It has been a long offseason for Tressel, who was found to have failed to tell the NCAA of the violations surrounding some of his players that led to five-game suspensions to start this season. And that’s probably the major question for Tressel this spring and the fall: He and his staff must figure out who will fill the temporary voids left by starters QB Terrelle Pryor, WR DeVier Posey, RB Daniel “Boom” Herron and LT Mike Adams on offense and DE Solomon Thomas on defense. Those five inexplicably were allowed to play in the Sugar Bowl but all will miss the first five games of 2011: home to Akron and Toledo, at Miami (Fla.) and home to Colorado and Michigan State in the Big Ten opener. Tressel also will sit out those five games but will be involved in all non-game day activities around the team. The Buckeyes are 14/1 on Bodog’s NCAA football odds to win the national title.

Not including those suspended guys, the Buckeyes have to replace three offensive and seven defensive starters. That defense was the strength last year as it ranked No. 1 overall in the Big Ten. Ohio State allowed only 96.7 rushing yards per game last season, and gave up just nine rushing and nine passing touchdowns in 13 games.

The OSU offense has struggled this spring, but Pryor is recovering from foot surgery and all those offensive linemen are sidelined. But wide receiver looks like a problem area, especially with Posey out those five games. The offensive line will have only two starters back until Adams’ suspension is over. And it’s still not clear who will replace Pryor during those five games. The spring has been a massive audition for senior-to-be Joe Bauserman, sophomore Kenny Guiton, redshirt freshman Taylor Graham and incoming freshman Braxton Miller.

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