Last Updated on August 7, 2010 12:00 pm by drew
Ohio State Season Odds
After a Rose Bowl win in 2009, can Ohio State finally get the Big Ten Conference a national championship in 2010?
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Jim Tressel led the Buckeyes to a national title in 2002, but since that time, Ohio State has struggled to compete out of conference on the national stage.
That trend seemed to turn last year when the Buckeyes defeated Oregon in the Rose Bowl and quarterback Terrelle Pryor turned the corner.
This year, Ohio State has 15 starters back from the 2009 team, led by Pryor, who led the team in passing (2,094 yards, 18 TD, 11 INT) and rushing (779 yards, 7 TD) last season.
Helping in the running game will be Brandon Saine and Dan Herron, who combined for over 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns. Four starters return on the offensive line as well as the Buckeyes four top receivers from 2009. DeVier Posey leads that group, as he caught 60 passes for 828 yards and eight scores.
On defense, Ohio State was among the best in 2009, allowing just 12.5 points and 262 yards per-game. The Buckeyes have six starters back from that group, which includes three All-Big 10 players.
Ross Homan led the team in tackles with 108 and also had five interceptions at linebacker in 2009. He returns along with Brian Rolle in the middle. Rolle had 95 tackles and seven tackles for loss last season.
The third all conference honoree is Cameron Heyward at defensive end. Heyward had 6.5 sacks and 46 tackles a year ago. He is the lone returning starter on the front four.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com currently list Ohio State as 5/1 to win the 2011 BCS National Championship. The Buckeyes are also listed with 2/3 odds to win the Big 10.
Ohio State has one tough non-conference game when it hosts Miami but then just has to get past Wisconsin and Iowa on the road and Penn State at home. The Buckeyes have just four road games on the year but the four are somewhat difficult. Pryor came out of his shell a little bit toward the end of 2009, but we still aren’t sure if we like him enough to put the house on him. For the short odds, we feel your money may be better suited with teams other than Ohio State.
2010 Over/Under Win Total: 10.5
2011 BCS Championship Odds: Ohio State Buckeyes 5/1
2010 Big Ten Championship Odds: Ohio State Buckeyes 2/3
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Posted: 8/7/10 12:00PM ET