The Ohio State Buckeyes are 13 days away from their season opener against Marshall at Ohio Stadium. Many questions surround the Buckeyes, and every team, coming into the season. Associated Press reporter Rusty Miller gives us his 10 questions for the Buckeyes this season. Here are a few: 1) How much depends on QB Terrelle Pryor? This is the...
Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor The Ohio State Buckeyes are 13 days away from their season opener against Marshall at Ohio Stadium.
Many questions surround the Buckeyes, and every team, coming into the season. Associated Press reporter Rusty Miller gives us his 10 questions for the Buckeyes this season.
Here are a few:
1) How much depends on QB Terrelle Pryor?
This is the same first question as a year ago here. And the answer is the same: Everything.
Pryor had a fine sophomore season in 2009, capped by being named offensive MVP of the Rose Bowl. But one bothersome fact: The Buckeyes might have been at their best when he took a secondary role. Remember, because of a knee injury he didn’t do a whole lot more than hand off and occasionally throw from the pocket over the last four regular-season games.
7) What motivates the Buckeyes?
Well, everyone thinks they’ll be good and the Big Ten has already anointed them as the team to beat. They’re also ranked No. 2 in the nation by most publications. Beyond that, Ohio State can become only the second team to win six straight Big Ten titles, matching the record set by the 1972-77 Buckeyes.
The string of titles provides incentive a couple of ways. First, Ohio State players don’t want to be the ones who let it end on their watch and, second, Big Ten teams will either be resigned to their fate or motivated to do something about it. Consider: Almost every player in the Big Ten has spent their career looking up the standings at Ohio State.
Tight end in play?
In recent years, the Ohio State offense has not had much use for its tight ends, with the exception of blocking and an occasional pass to catch. Columbus Dispatch reporter Tim May writes how in the past four seasons, tight ends have caught a total of 90 passes for the Buckeyes.
Despite that number, tight end Jake Stoneburner says he will catch plenty of balls this season.
Stoneburner and his coaches think he could present matchup problems for opposing defenses. His ability to stretch the field, what analysts call the potential of such a big man with decent receiver's speed and hands, could further an offense loaded with returning starters and led by quarterback Terrelle Pryor.
"I think it's going to happen this year," Stoneburner said. "I think with how many weapons we have on offense, we're not going to rely too much on one guy. With Terrelle throwing the ball, he'll have a lot of opportunities. And with me and him being pretty good friends, and with him having a lot of confidence in me, I think that'll help, too."
Buckeyes and Rams
The St. Louis Rams could now be considered the St. Louis Buckeyes because their trio of linebackers are former Ohio State players in James Laurinaitis, Na'il Diggs and Larry Grant.
Grant just replaced Bobby Carpenter in the lineup. Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo likes what he sees in Grant.
Asked whether Grant had taken a step forward this summer, coach Steve Spagnuolo said, "That's probably a pretty good way to put it. Just the other night I was watching tape, and he kind of stuck out. … He's got some things about him. He looks like you want an NFL linebacker to look; he plays aggressive.
"If he could smooth some things out from the mental part of it, I think he'll be OK."