UW Football | Buckeyes' bull's-eye

When last seen by anybody outside of Columbus, the Ohio State Buckeyes were getting swamped by the Florida Gators in the national-championship game.

"You remember it, but you don't dwell on it," linebacker James Laurinaitis said of a 41-14 loss last January, the only defeat for the Buckeyes in their past 22 games.

Laurinaitis, instead, says the Buckeyes are focused on some more distant defeats this week.

"We know a lot about the history of Ohio State vs. Washington and what's happened the last two times we played out there," Laurinaitis said. Those games were each UW wins — 40-7 in 1986 and 25-16 in 1994.

So they say they've turned the page in Columbus, worried more about what can happen with this team and not what could have happened with last year's.

Not that they really have much choice, as these Buckeyes hardly resemble last year's team.

Gone is Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, now with the Baltimore Ravens, replaced by junior Todd Boeckman, as workmanlike as Smith was flashy. Also gone are All-American defensive lineman Quinn Pitcock (Colts); explosive receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (Dolphins); and leading rusher Antonio Pittman (Rams).

When the Buckeyes take the field Saturday at Husky Stadium, just 10 of the players who started against Florida will be in uniform.

"We're a young football team," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel says during just about every news conference he gives.

They are also markedly different in style.

Last year's team was built around the multiple talents of Smith, who threw for a school-record 30 touchdowns and was also capable of winning games with his feet. This year's team is more back-to-basics. "Blue collar," to use another favorite Tressel term.

Boeckman is a 6-foot-5, 243-pound strong-armed dropback passer who runs only at deepest necessity.

"Oh man, it's always tough stepping in for one of the greats in Ohio State history, let alone college football history," said Boeckman, noted for being a "silent-leader" type. "It's tough to step in and do some of the things he did. But I'm just trying to do my best to make something happen for the offense."

Not a lot happened in relatively lackluster wins over Div. I-AA Youngstown State (38-6) and Akron (20-2), however, eliciting lots of stories in Columbus this week about what's wrong with the offense — OSU led just 3-2 at the half against Akron.

Boeckman eventually threw two touchdown passes in the second half against Akron, but few are ready yet to anoint him as the next great OSU quarterback.

And Huskies fans are relishing the prospect of harassing yet another QB making his first road start, ala the struggles of Boise State's Taylor Tharp last week or the memorable win over Miami in 2000 in Ken Dorsey's first road start.

Boeckman admits he's never faced anything like he figures he'll get Saturday, though the hope in Columbus is that his maturity (he's 23 years old, having graduated from high school in 2003 before delaying enrollment at OSU) will help him cope.

"You just can't let those types of things get to you," Boeckman said. With the team also featuring new running backs [Chris "Beanie" Wells is replacing Pittman] and receivers, Tressel understandably calls the offense "a work in progress."

The defense, however, is a lot more proven, led by Laurinaitis, who won the Nagurski Award as the best defensive player in the nation as a sophomore last season.

Ohio State held nine opponents to 10 points or fewer last season (seven to single digits) and despite losing six starters, Laurinaitis said, "I think our defense has the ability to be even better" than a year ago. Ohio State hasn't faced much of a test this season but its defense has been impressive, allowing just eight points and 14 first downs in two games.

The 6-3, 244-pound Laurinaitis, the son of Joe Laurinaitis, a professional wrestler better known as "Road Warrior Animal, " is the leader. James Laurinaitis is often referred to as "Baby Animal" after his dad, while UW coach Tyrone Willingham simply refers to him as "very aggressive."

"They are not a big, slow defense, but a big, fast defense," said UW offensive coordinator Tim Lappano.

One that can probably do everything but outrun the expectations of those in Columbus, which is the one thing that never changes.

"At Ohio State you are always expected to be one of the leading teams in the country," Boeckman said. "They expect that from us every day."

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com.