High expectations? No Problem for the Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes began spring practices for the 2010 season, in which they have been heavily hyped, on April 1st, and have had many spring games since. The first scrimmage was held on April 17 and the first official Ohio State football spring game 2010 was held in Ohio Stadium on April 21st. While there are certainly many young backups who will hope to attract the attention of the coaches during these games, the Buckeyes will also have many positional issues to work out. During these spring games there will be a few positions of particular interests to the coaches for this up and coming year: QB, RB and WR.

By Steve Patterson

At the Quarterback position, Terrelle Pryor (QB) will be coming off of knee surgery to begin this year's spring season. However, his participation in the first half of a full contact spring football game just weeks ago is a good sign for his health. Pryor's development into the starting role came rather quickly as he assumed the job mid-way through his freshman season. Now, Terrelle will be entering his junior year and with two years of experience at his back, the expectations for his performance in 2010 will be high.

The running back position proves to be the most up in the air this spring. The starting job is currently shared between Brandon Saine and Dan Herron, but a proven number one option will have to emerge in this year's spring games. Freshman and sophomore running backs Jordan Hall, Roderick Smith and Carlos Hyde could also earn some playing time this spring.

The Buckeyes expect big things out of their junior Quarterback Terrelle Pryor this year, but those expectations may become mute if the receiving core is not established this spring. Ohio State will return two staring wideouts this spring and expect Duron Carter, the fourth stringer last season, to play an increased role.

Each Ohio State football spring game will prove an excellent chance for sleeping talent to arise and for coaches to work out the currently jumbled depth chart. The team will return a solid offense lead by a now experienced Terrelle Pryor behind center and will also display a talented defense lead by the likes of Cameron Heyward. The 2010 expectations for the team have been set high already, as they have been ranked #1 in the Big Ten in a recently published power ranking by ESPN U, a title the team hopes to still possess come the end of the coming season.