1. OHIO STATE

2005 record: 10-2, 7-1 (1st-tie in Big Ten)
2005 bowl: Beat Notre Dame 34-20 in Fiesta
2005 final AP/coaches' ranking: 4/4
Coach: Jim Tressel (50-13, 5 years, 9 overall)
Offensive coordinator: Jim Bollman (6th year)
Defensive coordinator: Jim Heacock (2nd year)
Offensive scheme: Multiple
Defensive scheme: 4-3
Returning offensive starters: 7
Returning defensive starters: 2
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Stadium: Ohio (grass, 101,568)
Last league title: 2005 (tie)
2006 schedule: [view]
2005 statistics: [view]

Offense: The Buckeyes, by nature, are a close-to-the-vest, run-first operation. They might need to rethink that strategy. Senior quarterback Troy Smith can make things happen with his arm and especially his legs. The Buckeyes will loosen up the playbook, ever so slightly, to account for Smith’s talents, but they want him to perform with discipline, not recklessness. The backfield looks stacked with junior Antonio Pittman (1,331 yards), big-time recruit Chris Wells and fullback Stan White. And there’s more. Junior wide receiver Ted Ginn might be the nation’s most dangerous offensive player, always capable of shifting to another gear. Junior Anthony Gonzalez is a capable second option, while redshirt freshman Brian Hartline should be a big part of the offense. Making it all go is an offensive line that has coaches downright giddy. Sophomore Alex Boone (6-foot-8, 315) is what you would draw up in a left tackle – mammoth, excellent wingspan, decent footwork, a throwback to Orlando Pace – while junior Kirk Barton (6-7, 325) is no slouch on the other side. There’s such quality at tackle, Doug Datish has shifted to center, giving the unit a nice blend of youth and experience.

David Maxwell / Getty Images Ohio State junior wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. might be the most exciting player in the nation this season.

Defense: Last season’s trio of linebackers — A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel – can’t be matched by Ohio State (or any team, really) this time around. That might seem a fatal blow. But remember, this is Ohio State, where talent always sits behind talent. Buckeye linebackers are seven deep, and senior middle linebacker John Kerr has the look of a leader. Intriguing junior-college transfer Larry Grant, who originally was headed to Florida but got diverted to Ohio State after an academic snafu, will push for immediate playing time. The strength of the defensive line is on the interior, where senior tackles Quinn Pitcock and David Patterson return. The Buckeyes need to develop a solid edge rusher (or two). Sophomore Lawrence Wilson looks more like a linebacker at 6-foot-6, 225 pounds, but his wingspan presents an especially difficult matchup. The secondary, which must replace four starters, was impressive during spring ball. Sophomore Malcolm Jenkins could be Ohio State’s next big star at lockdown corner.

Specialists: Ginn's returning ability is ridiculous. He has five touchdowns on punt returns and another on a kickoff return. Will anyone ever kick to him again? The Buckeyes will go with a youngster at place-kicker, maybe redshirt freshman Aaron Pettrey, while A.J. Trapasso returns at punter.

Game of the year Nov. 1 vs. Florida at Jacksonville, Fla. On paper, this has the potential to be the most compelling matchup ever between the rivals. And that’s saying something. It could very well be a game of unbeaten Top 5 teams. Georgia has dropped 15 of the last 18 games in the series (including a 2-5 mark under Richt), but won 42-30 last year in a performance that sparked the Bulldogs’ fast finish.

Coaching: Before the arrival of Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes were practically owned by Michigan. They were rarely in the national-title hunt. Since Tressel showed up, the Buckeyes captured the program’s first national title since 1968 and have played in three BCS bowl games (winning them all). And, oh yes, Tressel is 4-1 against Michigan. His buttoned-down, be-true-to-your-school attitude generally plays well in Ohio.

Heisman hopefuls: Smith’s scorching Fiesta Bowl performance made an impression. If, say, he would light it up at Texas, the race could be on. Ginn could give Ohio State a split ticket, a la Bush-Leinart.

Overview: Even though Ohio State is No. 1 in the AP and coaches' polls, as well as some magazine predictions, it's by no means a consensus pick, such as USC or Miami in recent seasons. But we’re going with the Buckeyes, who were razor-close to playing for the big money last season. Also, the offense seemed to hit warp speed by season’s end. Smith might be this year’s Vince Young. There are some questions on defense, but the answers will come quickly enough. Look for Ohio State to again trek to Arizona — the Buckeyes are 3-0 at the Fiesta Bowl during Tressel’s tenure – for the mega-event known as the BCS Championship Game. We don’t see any super teams out there for 2006, but Ohio State has the right stuff to emerge from the pack.

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