite different after that game. The point remains: a loss at the 2009 version of Purdue just shouldn’t happen to an elite program.
Much of the inconsistency can be blamed on Terrelle Pryor, which isn’t entirely fair—he was only a sophomore—but mostly accurate. Questions surrounded Pryor’s maturation process throughout the 2009 season until, oh, around 5:30 PM on January 1st, when Ohio State decimated an Oregon team that was such a trendy pick that a Ducks victory was almost assumed by the college football intelligentsia.

Ohio State partisans hope that Pryor’s effort in the Rose Bowl—easily his most polished as a passer—will mark a turning point in his development. The early polls tend to think that will be the case, and Ohio State is the clear #2 (behind Alabama) in all the national polls. With no clear challenger for the Big Ten title, the national championship that has eluded Ohio State (and the Big Ten) since 2002 appears closer than ever.

The leap from “Terrelle Pryor—glorified running back” and “Terrelle Pryor—Heisman favorite” was sudden, perhaps to sudden for comfort. The list of “turning-point” games for dual threat QBs is a long one, and like economists predicting recessions, college football talking heads have predicted five of the past three games set to launch these runners to new heights. Juice Williams in 2007 in Columbus. Jacory Harris against Oklahoma last year. Tyrod Taylor in about half a dozen games since his freshman season. These predictions aren’t always wrong, but they are frequent, and that should temper some of the Buckeye enthusiasm.

Still, Ohio State should win the Big Ten once again. But expectations are growing. Recruiting is down; Ohio State had the 25th ranked class according to Rivals last year (lowered somewhat by the small number of scholarships they had to give), and while recruiting has been strong this year, a few very high profile Ohio athletes have left the state for more southern pastures over the past couple of seasons. The Buckeye program has been built upon home grown talent, and if that elite talent starts deserting Ohio State, whatever national aspirations the program has will vanish.

That will have repercussions for the rest of the conference. If elite Ohio football players leave for other conferences, Ohio State will collect the best of what is rest. Teams like Michigan State and Illinois, which have traditionally depended upon these also-ran recruits, will decline even further. For the foreseeable future, the Big Ten will go as Ohio State goes. But these windows of opportunities do not remain open forever, and 2004 wasn’t so long ago that it can’t happen again. Not this year, of course. But soon enough.

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Fire Phil Emery

I agree with the Pryor assessment. He seems very Juice Williamsy to me and that's not a good thing for Buckeye fans.

One good game against Oregon with 6 weeks to prepare isn't going to convince me that he is no longer the guy that completes about half his passes with a terrific supporting cast. He's going to dazzle at times. But, as he gets to feel like he can throw it more often, I'm thinking that about 1 out of every 10 completions is going to be to the other team.

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My Maserati does 186.

What do you think Terrelle Pryor needs to do to surpass Troy Smith in terms of "greatness" (whatever that means). And is that enough given the hype around Pryor?

He should worry about getting more accurate before concerning himself with his legacy. Most of his big-time completions are where guys are 5 or 10 yards clear of a defender.

He's got a slow release because he holds the ball too low and isn't ready to throw so they compensate by limiting his throws to quick slants and fades. I don't think he reads the field very well either.

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My Maserati does 186.

Here is one thing I don't get about the Pryor era.

Ohio State is currently by far the best program in the Big Ten currently, and as IB pointed out, it's really not close. One could make an argument they are one of the handful of national programs in the whole country.

Why did they tie the entire fate of the program into a guy that wasn't a great QB but was a great athlete? I mean, I would understand if a program like Purdue or Michigan State said "We are going to pin all of our hopes on this guy, and if he becomes as good as we think he can we'll be a national championship contender". This is Ohio State though. The weak link on that team is the QB and has been his whole time there. Are you telling me that they couldn't have gotten another 5 star QB to come in and compete for the job? Notre Dame was able to get Dayne Crist to committ even when he knew he'd be holding the clipboard for Clausen possibly until after this next season. Clausen did go pro and now he gets to play. The same was true with Florida even with Tebow and we all know how USC hoards QB's.

The backup for Ohio State seems to be three star Joe Bauserman. I am unaware of any question as to whether or not he should be playing instead.

It's pretty obvious to me that all potential QB recruits were told that Pryor was the man because what else would explain it. Why would Ohio State take this chance on a guy that hasn't proven he can be a great QB but has shown sky high potential? If Pryor doesn't work out this year, this decision may have cost OSU a national title.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

They've tried, but struggled to find anyone. They went hard after Tajh Boyd, but he decided to go to Clemson instead. It got to the point where they made a desperation play at a two-star QB destined for the MAC (Miami of Ohio, I believe) and he said "no thanks, I'd rather see the field." It has left them in a lurch though, and the dropoff in case of injury will be quite severe.

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Fire Phil Emery

I never understood that either. It's like they got caught up in the recruiting hype and had to have the guy so they promised him the program. I don't get it.

You could see from the high school videos that the guy needed work but you know they promised him that he'd get action at QB from Day 1 or he never would have committed.

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My Maserati does 186.

He got action, but he wasn't the starter coming in. The 5th year med student whose name completely escapes me started the season in 2008, but that didn't go so well, especially against USC. Pryor took over later in the season.

I'm still reasonably high on Pryor. There isn't a QB in the league I'd rather have right now, which might say more about the state of Big Ten quarterbacking than it does about Pryor, but still. And, he's only entering his Junior year. He could still very easily be Vince Young, who also wasn't all that spectacular early on.

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Fire Phil Emery

It was Boekman and, while he was no Johnny Unitas, he was still better than Pryor at the time. They got killed by USC and they went with Pryor but it was a matter of time with Pryor that year. You knew they were just waiting for the first opportunity to sit the Senior even though he was coming off a pretty decent year if I recall.

And, yes, the state of QBing in the Big Ten isn't stellar. Pryor is a talent, but he's raw still, and like Rick said you'd expect that QB gamble more at a school like Illinois rather than OSU who, presumably, could plug in a polished passer and succeed with all the talent surrounding them. It's the less risky plan.

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My Maserati does 186.

Yeah, but Pryor was universally regarded as the #1 prospect in the nation. It was a gamble, but only in the sense that all recruiting is a gamble.

I feel weird defending Pryor, because like I said, I think that the common wisdom on him changed much too fast. But Ohio State has been just fine with him, and now he's going to be a junior. They are legitimate national championship contenders. He could lay waste to the conference in route to a 13-0 season, and I don't think anyone would find it shocking. At the same time, they could falter a bit, lose a couple games they shouldn't, go 9-4 and lose in the Citrus Bowl, and that will be pretty much it for his legacy. Time will tell.

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Fire Phil Emery

I found that watching videos of Pryor were much like watching high school videos of Lebron. He was truly a physical specimen, the like you rarely see. Fast, instinctive and powerful. The problem is that football is a team sport. You can't just give a guy like Pryor the ball and say "go out there and show them your freakish skillz." I think from Terelle's perspective, it wasn't a horrible move. Frankly, it might have made sense to go with a proven spread program like Rodriguez (since he was just coming to Michigan). But I think Terelle was thinking about the future. He wanted to succeed in the pros and thought if he went to a more "traditional" offensive scheme, he could become a more well-rounded player.

1. The kicking game continues to clear itself up as Ben Buchanon has moved to full time punting duties and should be the starting punter this season. In the kicking game, but Bucks still have a double edged sword with Senior Devin Barclay handling everying inside 42 yards and extra points while the much stronger legged true Freshman and top Kicker prospect in the Midwest, Drew Basil, is handling kickoffs and everything outside of 42 yards. Basil has a High School long of 63.5 yard FG when in High School. Basil knocked down a pair of 50+ yard FG's in real conditions in practice, including one from 56 yards.

2. Starting DE Nathan Williams suffered a knee injury in the Kicking Scrimmage which looks like a Grade 1 or Grade 2 sprain that could keep him out of action for 2-4 weeks. He should be back for Miami in Week 2, at the very latest. Some minor injuries included starting RB J.B. Shugarts who sat out allowing Andrew Miller to work with the 1's at LT and Mike Adams to slide over to the right side. Starting CB Devon Torrence has been hampered by a nagging hamstring injury. Starting for Nathan Williams is DE Solomon Thomas, who is expected to see significant time this season in the Buckeyes traditional 8-9 man DL rotation.

3. The return game is loaded with athletes, but can any of them actually return well. Superstar WR DeVier Posey appears to be the #1 Punt Returner this season, but he is being pushed by backup RB Jordan Hall (the shiftiest of the options), #4 WR Chris Fields, true Freshman CB Bradley Roby, and true Freshman WR Corey Brown, he busted a 45 yard return during the scrimmage. On the kickoff side, with the Bucks likely to put back two players, the field is a bit wider. Starting RB's Brandon Saine and Boom Herron are the starters at the moment, but Hall, Brown, and Fields are working in this group, too. Joining them are #3 RB Jaamal Berry, #3 WR Taurian Washington, and true Freshman CB Christian Bryant who showed some explosiveness at the scrimmage.

4. Colorado is working with the Ohio State Buckeyes to schedule a visit to the Shoe in 2011 that would be a one time game netting the Buffaloes about $2 million for the one time visit. The deal has not been agreed upon yet, but it is expected to get done soon. The game would be scheduled for October 15th in 2011.

5. Melvin Fellows has turned it up a notch. The top 10 DE prospect out of High School was forced to Redshirt last season due to a calf injury, but in the offseason, was able to bulk up 33 pounds and now comes in at 265. In practice, he has been off a bit on the playbook, but it's coming around and when he's on, he's been a major disruptive force in the backfield. Fellows is currently backing up Cameron Heyward and is considered the #4 DE behind starters Heyward and Nathan Williams, and behind Williams backup Solomon Thomas. Just a redshirt Freshman, the fact that Fellows is already in the two deep means that you can expect big things from this kid over the next 3-4 years.

6. Former top 15 CB out of High School, Travis Howard, has emerged as the #3 CB behind starters Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence. Howard, just a Sophomore, has displayed a sound awareness of where he's supposed to be on the field and has shown outstanding athletic ability overall. The Buckeyes stand to lose both CB's next season, so Howard is a lock to move into one of those positions. Behind him is a race between Junior Donnie Evege, Redshirt Freshman Corey Brown, and true Freshman Dominic Clarke. Both Brown and Clarke were very highly touted out of High School, but Evege was more of a three star guy who has developed. The three are battling for the starting CB position next year opposite Howard. Howard has been working with the starters now that Torrence has been hampered by a hamstring injury. The Buckeyes starting CB tandem is the best in the Big Ten and probably top 10 in the nation.

7. Keep your eye on true Freshman Johnathan Hankins. The 335 lbs. Freshman DT is the biggest man on the team and not your traditional smaller, more explosive OSU DT. But the Coaching staff felt he was simply too good to pass up and word on the street is that now that the Freshman is down from 350 lbs., he has shown a nice burst. His conditioning is his primary concern, so you may only see him in limited action, but Cameron Heyward said the kid is so good that before he leaves OSU, he could become the next Dan Wilkinson. High praise from a future 1st Round Draft pick.

8. OSU starting CB Chimdi Chekwa enters the season as the #5 CB prospect for the 2011 NFL Draft, which likely makes him a 2nd Round pick in Kiper's eyes. We'll see if he can improve that stock and put himself into the 1st Round before season's end. Chekwa is a three year starter at OSU and preseason All Big Ten at the position. He's a cornerstone of the Defense and is the closest thing OSU has to a lock down CB. His primary weakness is he's slightly undersized at just 6' and 190 lbs. for someone with high 4.4 speed. Elite CB's are typically in the low 4.4's or high 4.3's. His production on the field has to offset this and so far in his career, it has.

9. Sidenote: The Buckeye Basketball team continues it's dominant recruiting, landing LaQuinton Ross, the #14 SF in the country to next year's recruiting class. Here's a clip of Ross, who is known for his near unlimited range and smooth stroke from behind the arc, despite being 6'7". Scouting reports say that he can easily play the 2 and that with his wingspan and still developing frame, 6'8" or 6'9" are possible for this 17 year old.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsb4hsGH6kk

10. Terrelle Pryor continues to show marked improvement in the passing game in practice, but that is practice. The first true test of his development will be Miami. Don't expect the Buckeyes to come out throwing the ball 30-40 times a game. They are too strong across the OL (4 returning starters up front) and in the backfield (truly 5 deep) to not continue to rely primarily on the running game in traditional Tressel ball style to wear down opposing Defenses. I expect the Bucks to take a couple shots downfield each game (maybe 3 deep balls per half against good teams), but to grind it out up front and use better decision making by Pryor and the threat of his legs to allow him to take what the Defense is giving them. I anticipate we'll see a higher completion percentage, lower turnover numbers, and more efficient passing game, but not likely an explosion in passing numbers or TD's. For Pryor to win the Heisman, the Bucks have to run the table and he needs to have a dominant TD/INT ratio with solid passing and rushing stats (but not nation leading).

11. Word is that backup OT Marcus Hall, in the two deep at RT but working a bit at left, may have an academic issue that could force him to redshirt this year. Hall is a former top 10 OT in the nation and his loss to the team would mean that true Freshman Andrew Norwell, a Scout.com top 5 OT in the nation, but still very undersized at 6'6", but just 270 lbs., has been working into the two deep. The original plan was to redshirt Norwell and let him learn the system and pack on about 20-30 lbs. this year so he could see the field as a 6'6", 290-300 lbs. redshirt Freshman, but things change. Norwell is known for his incredible athleticism for a man his size and the fact that his frame is thought to be able to carry 320-330 lbs. fairly easily. He just has a lot of growing to do and may not hit that size until he's in his third season.

12. The Buckeyes have two Corey Browns on the roster and both are Freshman. One is a redshirt and plays DB/CB and the other is a WR who appears to have locked up the #5 WR spot and is a true Freshman. Both are top 15 prospects in the nation at their positions out of High School and the WR Brown is thought to possess the skills that could have him seeing significant playing time by year end. The top five WR's for the Buckeyes as of today are DeVier Posey and Dane Sanzenbacher starting, Taurian Washington as the #3, Chris Fields as the #4, and Brown as the #5. Posey is a big bodied WR with excellent speed and solid hands (but not spectacular). Sanzenbacher is like Anthony Gonzalez, but slower. He has unbelievable hands and excellent awareness in the Offense, always coming down with the big grab. Washington is a physical talent with decent size and speed, but has never played well enough to crack the lineup. With Cris Carter's kid transferring due to academics, Washington will get his shot in his Senior season. Chris Fields is a smaller, burner type, who could get work in the return game, as well. And Brown has decent size, great speed, and outstanding playmaking ability that could see the youngster climbing the depth chart as he gets more familiar in the Offense. He could be the next great OSU WR before he leaves here.

13. The top four LB's on the St. Louis Rams are all Ohio State Buckeyes. Their starting lineup is James Laurinitis in the middle with Na'il Diggs and Larry Grant on the outside. Their 4th LB and the backup OLB on both sides is Bobby Carpenter, recently traded to the Rams from Dallas. Nobody expected Grant to jump Carpenter in the starting lineup, but this has never before happened in NFL history where the top four LB's on a team are all from the same college.

My thoughts on the Buckeyes is the game on September 11 with Miami, win that on then go to Wisconsin udefeated and a great shot at the national title, lose and who knows how they will play the rest of the season.

I think Pryor will have a good season and play good in about 10 games and the 2 he doesn't, will Ohio State still win just have to wait and see. Speaking of Buckeye quarterbacks, I was visiting some family in Ohio recently and they were telling about a quartback at the high school they went to that's coming in next season to backup Pryor and take over the next season. I think they are showcasing him on ESPNU this Sunday. On Pryor, I do like his receivers with Sanzenbacher and Posey

I have seen a prediction of them in national title game this year, I think they will lose one, probably get by Miami, but slip up to Wisco or Iowa and get a Rose Bowl invite or another BCS Bowl.

I have seen the light on dOSU. I agree they are the "class" of the Big 10 as you put it... and they are doing it with more "class" since Cooper was at the helm. Frankly, I have such negative feelings for the way SEC approaches the "student athlete" that I want to beat them soooooo soooo baaaaad during Bowl season. I know that dOSU is our best hope. While I hold them in disdain for being the football factory they are, I have to admit they are no longer the dummies of the Big 10 with Nebraska on board. And like I said before, I like Tressel. When I root for dOSU in December/January... I do it for the conference and for that guy... but certainly not for their meathead fans.


ok maybe I root for THESE fans...

Don't forget that Michigan was the alternative choice. Allowing him to go their rival was not an option.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

QB: Terrelle Pryor struggled in the Buckeyes latest scrimmage against a Defense expected to challenge for #1 overall in the nation this season. He started the scrimmage 3 of 11 and finished just 10 of 24 in a situational setup, but was able to conclude with a 25 yard laser beam to WR Taurian Washington for a TD. Also, Kenny Guiton, more of an athletic, strong arm QB may have passed Joe Bauserman on the depth chart at QB. Bauserman, a 4th year Junior, is more of a traditional pocket passer, and as a minor league baseball player, has a big time arm, although he struggles with downfield accuracy.

RB: Jaamal Berry has the lead on the #3 RB job with the Bucks behind Brandon Saine and Boom Herron (expected to get about 90% of the meaningful carries this season). The #3 back will likely get any meaningful carries that don't got to the top two backs and Berry, a redshirt Freshman, is the former #1 RB in the nation out of High School and is no longer hampered by the hamstring issues that took a chiropractor to correct in the offseason. He's shown burst and explosion this Camp. Also, expect Carlos Hyde, another true Freshman and a big power back at 6' and 240 lbs. to get the goalline touches if they don't go to Herron. He's looked good and quick of feet for his size. Jordan Hall continues to look impressive as the #4 guy in the backfield in terms of feature back carries, but his biggest use could be in the return game.

WR/TE: Of the two Corey Browns on the roster, it's Philly Brown that is making the biggest impact. The true Freshman has displayed an incredible ability to pick up the Offense and shown such incredible explosiveness that the Bucks have special packages designed to get him the ball on quick screens and reverses. He's also slotted in the punt return game. Meanwhile, Devier Posey continues to look like a top flight WR snagging a boatload of grabs including a sideline circus catch during the scrimmage.

OL: At the sole open OL spot, there is still no decision. Mike Adams continues to battle Andy Miller and both have rotated with the starters about an equal amount. I still give Adams a slight lead, but not by much.

DE: Starting DE Nathan Williams is the only major injury in camp and with his knee sprain, he is expected to be out at least another 1-3 weeks, but is slated to return for the Miami game.

DT: The depth at DT looks good with redshirt Freshman Adam Bellamy and true Freshman Johnathan Hankins (320 lbs monster) playing well enough that they are likely to earn playing time. Junior Garrett Goebells, himself a former top 10 DT in the nation from Illinois, is also looking at getting some work. Starters Johnny Simon and Dexter Larimore are better than all of them and you could also see big Cameron Heyward slide inside in certain packages, so expect the Buckeyes to rotate as many as six bodies inside at DT this year. They should be constantly fresh and 100% all game.

LB: Andrew Sweat, the former #1 MLB prospect in the nation out of High School, may have unseated Entienne Sabino, his fellow classmate in their respective recruiting class, who was the #1 OLB prospect in that class. Both have been rotating with the starters in one of the most heated camp battles with Sabino getting most of the reps for the bulk of the offseason, but lately, it's been Sweat getting those reps and most insiders are saying he may have yanked the job away from Sabino heading into the season.

CB:

S:

K/P/Return:

Other: Buckeyes first game is in 9 days against Marshall in the opener on Thursday night. First game of the College Football season. Also, there is a lot of talk materializing that OSU/Michigan will no longer be the final game of the regular season as both teams are potentially looking at opposite divisions in the realignment.

I like the way you think.

This is the best Ohio State assemblage of talent I have seen since 1998, which Chris Spielman had called the best Ohio State team ever put together. The outcome of the season truly rests on Terrelle Pryor. He took a major step last season, especially toward the end of the year, playing within himself. This season, the next major step has to be taken. Pryor has to become elite. He needs to account for just under 300 total yards a game (no more is needed since OSU will run the ball about 60% of the time), maintain a minimum of a 3:1 TD:INT ratio, and perhaps most importantly, throw first, but not be afraid to run for the chains to pick up another set of downs and keep drives alive. Don't worry about people's perception as long as the sticks are moving.

I think this team loses 1 game at most and is arguably in the best position of any team in the country to get to and win a National Title.

The Big 10 schedule makers certainly did there part to help the Buckeyes this year.

OSU should not lose a game this year, but they will, probably 2.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

The worst part about living in Ohio aside from the trailer trash that permeates the Southern region of the state is the OSU fans. Its a college that almost none of you super fans went to, keep it in your pants already. I've been in some offices here where people have their various degrees framed and on the walls, yet the rest of their office is covered in OSU shit (which is not were the degree is from). The chant that breaks out in just about any social gathering is pathetic. Be a fan on Saturday and cheer during the game. Talk it up all week before a BCS bowl game. Anytime other than that, shut the fuck up already. I truly hope the U comes in and kicks the shit out of them. I have lived in Georgia, Florida, Arkansas and Tennessee...in the heart of SEC country...and none of those fans were on the same level of annoying as the OSU fans. Imagine the level of douche of a hardcore Gator fan and then imagine 8 out of 10 people being one and you have the state of Ohio.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Not really since they have to travel to the #2 and #3 Big Team teams this year.

Maybe so, but they avoid NU until next year.

Even I can't say that with a straight face!

By the way, NSJ... I think you need a new avatar. Consider this one...

I've had the Chapman avatar since March and he's being promoted this week. Can't change it now. When I switch back to the Cats, it will likely be:

+1

I hear Adrian Clayborn wants to eat Dan persa for breakfast on the 13th of November. Poor guy.

Clayborn is gonna scare ME... and I'm sitting in the 11th row!

Get into my belly!

This is worth the 44 second investment. The OU mascot takles Brutus as the Buckeyes hit the field!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=577hN8tQM6g



COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio University has apologized to Ohio State and its fans after the school's Bobcat mascot tackled the Brutus Buckeye mascot, touching off an impromptu wrestling match before Saturday's game at Ohio Stadium.

In addition, the student who was dressed in the Bobcat costume has been banned from any further affiliation with Ohio athletics.

The Bobcat first went after Brutus as the OSU mascot led the Buckeyes onto the field for the game.

Moments later, the Bobcat mascot climbed on the back of Ohio State's mascot and rode him to the ground. The two then tussled in the end zone while fans booed.

An e-mail sent by Ohio's assistant athletic director for media relations, Jason Corriher, said the department does not condone such behavior and regretted the negative effect of the mascot's actions on the relationship between the two schools



Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/f ... z106foh7oV