Realistic Expectation for 2007

[AutoModGod]

What do you think constitute realistic expectations for the 2007 season?

I consider this year to be a rebuilding year and my hope is that we improve throughout the year and peak in AA for a four-peat.  

I think our offensive line will be pretty good.  I am worried about the possibility of an injury to Beenie.  If he goes down we could be in real trouble.  I'm not sure about Maurice Wells.  That was a bone-headed fumble against the wolver-weenies.  As far as QB play goes, I expect JT to run, run, run the ball until he develops some confidence in whoever the QB will be.  I expect a return to Tressel ball on offense.

Defensively, we have been pretty solid in the Treseel era.  The defense was remarkable last year - at least up until the last two games, when the turnover machine stopped.  I expect we will have one of the better defenses again this year, so that is not much of a worry.

It will be very interesting to see who will emerge as the offensive play-makers.  Smith, Ginn and Gonzo made so many clutch plays, someone needs to step up and do the same.

Michigan fans are hot for "revenge" after what they considered to be a give-away last year to Ohio State.  Nothing would make me happier than adding 365 more days to the number of days that it has been since the weenies beat Ohio State in football.    

It has been very nice to live in Michigan during the Tressel era.

[buckinthedesert]

We're going to be happy with this team.  More to the point, we're going to be happy with this schedule -- considering it will take a significant upset for us not to be 8-0 heading to Penn State on October 27th.  That being said, I'm not sure we'll post a winning record after that as 3 of our last 4 games will be against Penn State, Wisconsin, and Meechigan.  What we need is a presence on the edge that we haven't had on a consistant basis recently -- what we need is Vernon Gholston, Robert Rose, and Lawrence Wilson (and any other unproven defensive ends) to be in the backfield on every play this year -- we need the defensive end position to compensate for the losses we are sure to see on the interior line -- particularly at tackle.  I think we'll be very strong from the linebacking corps on back to the secondary.  If by week 9 we have turned into a punishing defensive team that can run the ball -- anything is possible -- I mean we won a national championship game and I believe Kraig Krenzel was our leading rusher -- the entire defensive unit should have received the MVP trophy that year.  Long story short -- with the schedule, and more importantly the non-conference schedule we have this year -- if we can put an adequately average offense on the field, I think we will win 10+ games.  We're just not going to be a come-from-behind offensive dynamo next season -- but like all fat ball coaches say -- as well as coaches that wear sweater-vests -- defense wins championships.

[Nate]

I agree with your assessment.  We have a very good schedule this year to break in a new offense.

That stretch of games with PSU, Wisky and Michingan are going to be tough.  We're at PSU, home vs Wisky and at Michigan.  That is going to be tough.

I expect 9 wins this year.  If we get more than that it will be a great accomplishment.

BTW, Welcome to Buckeyes 24/7!

[GoMichigan(NoGood)]

If OSU beats us this year, I think I will go crazy, I cant even imagine you beating us I dont want to any way im sure we will win it.

[AutoModGod]

If OSU beats us this year, I think I will go crazy, I cant even imagine you beating us I dont want to any way im sure we will win it.

I think you sum it up well for most Michigan fans that I know here in Michigan.

However, JT has outcoached LLLLLoyd in his five victories, which gives Ohio State a very good chance for a four-peat in 2007.  JT has repeatedly come up with offensive wrinkles that have proven to be the difference in The Game - tight ends at FB, an unbalanced line with 3 tackles and playing a jumbo TB package were some of them.   It will be entertaining to see if JT can come up with something this year to leave LLLLLoyd scratching his head again.  

With what Michigan has coming back and The Game at home, your team better win this year because I think they are done winning in Columbus for a while.    

[tavbuck]

if we beat mmichigan and penn state we will be back in the title game. we will have the top rusher in the big ten and our defense will be way better without antonio smith.

i see us winning the big ten. i honestly do. if we take care of the ball we will be fine.

i like our cahnces with our d and our running game. two tough games and thats it. we wil be fine

If OSU beats us this year, I think I will go crazy, I cant even imagine you beating us I dont want to any way im sure we will win it.

remember who you guys lost last year. yea we lost a lot on offense but the only reason you guys were any good was because of your defense. no offense the whole year.
the reason you beat ND was because your d. you got two td's against us because the refs blew it. your best game was against minnesota. i will be very surprised if you dont lose two games.

i will give you this. home field is huge and troy smith is not playing.

but..... you have lllllyod carr. notice the l's. and we have tressell. complete ownage.