COLUMBUS: After the season he had last year, Ohio State wide receiver Brian Hartline won't be sneaking up on any defenses or special teams this season.

Hartline, a native of North Canton, became part of a receiving tandem — with running mate Brian Robiskie — that often gave opposing teams fits last season.

The speedy and lanky Hartline had 52 receptions for 694 yards and six touchdowns in his sophomore season, occasionally benefiting from the increased attention that Robiskie received. Adding to his resume, Hartline evolved into a legitimate threat as a punt returner, running 20 back for 229 yards and a touchdown — a 90-yarder against Kent State.

None of that matters to him this year. An outgoing, gregarious sort, Hartline isn't shy when it comes to addressing what's in front of OSU with respect to expectations.

''They're the highest. We had huge expectations going into the '07 year for the '08 year. It's kind of rolling over. '07, if anything, made it a little more difficult for '08,'' he said.

Difficult? That's an understatement. After securing a spot in its second consecutive BCS National Championship Game and losing again, the Buckeyes are the last team that anyone outside of Ohio wants to see return for a third appearance in as many years. The rallying cry in some corners of the national media has been anyone but Ohio State.

''At Ohio State, you always have a bull's-eye. There's no sneaking up on anybody, just like any other year,'' Hartline said. ''That's how it should be. It's a national championship victory or it might be a failure year. We like that aspect of things, and we take it as it is. We really can't change that.''

This season, however, the Buckeyes have every right to expect to compete for a trip to Miami, where the Orange Bowl will host the BCS National Championship Game in January. They return a senior-laden team, many of whom would have been solid NFL prospects.

''I wasn't surprised. We're a pretty tight-knit group . . . We're not going to lie to one another,'' Hartline said of those who decided to return. ''The media, we might mislead a little bit. We knew it. We couldn't say anything. We try to keep it in house. It's a good feeling to have everyone back.''

But as loaded as they are, a few holes still need to be plugged — even in the receiving corps. Robiskie's and Hartline's positions are cemented. The third and fourth slots remain huge question marks, ones that Hartline believes will be answered.

''I don't think it's as much a problem as people really think because of the depth that we have,'' he said. ''It's not a name guy, a name thing, but between the freshman class coming in and the three or four guys we already have, there's going to be some huge competition for that third and fourth spot.''

As for where this crop of receivers ranks, he remembers what assistant head coach and wide receivers coach Darrell Hazell said about the pass catchers.

''It might be one of the best groups he's had since he's been at Ohio State, if not the best,'' Hartline said. ''The depth that we have, again, it's going to be one of those groups where you look back and in three years, you're going to say, 'Wow, that '08 class had a lot of good players and the majority of them might be in the NFL.' So I think a lot of it could be similar to the '06 class.''

If it reads as though Hartline would rather talk about his teammates than himself, that would be an honest assessment.

''As of right now, I think the team is really the essence of everything. Everyone is going to remember the team in 20 years, not Brian Hartline, so that's really what it's going to come down to,'' he said.

He will, however, allow himself a couple of personal goals.

''I really want to do the leadership role. I really want to pass on a lot of morals and ideas to the younger guys,'' he said. ''That's my biggest goal. I think the on-the-field stuff will take care of itself. Another year of experience, just being a second-year guy is a big difference.''

And the other?

''Win the national championship game, plain and simple,'' he said.