Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - 2006 SEASON IN REVIEW: The favorite to win not only the Big Ten but the national championship as well, the 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes were loaded on both sides of the football. Jim Tressel's club didn't disappoint as it posted one lopsided win after another en route to a perfect regular season. Only twice in the first nine games did an opponent score more than seven points, and the Buckeyes picked up victories over four ranked foes along the way (Texas, Penn State, Iowa and Michigan). The team's toughest game, as expected, came at home against the hated Wolverines and what a wild affair it was. In the end, Ohio State posted a 42-39 triumph and as a result, claimed its second straight conference crown and earned a trip to the BCS National Championship game. For the second time this decade, the Tressel-led Buckeyes had college football's ultimate prize in their sights, but this time it wasn't to be as the Florida Gators laid a humiliating loss on OSU in a 41-14 final. While the final outcome wasn't exactly what the Buckeyes and their rabid fan base had in mind, the '06 season will go down as one of the best in the program's storied history.

2007 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: Not much went wrong for the Buckeyes in '06 as they were as talented a team as there was in the country. The offense put up some pretty gaudy numbers (34.6 ppg, 384.5 ypg), but the defection of several key players at the end of the season will make it hard for this year's group to duplicate that success. Gone are standouts Troy Smith, Antonio Pittman, Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez, leaving behind a cast of relative unknowns. Enter 6-5, 235-pound junior QB Todd Boeckman, Smith's replacement who is quick and agile for a man his size. Sophomore Chris Wells is tabbed the starter at RB and will try to take his game to the next level after rushing for 576 yards and seven TDs as a rookie. The wideouts will be led by 6-3 junior Brian Robiskie as he finished third on the team last year, hauling in 29 balls for 383 yards and five scores. The offensive line, which seems to be an area of strength in Columbus just about every year, returns three starters and should be able to put forth the kind of consistent effort that will be needed considering the relative inexperience behind them.

DEFENSE: The Ohio State defense was downright dominant last season, allowing just 12.8 points and 280.5 total yards per contest. The Buckeyes permitted a mere 98.3 ypg rushing to rank 15th in the nation, and despite having to replace three starters along the front line, should be able to come close to that kind of stifling effort once again. Junior DE Vernon Gholston is the anchor, but there are several youngsters with an abundance of talent ready to make names for themselves. Linebacker is the one position Tressel doesn't have to worry about as 2006 Bronko Nagurski Award winner James Laurinaitis is back after notching a team-best 115 tackles as a sophomore. Laurinaitis also proved an opportunist when it came to dropping back into coverage, collecting five INTs, the team as a whole picking off 21 passes on the year. Junior LB Marcus Freeman gained starting experience last season and will help Laurinaitis in his effort to lead the Buckeyes back to the national title game. The secondary, while boasting some talented players for sure, is pretty young and will be tested early and often. Junior CB Malcolm Jenkins is the best of the bunch and he is coming off a year in which he intercepted four passes and logged 55 tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The kicking game is in good shape with the return of PK Aaron Pettrey and P A.J. Trapasso. Both had solid '06 campaigns and will probably have to do a little more this time around with the OSU offense not likely to be nearly as explosive as last year's unit. Ginn Jr. was one of the more dangerous kick returners in the nation during his time in Columbus, but there are any a number of highly skilled guys ready to take over.

OUTLOOK: There is but one challenging game on Ohio State's home docket this year (Wisconsin), so the Buckeyes should be in line to challenge for the Big Ten's top spot once again. Games at Washington, Purdue, Penn State and Michigan will obviously be tougher but if the offense gels and the defense plays up to its ability, don't be surprised to see Tressel's troops notch wins in a few of those. In the end, too many questions on offense will likely keep the Buckeyes from winning a third straight conference crown, but it won't be for a lack of effort.