Ohio State Buckeyes 2008 College Football Team presentation

Ohio State's last two seasons ended in heartbreak with losses in the national title game. Two years ago, Florida routed the Buckeyes, 41-14. Last season was another enemy of the SEC, LSU, who stomped Ohio State, 38-24. With almost all holders of return, I expect Ohio State to make another run in the national championship.

Junior running back Chris "Beanie" Wells coming off a season in which he rushed for over 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns. Included in that total yards is 222 yards performance against rival Michigan. It stands out as the best performance in its history by a Buckeye running against Michigan. Wells also recorded 146 yards in the BCS National Championship Game against LSU.

Quarterback Field Todd Boeckman returns for his senior season. With Wells in the backfield, and a veteran offensive line protect him, Boeckman should have little trouble for the ball to your target favorite wide receivers Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline. Robiskie led the team last season with 55 receptions for 935 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hartline was not far behind Robiskie with 52 receptions of his own. Hartline and Robiskie should stay healthy, because Ohio State has no clear third receiving threat at this time.

Defensively, the Buckeyes were almost invincible last season. Ohio State ranked first nationally in points allowed per game (12.8), passing yards allowed per game (150.2) and total yards per game (233). They were also third nationally in yards allowed per game (82.9).

Ohio State has a 4-3 defense that gets pressure pass and redirected regularly moves half when linebacker James Laurinaitis reside. Laurinaitis, a Butkus Award winner, has a size, speed and all the intangibles. Outside linebacker Marcus Freeman was second on the team in tackles (behind Laurinaitis) each of the last two seasons and I can easily see this happening again season.

Ohio State is deep along the defensive line, allowing them to keep fresh bodies on the field at all times. The secondary is also very talented with all four starters returning, including Thorpe Award candidate Malcolm Jenkins. Jenkins, a senior cornerback, will be joined in high school by fellow cornerback Donald Washington and safety devices Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell.

Ohio State should see improvement in their kickoff return coverage in this season with the return of Aaron Pettrey, who was injured for most of last season. Punter AJ Trapasso also returns. Trapasso has much experience in putting kicks inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Ryan Pretorius, an accurate kicker, is also back for his senior season.

It would be the least bit surprised to see this team again in the national title game for the third consecutive year. They have nine starters returning on both sides of the ball, including some All-American candidate. They also have head coach Jim Tressel, who has already won a title in the national Division IA.

The defense should once again be fierce, even without Vernon Gholston. If the offense can sustain drives and limit turnovers (Boeckman threw 14 interceptions last season, Wells has a history of clumsy) then I can see Ohio State back in national title game in January 2009.

Jamal Mtshali 2009 Prep Football Highlights

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