Spartan Nation 2008 Big Ten Football scouting report: The Ohio State Buckeyes
Spartan Nation 2008 Big Ten Football scouting report: The Ohio State BuckeyesÂ
Biggest Game:Â September 13, 2008 @USC
Predicted record:Â 12-0 (8-0)
Projected Big Ten standing: 1st   Â
Returning Starters:Â OFFENSE:Â 10 DEFENSE:Â 9Â Lettermen return:Â 53Â Â Â
Head Coach:Â Jim Tressel 8th Season at OSU Last Season:Â 11-2 Lifetime:Â 208-73-2
Top assistant:Â OC Jim Bollman
There is so much to say about America’s best football team. A good friend of mine who is a scout for a NFL (AFC) team however says it best, “Top to bottom this could be the best college football team ever assembled. Sure some players are better, but top to bottom this is unreal.â€
That is some pretty impressive praise. Tressel is hands down the best coach in the nation and unlike anyone else (Dantonio showed signs last season, but he needs more of his recruits before we judge) he uses so many players that each season he isn’t forced to rebuild.
Tressel’s critics will say that this team is a farce because they have lost in the last two national title games. Last year’s team was very young and the simple fact that they made it was a testament to both Tressel’s immense talent and that college football had a mass of losses at the end. The fact that he got them there says it all and the moaning and groaning is from sanctimonious and jealous fans. This team has earned and gotten all that it deserves.
Turning to the defense, this team is big, fast and strong on the DL. Follow that up with the best group of LB’s in the nation and the best secondary in the country. One management member of an NFL team told me that if you projected this defensive unit five years ahead they would be one of the best in the NFL. That is high praise.
On offense, they return Boeckman at QB. He isn’t spectacular, and that is O.K. He makes smart plays and protects the ball. They also added the number one QB in the nation (that, of course, corn and blue fans never wanted) who is versatile and will be put into a lot of positions to demonstrate his speed. One thing that people overlook with Pryor is that at this level there is a lot of speed. He has an uncanny ability to move his upper body while never changing his foot direction thus making guys miss and look silly trying to tackle air. Another great attribute he has is exceptional footwork. Now before you send in the emails accusing me of anointing him the next savior, he does have some growing up to do, but who of us didn’t at 18?
If there is a weakness on the offense it would be at fullback, but Tressel has proven with this particular position while at OSU that he can plug in a kid and make it happen. Although they did lose multiple FB’s they also had multiple with experience so calling it a weakness is like comparing Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift. You may like one better than the other, but all rate awfully high on the ‘Hondo Hotometer.’
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Talking about the defense is a waste of your time. Two words: They’re Good!
Special teams is more of the same. Statistically one of the best in the nation last year and everyone is back. They, like the D, will be the best in the country.
The September 13 game at USC is one of the many reasons I love Tressel. He takes the Izzo approach but in football. He will play anyone, anywhere. That game is the National Championship game. It is the only game on the schedule that you have to take an extra hard look at, but again even with a very good USC team the Bucks are just that much better. The winner of this game will play in the National Championship game.
Spartan fans need to remember that Tressel wanted the MSU job badly and that MSU “Didn’t feel like he was ready.â€Â That said, Tressel was never bitter and in fact encouraged Mark Dantonio to take the job. In fact, when MD called for advice it was Tressel who said, “You have to take the job, Mark.â€Â The MSU/OSU relationship is more than just a mutual dislike of Michigan. The staffs are very close and have multiple ties to each program and each other including Mike Tressel who is an exceptional coach on the MSU staff.
If you are a purist who loves the greatest game in the history of the world that we affectionately call football; if you are a fan that sees each and every hike of the ball as a glorious gift from the creator; then watching it played well is a treat. OSU teams are fundamentally sound and they are among the best coached in the nation. That should excite the Spartan Nation, as they are the blue print Dantonio is following.
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