There's always next year.

Well, two years in a row we finished the runner-up. I'm not going to apologize for Ohio State. No one else in the country went 11-1 (except for Kansas). They deserved to be there both years. And all the issues that folks said Ohio State couldn't handle, they did. Simply, Ohio State was its own worst enemy.

Look, I'm around college athletes every day and I'm not going to throw Todd Boeckman under the bus. It's a tough job and not many people can get their team to the national championship game. It's just unfortunate that he didn't play well. It was something I noticed the last three games, actually.

I can't say this with certainty, but it sure looked to me that Boeckman got gun shy. Remember when I evaluated the best teams of the Tressel era? It was pre-Illinois game and I said I liked Boeckman because he wasn't afraid to make a mistake. But against Michigan and in this game, he held on to the ball way too long, wouldn't take chances down field and didn't even throw the ball away. He really had a deer-in-the-headlights look.

Certainly, Todd's effort on the season was admirable and solid. He was an All-Big Ten performer. With that said, I'm not sure he's the guy that can get Ohio State a championship. I just don't know if he has that mentality. But he'll have another shot. He's a senior next year. I'm sure he'll learn from this. The only question is whether he'll have a chance next year. Antonio Henton may be breathing down his neck.

I've been saying all year that this team wasn't a national championship team. I didn't think they were good enough to make it there. I thought they would lose at least three games. I thought 9-4 would have been a pretty good year. That just goes to show how talented Ohio State is and how good a coach Tressel is. Yeah, I said Tressel is a good coach. I've also said all year that next year would be our year. Third times a charm?

But look, Boeckman didn't play his best. Stupid penalties and turnovers are a mark of a young team. This was a young team.

My only hope is that everyone returns. Most certainly they won't. But here's my feelings on the three defensive players likely to go.

Malcolm Jenkins - 80 percent chance of leaving. He's a first round pick without a doubt and SHOULD go. I've loved his attitude and willingness to bring the lumber, but I really think Chekwa can step in for him. He's not irreplaceable.

James Laurinaitis - 50/50 on leaving. This kid is a top 10 pick. Middle linebackers with his skill and leadership don't come along every day. He's my favorite Ohio State player in a while and he's the unquestioned leader on the team. I've heard reports that he was going to go. My gut says he will, but my heart wants him to come back. With him in the middle of this defense next year, we'll be back in the title game and I can guarantee that. The only way I want him to leave is if he ends up with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Vernon Gholston - 90 percent chance of leaving. My guess is that he's a top 10 pick based on this season alone. Really good 4-3 edge rushers are hard to find and he's dominant. He'll go to the combine and blow the roof off with his tests. The guy was virtually unblockable this year and will be an impact player in the NFL. Still, let's remember that Lawrence Wilson sat out of the year with a broken leg and a lot of people think Wilson was just as good or maybe better than Vernon. Flip him to the Leo spot and plug Cameron Heyward in on the strong side and the defense won't miss a beat. But that's not saying I don't want him to stay.

It's never too early to look forward to next year. Here's a look at the starting lineup.

WR - Brian Robiskie
LT - Alex Boone
LG - Steve Rehring
C - Jim Cordle
RG - Ben Person
RT - Bryant Browning
TE - Rory Nicol
WR - Brian Hartline
QB - Todd Boeckman
FB - ?
RB - Chris Wells

OSU is losing three seniors at fullback and Kirk Barton at right tackle. Everyone else, plus their backups are returning.

DE - Vernon Gholston/Lawrence Wilson
DT - Todd Denlinger
DT - Doug Worthington
DE - Cameron Heyward/Robert Rose
OLB - Marcus Freeman/Brian Rolle
MLB - James Laurinaitis/Austin Spitler
OLB - Ross Homan
CB - Malcolm Jenkins/Chimdi Chekwa
CB - Donald Washington
FS - Anderson Russell
SS - Kurt Coleman

Possibly 10 returning starters. Plus the return of Homan and Wilson from injury.

So, tough night. But things are already looking up. And if you have trouble coping with the win, just think of August and a Chris Wells stiff arm.