College Football Preseason Top 25: #3 Ohio State

The Buckeyes enter 2010 with a stacked line-up but Al Dannity isn’t ready to put them in the BCS title game just yet.

The schedule
The early part of Ohio State’s schedule is all about the U. The Buckeyes welcome Miami on September 11 in their only serious challenge before conference play gets under way.

A road trip at Wisconsin represents the big test for Ohio State in Big Ten play. The Badgers haven’t forgotten the beat-down they suffered in the Horseshoe last season. Wisconsin has a stacked team, capable of challenging Jim Tressel’s charges. The Buckeyes welcome Penn State on November 13 before travelling to Iowa a week later. The season ends with The Game, as Michigan pays a visit to the Horseshoe in a match-up that could decide the fate of Rich Rodriguez.

The players
Ohio State’s expectations for 2010 rocketed after a tremendous showing by Terrelle Pryor in the Rose Bowl. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. The Buckeyes ranked 103rd in the nation in passing offense last season, recording just 173.8 yards per game through the air. These are not the numbers of a BCS title contender but Pryor’s allure as a dual-threat quarterback earns him some time to prove this offense can take a step forward in 2010. In all Ohio State returns 10 starters on offense and retains the one-two punch at running back of Brandon Saine and Dan Herron.

The Buckeyes’ defense was one of the best in the nation last season, giving up just 12.5 points per game. Only 6 starters return however, so a lot of pressure will be put on the shoulders of its veterans. Cameron Heyward and Dexter Larimore should ensure the defensive line remains stout. Ross Homan and Bryan Rolle have a bit more work to do in maintaining the linebacker corps but the big College Football betting questions are in the secondary. Starters Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell are gone, forcing the Buckeyes to reload.

Devin Barclay is back as kicker for his senior year. Last season Barclay hit the winning field goal in overtime against Iowa, a score that proved decisive in sending Ohio State to the Rose Bowl. His accuracy beyond 40 yards however is a concern.

The forecast
For all those concerns, Ohio State should run the table and pick up yet another Big Ten title under Jim Tressel. The major emphasis there is on the word ‘should’. Just like Texas, ranking the Buckeyes is easier said than done.

I have Ohio State pencilled in for a perfect 12-0 season. Of the top three teams on this list however, the Buckeyes are the best placed to prove me wrong and drop at least one game. Any one of Miami, Penn State, and Wisconsin could spring an upset if the Buckeyes’ offense stutters. Iowa’s defense will prove daunting in Kinnick Stadium and never count out a desperate RichRod pulling off a stunning upset in The Game. I like Ohio State in all these games but there are two teams I like just that little bit more. Tomorrow we reveal our #2 team.