Fresh off his 266 yards passing/72 yards rushing performance in the Rose
Bowl victory over Oregon,
Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor enters the 2010 season as the player to watch. Entering
his junior season and third year as a starter, the expectations to deliver on
his enormous hype are incredible - and fair. There is no doubt that Pryor will
be the most scrutinized player in college football.
Understandably, Pryor is being compared to Texas legend, Vince Young. Young showed
tremendous promise early in his career, but he struggled in some big
games. Unfairly, Young was criticized and labeled as over-rated, and not
fit to be an elite level QB. A funny thing happened at the end of his
second year as a starter, Young put on a clinic against Michigan in the Rose Bowl rushing for 192
yards and passing for 180.
The Buckeye faithful are hoping the comparisons become a reality, and the
Buckeyes bring home the championship this season. Here are a few reasons
why they might just get their wish.
The Buckeyes are loaded again this season with 15 returning starters, nine
on offense. Considering that Tressel's best offensive team finished 26th
(2006) in total offense, this might be his best yet. The only question
mark is at left tackle; Mike Adams, Marcus Hall and Andrew Miller are competing
for the spot. Along with four starting OL's, Pryor has his top two
WR's, Posey and Sanzenbacher, back along with RB's Herron and Saine. Pryor has
playmakers in every spot to help him.
The schedule is manageable. There are a few speed bumps with games at Wisconsin and Iowa, and
a non-conference home game against ACC favorite Miami, but the best players shine in these
moments. The Big Ten is also stronger and deeper. Playing better
competition throughout the season will force the Buckeyes and specifically
Pryor to get better and stay sharp.
The BCS title game is in Glendale.
In 98, the Buckeyes were arguably robbed of a chance to play for the title in
the desert. They won it there in 02, played there again in 03, 05, lost
the title there in 06, played there again in 08. For some odd reason, The
Buckeyes shine when the prize is held in Arizona.
With a veteran cast, the spotlight will be on Pryor to bring home the
crystal trophy. All he needs to do is listen to Tressel, a master at
navigating through championship runs. This is the season they both
dreamed of three years ago when he signed with OSU. Time to go make the
dream a reality.
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