I don't think we really need to worry about this one. They went 4-8 last year. I mean maybe their 3-4 defense could ra... lolno.
SDSU is a lot better than you probably realize. Last year they went a respectable 9-4 in the MWC including a win over Boise State. SDSU brings back their veteran quarterback but will also be instituting a new offense. I suspect SDSU could keep it close for a quarter before Ohio State runs away with it.
Last season Cal came to Columbus and kept the game a lot closer than they had any right to. This was also the first game that made people question Fickell's defense. QB Zach Maynard has departed and Allan Bridgford will likely take over the position. In the midst of coaching changes themselves, Cal should have their hands full with an Ohio State team eager to show they are legit national title contenders.
derp
Finally we get to Big 10 play. Wisconsin won the Big 10 last year by virtue of the two schools with better records being ineligible. Wisconsin also has a new head coach after Bielema took the Arkansas job. On the defensive line Wisc. returns 4 starters while in the secondary they are severely lacking. They also are lacking in receivers. That defensive line could be a stumbling block for Braxton Miller but if he works on his passing game he could put up huge numbers against a vulnerable secondary.
Northwestern exceeded expectations last year going 10-3 including a bowl win over an SEC team in Mississippi State. Northwestern returns much of that team including quarterback Kain Colter and all Big 10 running back Venric Mark. Ohio State didn't play Northwestern last year so this will be a new experience for some Buckeyes. This is also an away game for Ohio State. This arguably could be the toughest matchup for Ohio State to date. If that questionable defense isn't much better this could be a stumbling block for OSU.
2012 was a disaster for Iowa. This is also another team Ohio State missed last year. Iowa didn't do that well in recruiting, not picking up a single four star recruit. OSU gets Iowa at home and I would look for them to run away with this game. That being said, historically Iowa has always played OSU well.
Considering everything that happened Penn State did exceptionally well last season, Bill O'Brien should have been coach of the year. On the recruiting trail he also exceeded all expectations pulling in the second highest rated QB available. That quarterback will be squarely in the battle for the starting position this summer alons with a junior transfer. The tight-end position is also key for Penn State bringing back good players from last season and adding the top tight-end recruit in the nation. I was really worried about this game last year when it was at Penn State but Ohio State prevailed thanks in part to Braxton Miller's play. This year it's in Columbus and Ohio State should have a better team, but so should Penn State who will also invariably be itching to knock off OSU and avenge the loss from last season. Penn State will still not be playing for anything other than respect while OSU could very well have a national title hopes on the line. In my way-too-early prediction I would look for OSU to come out by 10.
Purdue is another of those teams that as an Ohio State fan no matter how they are ranked I feel you need to take them seriously. Memories of 2011 still remain fresh. Purdue quietly put together a decent recruiting class that includes a top ten quarterback in Danny Etling. While this is an away game I don't think Purdue is quite there enough to challenge Ohio State.
Another disastrous team from last year Illinois looks to make some gains under second year head coach Tim Beckman. Illinois put together another decent recruiting class, getting a top 10 QB themselves. But again, I don't think Illinois is anywhere near where they need to be to challenge Ohio State in that division.
This is the game that officially put Fickell on my shit-list. Giving up 49 points to Indiana is inexcusable. Indiana's own spread offense was almost too much for Ohio State to handle and this will be a good barometer of how much it has improved since last year. In the end Ohio State should be able to come away with a much easier victory.
Thankfully this is an actual rivalry again both on the field and in recruiting. Though, Michigan may have missed out on their best chance to beat Ohio State last season. Who will Michigan replace Denard Robinson with? Obviously this is one of those games that you need to always be prepared for and if OSU comes to Ann Arbor unbeaten with a chance to play for a national title on the line we will be in for the game of the century part 2. I think Ohio State will be favored regardless, perhaps by a touchdown or so.
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