PREVIEW | Ohio State football Here are 10 questions swirling around the 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes:

1, How good is the defense? It won't be as good as it was last year, since only two starters are back. Then again, it won't be Swiss cheese-like. A couple of solid returnees are up front and John Kerr and James Laurinaitis are itching to step in at linebacker. The secondary has all fresh faces, which is never good. But it might be five games into the season before the backs face a quarterback (Iowa's Drew Tate) who will pick on their inexperience.
2, What are the games to watch? Naturally, the showdown at No. 3 Texas in Week Two will capture the imagination of a national TV audience. So will the Penn State rematch on Sept. 23. But there are a few other troublesome games in there, some that may provide robust challenges for the Buckeyes. The first road Big Ten game at Iowa will be a stiff test, as will the game on Oct. 14 at Michigan State. Finally, Michigan has a host of veterans back who are sick of hearing about that 7-5 mark last year, not to mention their recent travails against Ohio State. All are capable of beating the Buckeyes.
3, Any chances of a major upset? Northern Illinois in the opener on Saturday is no slouch. TB Garrett Wolf rushed for 176 yards a game last year. Phil Horvath completed 71 percent of his passes. Against an unknown, unproven defense, they could have a big day. Then again, NIU gave up 370 yards a game last season and the Buckeyes are capable of racking up some big numbers of their own.
4, What's a position to watch? Antonio Pittman was a star last year, although some are already clamoring to see what incoming recruiting gem Chris "Beanie" Wells can do. Pittman has the total confidence of the coaching staff after gaining 1,331 yards last season and it'll take a train wreck of a season to unseat him. Wells is a big back and will undoubtedly see playing time.
5, Who's bound for a breakthrough season? With Santonio Holmes gone (leaving early for the NFL), the Buckeyes will need a new go-to receiver. Many think it'll be Ted Ginn Jr., but a more likely possibility is Anthony Gonzalez. Also, you can expect DE Lawrence Wilson, SS Jamario O'Neal, LB Larry Grant and CB Malcolm Jenkins to step out of the shadows and have big years.
6, Will any freshmen see a lot of playing time? Wells will get on the field, but keep an eye on DE Robert Rose. Same goes for DB Kurt Coleman, who came in early and had a big spring and has played extremely well during the preseason.
7, Who will handle the placekicking? Based on the team's recent kick scrimmage, redshirt freshman Aaron Pettrey has the edge over 27-year-old sophomore Ryan Pretorius. Tressel would prefer to have one kicker, not a committee. But this might be one of those situations where the Buckeyes go with specialists -- one from 40 yards and longer, another inside 40 yards.
8, Can Troy Smith or Ted Ginn Jr. win the Heisman? If the Buckeyes remain unbeaten, the duo will get lots of face time on national TV. Either could win it. But consider this: It's unlikely that Ginn can have a huge year without Smith having one at least as big. And quarterbacks are easy picks for Heisman voters because their numbers are so easy to digest and they have the most difficult job on the field. It's not easy for a receiver to win the Heisman (only four have: Yale's Larry Kelley in 1936, Notre Dame's Leon Hart in 1949, Fighting Irish WR Tim Brown in 1987 and Michigan's Desmond Howard in 1991). Quarterbacks have won 25 times, including five years in a row before USC's Reggie Bush last season.
9, Any subplots to watch this season? The health of assistants Joe Daniels and Jim Bollman are a concern. Daniels is battling kidney cancer. Bollman is still recovering from triple-bypass surgery earlier this year. Both say they're feeling fine.
10, Who'll win the Big Ten? Michigan, smarting from an embarrassing 2005, draws toughies Wisconsin, Michigan State and Iowa at home with big road trips at Penn State and Ohio State. Purdue has an advantageous schedule -- no Michigan, no Ohio State -- but had the same slate last year and went 3-5. Michigan State figures to be better with QB Drew Stanton back. Penn State's run was no fluke last year. Don't be surprised if Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State enter the games of Nov. 18 with a shot at winning at least a piece of the title.
Associated Press
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