2008 Ohio State Buckeyes College Football Predictions

The Buckeyes were expected to be down in 2007, but they rose to the top. 18 of 22 starters return to put Ohio State in great position to win another Big Ten title, but could Wisconsin, Illinois, or Michigan actually be better? Jimmy Boyd reveals all in his 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes predictions and season preview.
 

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Offense

Nine Starters are back on this side of the ball led by Heisman Trophy candidate Chris Wells. Wells rushed for 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns while playing with a bum ankle and broken hand. Imagine what this guy is capable of healthy - probably the Heisman. QB Todd Boeckman surprised last season, but his late season struggles were well documented. He'll have to put them behind him and become a leader in the huddle if this team wants a shot at the national title. Ohio State stole freshman phenom QB Terrelle Pryor from rival Michigan. He is regarded as the nation's number one recruit and became the first player in Pennsylvania high school football history to run and throw for more than 4,000 yards in a career. Expect him to be inserted and used the way Troy Smith was in the 2005 and 2006 seasons at times this year. The offensive line is solid with three strong NFL prospects: tackle Alex Boone, guard Steve Rehring and center Jim Cordle.

Defense

With Butkus Award winner James Laurinaitis and stud cornerback Malcolm Jenkins turning down the NFL, the Buckeyes will once again have one of the best defenses in the nation. Ohio State led the nation last season in yards allowed per game (233.0) and points allowed per game (12.8) and this year could be even better. The loss of Vernon Gholston who set a school record with 14 sacks might not even affect the defense. Defensive end Lawrence Wilson was projected to put up similar big numbers before breaking his leg in the season opener last season. He's been compared to former OSU great Will Smith and should be poised for a big year. Ohio State is "Linebacker U" and Laurinaitus and Marcus Freeman form one of the best linebacker duos in the nation. The secondary will be solid again led by Jenkins.

Special Teams

The Buckeyes boast one of the best punters in the nation in A.J. Trapasso. He averaged 41.5 yards per punt and was a Ray Guy Award semifinalist last season. The field goal game must improve. Ryan Pretorius had four kicks blocked last season so he has to work on getting more height on his kicks. The Buckeyes also can benefit from a better return game to give them better field position, putting more pressure on the defense. There 17.7 yards per kickoff return average ranked 117th in the nation.

Prediction – 1st in Big Ten

With 18 returning position players and their kicker and punter all coming back, the Buckeyes will find the top spot in the Big Ten again. With an exceptional running game and a great defense, if Boeckman takes care of the football, the Bucks could go undefeated and finish ahead of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Penn State.

Make sure you take a look at all of Jimmy's 2008 Big Ten predictions articles to see where he has your favorite team placing. And you can count on his college football picks to produce the most winners in the industry once again. Sign up for one of his picks packages today and find out just how easy it is to beat the college football spreads with Jimmy Boyd calling the shots.

Read more about the Buckeyes in our who will win the 2008 Big Ten football conference article.

June 2nd, 2008