Ten Big Game Changers: Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward

CHICAGO - Ohio State's success breeds a swagger that most football programs resent and nearly all envy. Buckeyes defensive end Cameron Heyward, for one, welcomes the scrutiny.

Before the Buckeyes' home game against Iowa last November in a de facto Big Ten championship game, Buckeyes players entered Ohio Stadium at one gate decked in suits. As they walked on to the field, the loudspeakers blared “Woke Up This Morning,” the theme song to the HBO series “The Sopranos.” It displayed confidence, almost an arrogance, befitting of a team that won at least a share of its fifth straight Big Ten title later that day.

“I think we all know that every team wants to beat us,” Heyward said. “Coming off a Big Ten championship year, who's going to dethrone us? That's the real question. We have to step up. It's not guaranteed. We want a Big Ten championship, and we have to go out there every week like that.

“Hey I would be tired of us, too. We look forward to the challenge.”

Heyward, a preseason All-American defensive line candidate, said his team approaches every game knowing it will get their opponents' best effort. Coach Jim Tressel prepares his squad for those challenges every week.

“I think we should be a team that's being targeted,” Tressel said. “I know we'll be a team that's begin targeted, and we'll always get everyone's best shot.”

Heyward, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 288 pounds, is one of the players Ohio State will rely upon this year as it seeks a record sixth straight league crown. Heyward, the son of former bruising NFL running back Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, recorded 10 tackles for loss last year and has 24.5 in his career.

Last year he was named second-team all-Big Ten, finishing with 6.5 sacks. He earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors after smashing Penn State for 11 tackles, including three for loss, in a 24-7 win.

Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien, who was sacked once by Heyward, listed the Ohio State senior just after Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn as the league's best defensive player.

“I'm looking at Cameron Heyward right now ... and that guy has made his share of plays,” Tolzien said at Big Ten Media Days.

With several of last year's defensive line teammates in the NFL, Heyward now knows the pressure is on him to surpass last year's statistical total. He seems poised to anchor this year's group.

“We lost a lot of great talent last year,” Heyward said. “It's going to be a different feel.”

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

• 2009 record: 11-2, 7-1 (beat Oregon 26-17 in Rose Bowl)
• 2009 review: Ohio State was in disarray midway through the season. The Buckeyes had lost to USC and Purdue and had played poorly in wins over Navy and Wisconsin. But midway through a victory against Minnesota, the team started to click. Ohio State then beat Penn State soundly, edged Iowa in overtime, pounded long-time rival Michigan and rolled over Pac-10 champion Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Ohio State finished the season ranked No. 5.
• 2010 ranking: No. 2 in USA Today Coaches Poll
• 2010 schedule: S2 Marshall; S11 Miami (Fla.); S18 Ohio; S25 Eastern Michigan; O2 at Illinois; O9 Indiana; O16 at Wisconsin; O23 Purdue; O30 at Minnesota; N13 Penn State; N20 at Iowa; N27 Michigan
• 2010 preview: Ohio State has its best team since 2006, when it was ranked first virtually the entire season before falling apart against Florida in the BCS title game. The Buckeyes return nine starters on offense, including all-everything QB Terrelle Pryor, a junior. Pryor shook off his early inconsistencies to post solid games against Iowa and Oregon. He was effective, not spectacular, against Iowa, completing 14 of 17 passes for 93 yards. He blew up Oregon for 266 yards and 2 TDs passing and 72 yards rushing. Pryor is joined by four starting offensive linemen, including returning all-Big Ten tackle Justin Boren. Starting WRs DeVier Posey and Dane Sanzenbacher also return, along with running backs Brandon Saine and Dan Herron. Pryor, Saine and Herron each ran for at least 600 yards last year. Defensively, the Buckeyes return five starters, including possible All-Americans in defensive end Cameron Heyward, linebacker Ross Homan and cornerback . Homan led the team in tackles and interceptions last year, while Heyward had 6.5 sacks.
• Making the rounds: Ohio State continues its tradition of playing one top-notch school in out-of-conference play. This year, the Buckeyes host Miami (Fla.), the first time the schools will have played since the Fiesta Bowl in 2003. In conference play, Ohio State plays at both Wisconsin and Iowa in pivotal games that likely will decide the league title. The Buckeyes miss 2009 bowl teams Michigan State and Northwestern and play arch-rival Michigan at home.
• Bowl game if: The Buckeyes have BCS title aspirations and are favored to reach the title game. Anything less than a BCS bowl is borderline unacceptable in Columbus. Anything less than the Capital One Bowl would be a shocker this year.
• Home for the holidays if: The team bus fails to reach its destination seven times this season.
• Quotable: "I think we should be a team that's targeted. I know we'll be a team that's being targeted. And we'll always get everyone's best shot." -- Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel
• Prediction: 10-2 overall, 6-2 Big Ten (Capital One Bowl)