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Ok, so I didn't get this published before the Youngstown State game yesterday, but believe me, nothing that happened in that game changed my opinion of how I think the Buckeyes season will go. And of course the Browns don't open until next week.

I wasn't going to write a Buckeyes football preseason piece, but I've seen and heard so many national writers and talking heads predict a third place finish (or worse) for OSU in the Big Ten, and out of the national championship talk altogether, that I just wanted to go on the record (see my picks on our predictions page) as saying I believe they'll be a lot better than many of the "experts" think. It's as if many of these preseason prognosticators have never seen a top notch program like Ohio State reload rather than rebuild. Sure, they lost a lot on offense, but the defense will be stronger than last year, and the players replacing those that departed after last year's national championship game aren't exactly chopped liver.

In addition, the schedule for the Buckeyes lines up just right this year. They have an early season test at Washington (also probably better than many believe, but still not enough talent to beat the Buckeyes), and must play a night game at Purdue, but that game reminds me a lot of last year's Iowa game in which everyone thought Iowa had a chance until the Buckeyes went in and manhandled them on national TV.

Thus, the Buckeyes should be 8-0 and probably ranked 5th or 6th in the country by the time the final four games of the schedule come around, and this is where it gets dicey. Those final four games, at Penn State (night), Wisconsin and Illinois at home, Michigan on the road, likely will decide whether Ohio State plays for another national championship or not.

While it's quite feasible that the Buckeyes could lose 2 or 3 of those games, I believe that by that point in the season their offense will have jelled to overcome the inexperience of a new quarterback and a few new receivers, and the defense will be one of the best in the country. It's just as feasible that Ohio State can win those final four games too, and that's what I believe they'll do. If so, they'll end the season probably no lower than 3rd in the BCS poll, and an excellent chance to redeem themselves in another national championship game.

Part of that confidence is based on the fact that all reports out of the Buckeyes camp say the players and coaches truly are motivated by last year's embarrassing loss to Florida in the championship game, and I also believe that both Penn State and Wisconsin are being given a little too much credit going into the season. They'll be good for sure, but I see the Buckeyes winning close games of Tressel ball against both.

That brings it down once again to the Michigan game. As everyone knows,  a number of Michigan's top players returned this year rather than head to the NFL because they wanted to erase the pain and embarrassment of losing to Ohio State and in a bowl game the past three years. One thing they didn't change, however: Lloyd Carr. Enough said. Sorry Wolverines.

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Now for the Browns. Ok, call me a homer or whatever, but the mostly accepted belief that the Browns are this horrible, horrible team that will be lucky to win 4 or 5 games this year just doesn't ring true to me. Last year's 4-12 team, before the all too familiar string of serious injuries started piling up, came within one play late in the fourth quarter of beating New Orleans, lost by one point to Baltimore on a 52 yard field goal on the last play of the game (after Steve McNair made a few incredible plays to keep the drive alive), lost by one touchdown at Carolina, beat the New York Jets, and lost in the final minute to Pittsburgh after another series of incredible plays by Ben Roethlisberger to keep a final drive alive.

Could the Browns end up with only 4 or 5 wins again? Unfortunately, yes, especially given the fact that they need to learn how to win with the current group of players, and they play in possibly the toughest division in the NFL and quite possibly could lose all 6 division games (see ya later Romeo if that happens). So, why the optimism?

It's not that I believe Brady Quinn is going to be a surprise starter and instantly become the second coming of Bernie Kosar, but I do see improved and more consistent play from Charlie Frye this year, and if Quinn does end up starting by the 7th or 8th game, he'll be much more prepared and capable of leading the team to victory than if he begins the season as the starter.

The Browns also significantly upgraded the offensive line, especially the all important left side (Joe Thomas and Eric Steinbach), and added a healthy Jamal Lewis at running back. Assuming the O-line and Lewis stay relatively healthy, an improved running game will help the passing attack, whether it's Frye or The Mighty Quinn at quarterback.

The Browns defense, although still suspect against the running game, will be better overall with additional experience at linebacker and improved athleticism and coverage ability in the secondary with second round pick Eric Wright and the return of last year's injured players, along with the underrated Leigh Bodden.

If, and I know it's a big if, the Browns can get off to a decent start in the first 5 games (Steelers, Bengals, Raiders, Ravens, Patriots), going 3-2 or even 2-3, and somehow avoid what seems to always be more than their fair share of injuries to key players, it's not at all outside the realm of possibility that an 8-8 record (or dare I say it? 9-7) can set up what would surely be considered a successful season and set the team up for AFC North title contention in 2008 and beyond.

Whether Romeo Crennel will be around at that point or not will be an interesting situation to watch develop, but either way, the Browns and their fans do finally seem to have some legitimate reasons to hope for a brighter future.

Tags: cleveland browns, ohio state football