The Ohio State Buckeyes are coming off back-to-back-to-back-to-back Big Ten Championship (co-champs in 2005 and 2008). In 2008 the Buckeyes finished 10-3, sharing the Big Ten Championship with Penn State. Ohio State will be looking to repeat the success of 2008 and hopes to do better with National Title hopes. However, this year the schedule may be slightly more difficult than 2008 with Penn State and Michigan on the road and wedge between those two Iowa on November 14th. However, USC will be at home this year of the Buckeyes and they miss Michigan State.

Offense: Key Returning Players
Ohio State only returns 5 starters on offense. We all know about Terrelle Pryor. As a true freshman has passed for over 1300 yards and ran for 631 more which culminated in 18 total touchdowns (12 passing, 6 rushing). He will be the key to the Buckeye offensive success this year. Also returning is TE Jake Ballard, a 2 year starter, and the offensive line has 3 starters returning with Jim Cordle, Bryant Browning, and Mike Brewster.

Offense: Key Losses
The Buckeyes lose their top rusher and top 2 receivers from 2008. Chris “Beenie” Wells (another who we all know) left for the NFL after rushing for nearly 1200 yards. Wide receivers Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline are both gone after leading the team in receiving for 2 seasons. Both were drafted and leave Pryor with younger targets this fall.

Defense: Key Returning Players
Most of Ohio State's defense is coming back in 2009 with 7 starters returning. Safety Kurt Coleman is the leading returning tackler with 78. He also led the team interceptions last year. Join him as the other safety is Anderson Russell who happens to be the 2nd leading returning tackler. There is also good experience coming back on the defensive line. DE Thaddeus Gibson led the Buckeye with 5 sacks last year is back along side DT Doug Worthington and DE Cameron Heyward.

Defense: Key Losses
The main losses on Ohio State's defense come at the linebacker position. The top two tacklers on the two last year, James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman are both gone. The 2 of them combined for 214 tackles last year. James Laurinaitis is not a player you can replace. He won award after award and was a 3-time All American.

Spring Media Guide: https://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87743&SPID=10408&DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLID=1435686
ESPN Spring Wrap: http://myespn.go.com/blogs/bigten/0-3-359/Ohio-State-spring-wrap.html