Although Miami may be grabbing the NCAA compliance headlines going into the season, the major controversy of the offseason happened in Columbus, with last season "wiped from the books," Jim Tressel fired, and Terrelle Pryor gone to the NFL amongst other penalties. What looked like the sure favorite has now become an underdog in their 6 team division, let alone the whole conference. With only a few days left until the first game, interim coach Luke Fickell has not named his quarterback, although the four man race is down to two: senior Joe Bauserman and freshman Braxton Miller. Miller would be a choice for the future and a choice for continuity, as he has dual threat talent like Pryor, while Bauserman is the safe choice who may guide this team better through rocky times similar to a Craig Krenzel or a Scott Tolzien. No matter who is guiding the offense, a bigger question may be who will catch the ball, especially during leading receiver Devier Posey's five game suspension. Corey Brown and chris Fields should pick up the slack but both are unproven. Expect a similar conservative run-heavy offense with three returning linemen and a stable of running backs that only gets stronger when leading RB Dan Herron returns from suspension in October. The defense must reload with 7 new starters, although that is not usually a problem for the good recruiting Buckeye program. Look for new starters Johnathan Hankins on the line and linebackers Etienne Sabino and Storm Klein to make immediate impacts. OSU will also have solid special teams as usual. The schedule is relatively forgiving early, although a road game at Miami and Michigan State at home could be tricky before Herron, Posey, and lineman Mike Adams return for the biggest game of the season at Nebraska. If Ohio State defends the home turf, they will likely squeeze past Wisconsin and Penn State into the championship game.