Could QB Smith guide OSU to a title a la Vince Young?

                    

	Troy Smith John W. McDonough/SI Ohio State 2005 Record 10-2 (7-1 Big Ten) Final AP Rank 4 Returning Starters 9 (7 offense, 2 defense) Last National Title 2002 The Contenders Auburn Michigan Cal Nebraska Clemson Notre Dame Florida State Ohio State Georgia Tech South Carolina Iowa USC Louisville Utah Miami West Virginia

By Stewart Mandel, SI.com

Why Ohio State can win it all: Multidimensional quarterback Troy Smith has the ability to elevate his team much the way Vince Young did for Texas last season, and the weapons around him -- the speedy Ted Ginn Jr. and underrated Anthony Gonzalez at receiver, 1,300-yard rusher Antonio Pittman and heralded freshman Chris Wells at tailback -- are second to none.

What must fall into place: A talented but inexperienced defense -- nine new starters -- must grow up in a hurry. Despite losing NFL first-rounders A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter, the Buckeyes' front seven should still be strong, and it will be imperative that they develop a strong pass rush to ease pressure on a young secondary (three sophomore starters).

How it could go wrong: A brutal September schedule -- at Texas and Iowa, home against Penn State -- could derail Ohio State's title hopes in a hurry if the rebuilt defense struggles. And while Smith's passing ability is unquestioned, there's no guarantee that Ginn and Gonzalez will be able to fill the void at receiver left by first-round pick Santonio Holmes.

Good omen: Texas' Young won his last seven games and captured a bowl MVP trophy the year before making his national-title run. Smith accomplished the first two last season.

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