Next up on the Triple Option Attack is #2 Ohio State
Music to listen to: Backstabbers by The O’Jays
I will be darned if I pick Rascal Flats even though its members are from Columbus, Ohio. I can’t stand the lead singer’s voice. I could go with Dwight Yoakam, who went to Ohio State and is a fine actor and singer but I’m going to stretch my range out with this choice.
The O’Jays are from Canton, Ohio but that’s in the state and darn it, I want to play some of the group’s music.
The Story: Besides Notre Dame, Ohio State may be the most polarizing college football program in the nation. You either admire the consistency the Buckeyes have had in the Big Ten during the Jim Tressel era or you dislike the easy schedule that the Buckeyes play every season before losing their bowl game to a better team, usually from the SEC.
However, Ohio State is coming off of an impressive Rose Bowl win over Oregon and return a majority of its elite players including the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.
Last Season: Finished the year 11-2 and won another Big Ten championship. The two losses came at home to Ohio State and on the road at Purdue.
Offense: The face of the team is junior quarterback Terrelle Pryor. He had an excellent second half of last season and capped it off with a Rose Bowl MVP performance against Oregon. He was one of the most hyped high school recruits ever and has had a good career. He stills struggles with his throwing accuracy and turnovers but is one of the best athletes in college football. The Buckeyes would be wise to expand the playbook to take advantage of the physical skills, especially in the running game.
The Buckeyes will have a slew of running backs to run behind an offensive line led by elite talents such as left guard Justin Boren and center Michael Brewster.
Defense: If the Buckeyes are going to win another national championship, the defense will have to be the leading unit of the squad, even more than the offense.
The top linebackers on Ohio State are Brian Rolle and Ross Homan but have up to three or four guys who have the talent to be All-Big 10 performers. The defensive line and secondary have top talent as well.
The Schedule
Sept. 2 Marshall
Sept. 11 Miami
Sept. 18 Ohio
Sept. 25 Eastern Michigan
Oct. 2 at Illinois
Oct. 9 Indiana
Oct. 16 at Wisconsin
Oct. 23 Purdue
Oct. 30 at Minnesota
Nov. 13 Penn State
Nov. 20 at Iowa
Nov. 27 Michigan
A typical Ohio State schedule. One, maybe two tough conference games, at least one contest against a MAC team, two if it feeling extra special and one out of conference game so show that it belongs in the national discussion.
This year’s schedule is a joke. Three MAC teams, seriously! The Buckeyes do host Miami and have to travel to Iowa and Wisconsin but compared to the competition of top teams in the SEC, Big 12 and maybe even the ACC, this is weak.
If Ohio State loses more than two games this year, it should be ashamed of itself.
Most Famous Sports Alum: There is a big amount of alumni to choose from but it comes down to two guys, Olympic gold medal winning track and field star Jesse Owens and legendary golfer Jack Nicholas.
It was a tough choice because both men transcended their respective sports and may be the top-50 of known athletes all-time. But a choice had to be made.
Celebrity Alum “Crush:” I’m taking Melina Kanakaredes, star of CSI: New York. I’m been feeling her since the Providence TV show. Hate if you want but she can get it anytime.
Prediction: 11-1
The Buckeyes are good but they will find a way to lose one contest, probably at Iowa. However they will do enough to win the Big Ten again and possibly appear in the national title game
Sports Inquirer Top-25 Preseason College Football Poll:
The Sports Inquirer 
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