Team: Ohio State

Nickname: Buckeyes

Conference: Big Ten

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Coach: Jim Tressel (9th year, 83-19; 218-76-2 career)

Last Bowl: 2009 Fiesta

Last season: 10-3, 7-1

The Buckeyes lost a ton of talent to the NFL, but Tressel has built a powerhouse that should be able to replace the losses. There are two huge tests on the slate (Sept. 12 vs. USC, Nov. 7 at Penn State), but those are prime examples to step into the BCS title hunt.

The season is a success if ... The Buckeyes win the Big Ten and make a BCS bowl. Beating the Nittany Lions on Nov. 7 would go a long way — the Buckeyes lost 13-6 at home against them last year.

The season is a failure if ... The rushing attack doesn't step up with the departure of Beanie Wells to the NFL. The workhorse ran for 1,197 yards despite missing three games. Look for Dan "Boom" Herron or speedy Brandon Saine to pick up the slack.

Impact Player: Sophomore, Terrelle Pryor, quarterback. He's big (6-foot-6), he's fast (4.33 seconds 40-yard dash, 631 rushing yards in 2008) and can throw (1,311 yards and 12 TDs). He loses his top rusher and top two receivers, so he'll be called upon to make even more big plays.

Fun Fact: Tressel went 135-57-2 at Division I-AA Youngstown State, where he won four national titles, including a 28-14 win over Boise State in the 1994 final.