Ohio State Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

Ohio State Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds

As the 2011 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.

2010 Record: 12-1 Big East Record: 7-1 (T-1st) 2011 Returning Starters: 12; 7 offense, 4 defense, punter

Coach: Luke Fickell, 0-0 (First year)

Offensive Coordinators: Jim Bollman Defensive Coordinators: Paul Haynes, Jim Heacock

2011 Ohio State Players to Watch: WR DeVier Posey. RB Dan Herron, C Mike Brewster, TE Jake Stoneburner, DE Nathan Williams, LB Andrew Sweat, SS Orhlan Johnson

2011 Ohio State Strengths:
Even with the suspension to Herron, the backfield is deep with guys like Junior Jordan Halland sophomores Jaamal Berry and Carlos Hyde. They will be relied on to carry the offense until Herron and the other starters return Oct. 8 at Nebraska.

2011 Ohio State Weaknesses:
The Buckeyes must survive the first five games without their stars and Luke Fikell must make the leap from co-defensive coordinator to the man responsible for in-game adjustments on Saturdays. Fickell, a former defensive lineman at OSU. has never been a head coach until now.

2011 Ohio State Offense:

Technically, the offense returns six starters, but questions abound for this unit, especially considering the team’s 1,000-yard rusher (Dan Herron), top returning receiver (DeVier Posey) and best blocker (Mike Adams) all are slated to miss the first five games of the season because of an NCAA-imposed suspension. Terrelle Pryor was expected to miss the first five games of 2011, but decided in early June to leave the team. The coaches could opt for weathered backup Joe Bauserman, hot shot freshman Braxton Miller, pocket passer Taylor Graham or dual-threat Kenny Guiton as the starter. The quartet will compete for the job well into fall camp. Hall could lead the Buckeyes in rushing attempts, but the depth behind him is abundant. Jaamal Berry is ready to contribute regularly, and redshirt freshman Rod Smith appears poised to take over as the team grinder with Herron out. Up front, Mike Brewster is the centerpiece. He’ll be flanked by physical, developing players who are more athletic than past OSU linemen. Tight end Jake Stoneburner also helps in the trenches, but he should be a more viable receiving option this season given the cast of no-names after Posey at wideout.

2011 Ohio State Defense:

Even with a relatively unproven defensive group, the coaches like the depth and athleticism on this side of the ball and believe the Buckeyes can improve on the totals of 23 sacks and 30 takeaways recorded last season. Nate Williams and John Simon give the Buckeyes a pair of highly active and disruptive defensive linemen, and young Johnathan Hankins excels at plugging up the middle. Andrew Sweat and Etienne Sabino lead the linebacking corps and should lead the team in tackles. The secondary typifies the whole defense raw, athletically gifted and hungry. Travis Howard assumes the role of OSU’s top cover corner, and Tyler Moeller and Christian Bryant are playmakers. Safety is a bit of a concern, though, with Orhian Johnson and C.J. Barnett yet to put together a full season of consistent production.

2011 Ohio State Special Teams:

Punter Ben Buchanan returns after averaging 41 yards as a sophomore. He had five punts of more than 50 yards last season. Drew Basil takes over the full-time kicking duties after primarily handling kickoffs last season as a true freshman, Basil only attempted two field goals last season; both were blocked.

2011 Ohio State Football Schedule | Ohio State Football Sportsbooks

2011 Ohio State Predictions:

This is a mystery team, to be sure, as some key players won’t be available on game day until Oct. 8 and that’s when the Buckeyes visit Big Ten-newcomer Nebraska. Not to mention, there’s a new coach (Luke Fickell) with Jim Tressel’s resignation. How will the Buckeyes respond to the changes and distractions surrounding the program? Who Fickel will tab to run the offense is up in the air, and the wide receiver spot is, quite frankly, a mess. Look for the Buckeyes to once again rely on an aggressive defense, work to get more consistent results on special teams and hope to find some sort of offensive identity by the time they travel to Miami (Fla.) in Week 3. The passing game could be pedestrian, but there is quality depth in the backfield. And OSU may finally have a versatile offensive line that can open holes in and out of the box. Are the Buckeyes a BCS bowl team? It’s possible, even with all of the off-the-field drama. This is still Ohio State it’s not as if the cupboard is bare.

2011 Ohio State Betting Odds:

Ohio State Current odds to win a National Championship: +4000

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NCAA Football Handicapping Picks

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