2009 Ohio State Football Starters

It is officially Navy week, and the intensity is heating up as we get closer and closer to the beginning of the college football season (which officially kicks off Thursday night) and the first Buckeye game of the season.

The format throughout the season will be fairly consistent on this site. Monday through Wednesday will focus on general commentary and story lines about OSU's upcoming opponent, including my weekly Top 10, while Thursday will feature my games of the week and predictions around the country and the Big Ten conference. Finally, Friday will be a final breakdown of the upcoming game and how I think the Buckeyes will fare.

Today is just an update on what will be the official starting lineup for Ohio State when they take the field against Navy (Noon, ESPN) on Saturday (* denotes returning starter).

QB- Terrelle Pryor/So./#2*

RB- Boom Herron/So./#1

WR- DeVier Posey/So./#8

WR- Taurian Washington/Jr./#5

WR- Dane Sanzenbacher/Jr./#12

TE- Jake Ballard/Sr./#86

LT- Andy Miller/Jr./#55

LG- Justin Boren/Jr./#65

C- Mike Brewster/So./#50*

RG- Bryant Browning/Jr./#70*

RT- Jim Cordle/Sr./#64*

DE- Thaddeus Gibson/Jr./#90*

DT- Doug Worthington/Sr./#84*

DT- Dexter Larimore/Jr./#72

DE- Cameron Heyward/Jr./#97*

LB- Austin Spitler/Sr./#38

LB- Brian Rolle/Jr./#36

LB- Ross Homan/Jr./#51*

CB- Chimdi Chekwa/Jr./#5*

CB- Andre Amos/Sr./#13

FS- Anderson Russell/Sr./#21*

SS- Kurt Coleman/Sr./#4*

K- Aaron Pettrey/Sr./#20

P- Jon Thoma/Sr./#48

KR- Lamaar Thomas/So./#7

KR- Boom Herron/So./#1

PR- Ray Small/Sr./#82

No real surprises here... although it is great to see that Austin Spitler and Justin Boren have responded well from their injuries. Boren is a key to the season; no doubt about it.

Signage Upgrade

The renovated interior of Ohio Stadium will now feature a new state-of-the-art smaller scoreboard on the North end, which will be accompanied on each side by illuminated 3-D retired number signs and a list of national championship teams that have worn the scarlet and grey uniforms.

I am thrilled about this for three reasons. First of all, students that sit in the South Stands (me, for instance) don't have to risk cracked vertebrae by turning their necks backwards to see a replay from the giant scoreboard. This increases comfort and an overall better game day experience. Secondly, I have been wondering why OSU doesn't feature any kind of reference to their national championship teams. Almost every other school in the country has something of the sort, yet a school that has 7 of them has zero banners reminding us all of how fortunate we are to be fans of a winning program. It's about time. Finally, it is pretty simple: night games are going to be amazing. The new signs will light up the stadium with a sense of tradition, pride and accomplishment during nationally televised night games in the Shoe from here on out, and that can only boost the atmosphere in Ohio Stadium.

Once again, did you hear that Southern Cal? It. Will. Be. Loud...

In Summation...

Wide receivers, defensive line, linebackers and secondary = STACKED.

The receivers are young but will produce big time once Pryor fully develops into a consistent passing threat.

I have to say that I think this will be a top 10 defense nationally this season. The defensive line will be the best since the 2002 and 2003 seasons, which featured Pro Bowler Will Smith, with plenty of young, fast and athletic play makers backing up the linemen. They will be a nasty bunch to deal with.

Did you hear that loud enough, Southern Cal?

Position Breakdown: Offensive Line

The last few seasons at Ohio State, the offensive line has entered each year with tremendous praise and expectations with the talent to back it up. The result and reputation that the line accumulated has been the same the past two seasons: underachieving. Underwhelming. Soft. Feet aren't quick enough.

While I sound like a broken record thinking that this will be a hell of an o-line this season, I suppose I have more facts to back up my bold statements.

Let's start with the speed issue. Obviously you aren't going to put speed and offensive lineman in the same sentence very often. The speed to keep elite rush ends and blitzers from getting to the quarterback is a legit ability in football, though, and the Buckeyes should be improved in this area. Alex Boone was a good talent, but was just a tad slow. Tackle candidates Mike Adams, Andy Miller and J.B. Shugarts, all highly touted out of high school, should be able to handle things on the left side of the line. Senior Jim Cordle shouldn't be an issue at RT. In fact, the probable captain should shine with his versatility on full display. Dominance won't be frequent with him, but consistency certainly will be. The interior line will be NASTY. Michigan transfer and everyday Benedict Arnold (according to Michigan fans) Justin Boren is out to prove wrong that he wasn't strong or tough enough to endure the new training program installed up north and repeat as an All-Big Ten performer. I expect him to be an All-American prospect by the end of the season. Bryant Browning moves to his natural position at guard and has been pinned by some teammates at the "gentle giant". He is as big round as he is tall at nearly 6"5.

Then, there is the toughness issue. Guys like Boren and Shugarts will certainly bring toughness to the line. The word tough begins and ends with Mike Brewster. The All-American candidate at center is primed for a huge season, becoming one of the true leaders of the team while only being a true sophomore. All he wants to do is drive defenders into the ground and maul them even after the whistle has blown. He has highlighted the main weakness in past offensive lines here at OSU, and is out to fix the problem. There will be no lack of intensity and toughness along the line in 2009. I guarantee that.

It may be the same old story in terms of expecting a great offensive line in 2009, but I truly believe that a new, more reputable chapter will be written in an otherwise dull collection of yearbooks the past several year's groups have compiled in the trenches.

It all comes back to the word we all want to hear, and even more so, finally witness: NASTY.

Position Breakdown: Running Back

Just to clear the air, I don't feel any need to discuss the quarterback position. Terrelle is a freak and that is all that needs to be said.

The 2009 Ohio State running game will feature a collection of guys who certainly aren't big enough or as rock solid as their predecessor Beanie Wells. His shadow alone makes the likes of Boom Herron or Brandon Saine look like a mere blip on the radar.

Regardless of what the public may think of the two main running back options for OSU, this season has the potential to feature a two to three headed monster attack that has everything you want and more in an Ohio State offensive attack.

Boom Herron, who will get the majority of the carries this season, is the bullish, workhorse type that will be a leader each and every day in practice and on the field. I expect his experience working behind Beanie last year will work wonders for his knowledge of the offense and what he needs to do to be a big time contributor on this team.

Brandon Saine and Jaamal Berry are two guys that have one common weapon at their disposal: speed. Saine, despite his past injuries, is a former Ohio track champion and record breaker and finally is starting to look like an actual running back. Expect Saine to be more of a home run threat in 2009. Berry will be the odd man out most likely, but he will certainly be seeing the field this season. Aside from his rocket type speed and burst, he possesses a strong knack for catching passes out of the backfield and making something happen up field while also presenting a tough, in between-the-tackles type mentality. He was one of the stars, if not THE star of this past recruiting class and it will show each and every time he takes the field.