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College Football Odds to Win 2008 Big Ten

Written by Jimmy Boyd

No surprise here with the college football odds, look for the Ohio State Buckeyes to continue their domination of the Big Ten and win it once again. The Buckeyes return ten offensive and nine defensive starters from a team that played in the BCS National Championship game. Add star-studded freshman Terrelle Pryor to the mix and this team has many ways it can beat you.

The Buckeyes offense looks to have many big play threats for the 2008 season. It starts with running back Chris “Beanie” Wells. Wells, who is already being talked about as a potential Heisman winner, looks to improve on a sophomore campaign in which he rushed for 1,600 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. Wells is your typical hard-nose runner who else has the ability to break big plays. He will be the go to guy in the Buckeyes offense and look for him to carry the ball close to 20 times each and every game. Also look for sophomore running back Brandon Saine to provide some depth at the running back position. Saine has great speed and playmaking ability. Wells can’t carry the football every time, so look for Saine to provide a spark to the offense.

Moving to the wide receiver position, the Buckeyes look to be stacked here as well. Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline look to be the top two targets on the Buckeyes team. Each has big play ability and are sure-handed wide receivers giving Todd Boeckman two go to wide outs. Opposing defensives will have trouble stopping both Robiskie and Hartline as they both have All-Big Ten ability. Ray Small and Dane Sanzenbacher will help add depth at the wide receiver position.

Depth at running back, depth at wide receiver, and yes the Buckeyes have depth at the quarterback position as well. Todd Boeckman had a great junior season, as he exceeded expectations of most college football followers. He threw for over 2,300 yards and 25 touchdowns. Most importantly he helped manage games and lead the Buckeyes to the National Title game. Behind Boeckman is freshman Terrelle Pryor. Pryor has is an outstanding playmaker, making plays with his arm and his legs. Well most are excited to see Pryor on the field; he won’t be the starting quarterback. Look for Pryor to be used similarly to the way Florida used Tim Tebow in 2006. Jim Tressel will design creative ways to get Pryor on the field. Pryor will probably be on the field for around 15 plays per game and look for him to get around eight to twelve touches. Pryor could be the missing piece that Ohio State needs to win the National Title.

The final key this outstanding offense is the big guys up front. Ohio State has a great O-Line year in and year out. The Buckeyes return four upfront and have a lot of depth at the each position. Look for Ohio State to ware down many opponents come the fourth quarter.

As good as the Buckeyes offense is, their defense is even better. Upfront Ohio State is filled with pass rushers and run stoppers. Lawrence Wilson and Cameron Hayward have great speed for defensive ends and they will be able to get tons of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. In the middle Ohio State returns two great linemen. Robert Rose and Thaddeus Gibson will jam the middle and make things hectic for running backs.

Ohio State’s linebackers could be the best in the country. James Laurinaitis, one of the best linebackers in the country, returns for his senior season. Alongside Laurinaitis is Marcus Freeman, both of which recorded over 100 tackles last year. Curtis Terry will be the third linebacker and although he won’t put up numbers like Laurinaitis and Freeman, he will have a very successful season.

Ohio State’s secondary is loaded with speed and playmakers and they will have a lot of depth at these positions. Malcom Jenkins, a Thorpe finalist, will lead the way and provide great leadership and will have to ability to change coverage schemes on the field. Donald Washington, Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell are all returning starters in the secondary. Combine them with Jenkins and it will be very difficult to pass the football on this team.

The thing that stands out about this Ohio State team is they have so many weapons on both sides of the ball and can beat you in many ways. They can play the quick strike game, but can also slow things down and pound it out on the ground. The Big Ten is not nearly as tough as the SEC or Big 12 in my opinion, so you have to love the Buckeyes to roll through Big Ten play. The Buckeyes only true tests with be Penn State and on the road at Wisconsin, but these are tests this Ohio State team will pass with ease. Look for Ohio State to cruise through the Big Ten unbeaten. Ohio State will win the Big Ten in 2008.

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