Spartan Nation 2011 Big Ten Football Scouting Report: The Ohio State Buckeyes

 

Spartan Nation 2011 Big Ten Football Scouting Report: The Ohio State Buckeyes

Biggest Game:Â November 26, 2011, at Michigan

Predicted Record:Â 8-4 (4-4)

Projected Big Ten Standing: 5th in Big Ten Leaders Division    Â

Returning Starters: 11   OFFENSE: 7    DEFENSE:  4       Lettermen return: 48   Â

Head Coach:Â Luke Fickell 1st Season at OSU

Top assistant:Â OC Jim Bollman

With the loss of the best coach in college football, the Buckeyes get a bye year before they hire their next coach. Unless he goes to the Big Ten Championship game and wins it, Fickell has zero chance of being the head coach in 2012. He is a very good coach, but OSU is not where you go to learn.

The Buckeyes have some great assistants and talent so they will be good, but the loss of Tressel in the decisions that make huge impacts will be missed. They are better off without Pryor and there was a lot of sentiment in the program almost since he got the starting job that he was more of a headache than he was worth.

The Buckeyes have more varsity sports than almost any other school in the nation. It all runs off of the money from their football program. They have to get a big name in 2012 that will keep the faithful fired up. They should also be looking for (and I think they will) a new President and AD. The talent is there for a better than 8-4 season. I originally had them pegged for 10-2, but the turmoil will be too much.

September 3 Akron Win

September 10 Toledo Win

September 17 @Miami, FL Win

September 24 Colorado Win

October 1 MSU Loss

October 8 @Nebraska Loss

October 15 @Illinois Loss

October 29 Wisconsin Win

November 5 Indiana Win

November 12 @Purdue Loss

November 19 Penn State Win

November 26 @UM Win