2008 OUTLOOK: The rest of the nation might be tired of watching Ohio State get hammered in national title games, but the Buckeyes might just have a third-straight run in them. With 20 starters returning (including special teams), the Buckeyes return nearly every key player from a team that won the Big Ten last season. They will attempt to become the first team in the 112-year history of the Big Ten to win three-straight outright conference championships.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Chris Wells will again be the focal point, and if he can stay healthy, there is no telling just what type of numbers he can put up. The real key will be Todd Boeckman's ability to manage the game and avoid turnovers. Over the final three games last season, Boeckman turned the ball over seven times (six interceptions, one fumble) and threw just two touchdowns. He even had two interceptions in the spring game. Phenom Terrelle Pryor is expected to bring back a bit of the spread, something Jim Tressel said was lacking in the offense last year. But Pryor won't get more than 15 snaps per game, leaving the bulk of the offense in Wells' capable hands.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins returning for their senior years was an added bonus the Buckeyes weren't expecting. Suddenly, the defense had just one hole, at defensive end, where Vernon Gholston had a school record 14 sacks last year. Lawrence Wilson is fully recovered from the broken leg that forced him to miss last season, though, and is ready to step in at defensive end. The only other opening is at linebacker, and when was the last time Ohio State had trouble finding a capable linebacker? Defensive coordinator Jim Heacock was unhappy with the pressure his defensive tackles created last season. The quartet of tackles (Todd Denlinger, Doug Worthington, Dexter Larimore and Nader Abdallah) combined for just five sacks all season. Creating pressure up the middle became a point of emphasis in the spring, and those same four tackles combined for four sacks in the spring game.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
The two biggest concerns have to be in the field goal unit and kickoff returns. Kicker Ryan Pretorius is back after having four kicks blocked last season. He hinted this spring that the protection was off, but Jim Tressel said last season that Pretorius needed more height on his kicks. It's probably a combination of both. On kickoffs, the Buckeyes ranked a woeful 117th in the country, averaging just over 17 yards per return. Ray Small was supposed to be the next Ted Ginn -- they even came from the same high school -- but Small fell far short last year. He, Brandon Saine and Maurice Wells will have to at least get that average up around 20 yards per return.

ROSTER REPORT

--RB Chris "Beanie" Wells missed all contract throughout the spring while recovering from surgery on his hand to repair a broken bone near his thumb. He is expected to be fully recovered by fall camp.

--WR Brian Robiskie missed the spring following routine arthroscopic surgery on his knee. He should be healthy by fall camp.

--OL Justin Boren has transferred from Michigan to Ohio State. He will be eligible to compete in 2009, when another coal will be added to an already heated rivalry.

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