The Buckeyes have Big Goals for 2008

Losing two National Championships in a row is tough and getting to a third should be difficult. But Ohio State enters 2008 picked by many in the media to return to the BCS Championship game. The team is preparing to make a run for the Big Ten title and the National title once again.

By Steve Patterson

One Step at a Time

            Fourth year wide receiver Brian Robiskie feels the team is focused on each step of the season but is aiming to win the Big Ten title outright for a third consecutive time. “There has been a lot of hype, but first and foremost we are focused on winning another Big Ten championship. Everything else, we just need to take one step at a time.” Robiskie told the media during the annual Fall Media Day.

            Tight End Brandon Smith acknowledges that the team wants a third shot at the BCS title in January. “Of course every year our main goal is to win the national championship, but we also want to win a third-straight outright Big Ten title.” Smith said about getting to the Orange Bowl and Miami Florida in January.

On Beanie Wells’ Shoulders

            The team’s ability to repeat as Big Ten champs and make it the National Championship will rest largely on running back Chris Wells who returns for a third season after putting up over 1,600 yards as a sophomore. “It’s incredible. I feel so much better as a running back and as a runner.” Wells told everyone about his condition this year compared to prior years where injuries nagged him early.

            “We have potential to go back to play in the BCS title game. Nobody on the team thinks we’re guaranteed to go. We know we need to work hard for it. We know we have potential and maybe we can make it back this year.” Malcolm Jenkins told the media about the work ethic that will be required to repeat what they accomplished last year.

Target on the Back

            Senior Linebacker Marcus Freeman knows that every team will be coming after them hard. “I think this team has the potential to win every game it plays, as long as we stay focused and keep our eyes on the goal. We have to get out there and prove ourselves again. We’re excited about our position, but at the same time we have a pretty big target on our back.” He said.

            The team has a lot of senior leadership and Maurice Wells has been in the program long enough to experience the good and the bad times. “Our strength is all the experience we’re bringing back. Our weakness is that we’ve been to the national championship twice and lost twice. That’s always going to be in the back of our minds and the voter’s minds. We have to get over the hump.”

* Portions courtesy of OhioStateBuckeyes.com