Buckeyes' Title Hopes Hinge on Troy

Troy Smith

Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn is considered the top Heisman Trophy candidate among quarterbacks this year, with Ohio State’s Troy Smith right on his heels. But the last time we saw the two of them, squaring off against each other in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl, Smith was running (and throwing) circles around his more high-profile counterpart. Let’s check the numbers from that contest: Quinn completed 64 percent for 286 yards and no touchdowns; Smith completed 68 percent for 342 yards and touchdowns of 56 and 85 yards. Smith ran for 66 yards; Quinn netted minus-32 yards on the ground.

For the season, Smith turned in the nation’s fourth-highest passing efficiency rating (162.7) and averaged 9.3 yards per attempt, third-best nationally. As a sophomore in 2004, he didn’t become a starter until game 7 yet still threw for 791 yards and six touchdowns on 58-of-107 passing, and ran for 325 yards and two scores, in just his five starts alone. He accounted for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing), throwing for 241 yards and running for 145, in the Michigan game that year.

Smith saves his best games for the brightest spotlights. Against Michigan last fall, he threw for 300 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 37 yards and another score. Next came his 408-yard total offensive output against the Irish. He can kill an opponent through the air or on the ground, and his leadership is unquestioned.

2005 Stat Line

CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
149	237	2,282	62.9	9.63	85	16	4	14	162.66

 

What has to go right: The Buckeyes must remain highly visible and in the thick of the national title race all season long.

What could go wrong: A defense that loses nine starters from last year could take OSU out of the running. Not likely, but it could happen.

Prognosis: Very good, but of the top four candidates, two are Buckeyes (Smith and Ted Ginn Jr.), and they could cancel each other out.

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