Suggested Team Slogan If At Second You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again

What we learned in 2007 Not bad for a down year. After losing Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr. and other talents, last year was supposed to be a down year at Ohio State, but they still found their way back to the BCS National Championship game. Partly because the Big Ten was down, and largely because other teams blew their opportunity to jump over the Buckeyes. I never thought it was possible for a team to get to the title game twice in a row and somehow have their reputation take a hit. The Buffalo Bills called and want their scrutiny back.

On the bright side, as if a BCS Championship loss were a big negative, we learned the Buckeyes would have a hell of a backfield returning. Todd Boeckman is 1st team preseason All-Big Ten, as is Chris "Beanie" Wells who could run his way to a Heisman.

We also learned how badly James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins love college football and want to win a title, turning down a 1st round draft selection to return to Columbus for their season seasons.

Expectations in '08 National Championship. Anything less is a disappointment, although I believe some fans would settle for being competitive in the title game.

The Buckeyes should run away with the Big Ten crown this season with Boeckman, Wells, Robiskie and Alex Boone returning as All-Big Ten talent, if not All-American on offense. The defense must overcome the loss of freakish defensive end Vernon Gholston, but replacing talent on D has never been an issue under Jim Tressel.

Expect James Laurinaitis to wrap-up the Butkus award by mid-season. I don't think Beanie Wells will win the Heisman, but I do expect him to visit New York in early December.

Now, the man everyone is expecting to see: Terrelle Pryor. Tressel's initial depth chart listed him as a third stringer this week, but Sweater Vest confirmed Pryor will play Saturday and will continue to get snaps. Boeckman is a consistent under center and avoids the big errors, but its hard not to think about the multi-dimensional threats of the nation's No. 1 recruit. So expect increased workload from him, and a significant role as the Michigan game nears, a la Tim Tebow his freshman year.

What could hold them back The SEC. I'm a Big Ten fan, and even though these Buckeyes are seeking revenge with an experienced roster, I still can't comfortably predict they'll stop an SEC team in the National Title game.

More particularly, if we're to be overly picking, I'd say that the Buckeyes defensive line isn't up to its usual standards and isn't what it was last year. So there is that possibility a team could power run themselves over the Buckeyes, with Wisconsin and Michigan State as the only possibilities.

We also know the Buckeyes are sometimes the victim of a spread it out, speed-attack and there just happens to be up the road in Ann Arbor.

Big Men on Campus Beanie Wells is a stud, but Laurinaitis and Jenkins get my BMOC love for turning down cash (maybe?) to stay on a college campus and toss around some Big Ten foes. Not to mention these guys just look like the prototypical players at their respective positions.

Cheerleader Grade



We have a special thing for Ohio girls, having gone to school down in that State. They love their football. That said, they still can't be excused for this gaffe A-



Schedule and Prediction

Aug. 30	Youngstown State W
Sept. 6	Ohio U. W
Sept. 13	at USC L
Sept. 20	Troy W
Sept. 27	Minnesota W
Oct. 4	at Wisconsin W
Oct. 11	Purdue W
Oct. 18	at Michigan State W
Oct. 25	Penn State W
Nov. 8	at Northwestern W
Nov. 15	at Illinois W
Nov. 22	Michigan W

11-1 (8-0 Big Ten) -- More outrage from the Big Ten haters as Ohio State makes a return trip to the BCS National Championship Game. Best case to halt a three year streak are at Michigan State and at Wisconsin, but I just don't see those teams being able to play the perfect game necessary. March on down the field again...

Your thoughts and predictions?