College Football Predictions 2011: Ohio State Will Stumble in First Five Games

Ohio State Football Doesn't Have Depth To Hold Down the Fort Without "Buckeye Five"

It was all set up.

Coming off a a one loss season and invitation to the Sugar Bowl, the stars were aligned for a appearance in the 2012 National Championship for the Buckeyes.

QB Terrelle Pryor is going to be a senior and seemed poised to have a Troy Smith like dominate ending to his college career.

That all came to a crashing halt when the NCAA found out that Pryor and four of his teammates were selling memorabilia in exchange for tattoos and other free stuff.

Now Pryor; along with offensive lineman Mike Adams, running back Boom Herron, wide receiver DeVier Posey and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas will be spectators until mid-October.

Head coach Jim Tressel will also serve a five-game suspension after getting busted for knowing about the violation nine months before the news broke.

Linebackers coach Luke Fickell has been named the interim coach and will be in charge of surviving games 1-to-5.

So what are the first five games of the season?

Akron, Toledo, Miami (FL), Colorado and Michigan State.

No need to worry about the first two games, the MAC is a respectable football conference, but they don't hold much of a chance against the depth of the Buckeyes.

The first road game of the season sends the Buckeyes down to Coral Gables to take on the Hurricanes. Jacoby Harris is out for revenge after last year's solid beating in Columbus.

Without the "Buckeye Five", I don't see the Buckeyes being able to handle a quality team like Miami.

Senior Joe Bauserman is likely to be under center for the Buckeyes in Pryor's absence. He has taken the vast majority of snaps at spring practice according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Even if they sneak past Miami, Colorado looks to be improved in 2011 and then the Spartans of Michigan St. come to the 'Shoe.

DantonioLadies and gents we have loss No. 2. The Spartans have a ton of experience and a coach in Mark that can exploit Ohio St. with ease.

Expect the Buckeyes to sputter to a 3-and-2 start with title hopes erased almost immediately.

Click here for 10 players that have to step-up in order for OSU to survive the first five games.