It's a fair question.  Will the Buckeyes be placed atop the pedestal before the season begins? 

You're on a biased Ohio State blog, so you know what our answer is going to be.  But wait, we actually have a coherent argument to back up our claims.

Take a look at the numbers and tell us what you think.

The Buckeyes finished the 2009 season at 11-2, including three wins over Top 10 schools in their final four games (Iowa, Penn State, and Oregon).  They also set an unprecedented mark by knocking off FIVE 10-win schools.  Yes, we fell to two teams we should have defeated...by a total of 11 points, though.  Those losses were the learning blocks of the team that just dominated the Pac-10 champion and unstoppable (LOL) Oregon Ducks offense.

Add to that a bevy of returning starters, sprinkle in some names with good experience as backups in 2008 and 2009, and you've got the makings of a preseason frontrunner. 

Don't just take our word for it.  Judge for yourself.

Let's look it over;

The offense had plenty of struggles throughout the season, but always seemed to step up in the big games when it was necessary. 

In 2010, Ohio State will be returning the following starters on offense;

• QB Terrelle Pryor
• RB Brandon Saine
• RB Boom Herron
• FB Zach Boren
• WR DeVier Posey
• WR Dane Sanzenbacher
• RT J.B. Shugarts
• RG Bryant Browning
• C Mike Brewster
• LG Justin Boren

At the tight end position, Jake Stoneburner has seen plenty of playing time and will replace Jake Ballard admirably.  The same can be said for Andrew Miller at LT, replacing Jim Cordle.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bucks will be returning these athletes;

• DT Dexter Larrimore
• DE Thaddeus Gibson (Lord willing)
• DE Cameron Heyward
• LB Ross Homan
• LB Brian Rolle
• FS Jermale Hines
• CB Devon Torrence
• CB Chimdi Chekwa

Add in a familiar name - Tyler Moeller - who will return from his head injury for the 2010 season, and this is an impressive defense, especially at linebacker.

That equals 19 players with extensive starting experience, and a long list of additional experience.  Hell, we haven't even mentioned Jordan Hall, Jermil Martin, Jamaal Berry, Lamaar Thomas, and a long list of players with a pedigree of excellence.

That's the resume for the Buckeyes, and it's worhty.  But who would take the #1 slot instead?

#1 Alabama will return QB Greg McElroy, WR Julio Jones and (of course) Heisman Winner Mark Ingram.  But they have 10 players in their starting lineup who are graduating seniors (if they graduate).  Only four defenders will come back for the Tide.

#2 Texas loses Colt McCoy, Jordan Shipley, and six other starters on both sides of the ball.  They'll be strong, but the two best players are gone. 

#3 TCU loses eight starters from a team that nobody has really seen or truly believes in.  Besides, do you really think that voters will give the Horned Frogs the top slot? 

#4 Cincinnati loses a coach and 16 of their 22 starters.  They also lost the respect of any thinking voter after what they laid a massive turd in the Sugar Bowl.

#5 Florida loses Saint Tebow, but only five other starters will leave the Gators squad.  Will the loss of Urban Meyer play a factor in the decisions of 10 starting juniors and whether or not they will leave early for the pros?  And will Meyer's absence hurt their standing with poll voters?

#6 Boise State returns 20 starters.  But they're Boise State, so shut up.

#7 Oregon returns 19 starters in 2010, but didn't we just dispose of that thought?

That leaves us.

#9 Georgia Tech and #10 Iowa return a lot of starters also, so include the winner of the Orange Bowl in this conversation.

As we see it, Ohio State is at best the top pick to start 2010, and at worst a Top 3 pick.

Your thoughts?  Got a team with a better resume?