Game Thread Game Seven: #1 Ohio State 38, Michigan State 7 (10/14/06)

[osugrad21]

Link

Tressel no hair stylist but he knows what he likes

10/10/2006, 3:00 p.m. PT The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) ? What's brewing today with the 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes ...
BUCKEYE BUZZ:@ An enterprising reporter asked Jim Tressel at his weekly news conference Tuesday what the coach thought about offensive lineman T.J. Downing's mohawk-style haircut.
"Our hair rule is: 'As long as it's well groomed' ? and we flunked that one last year," Tressel said, obviously referring to long-haired LBs A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel. "They tell me what we had last year was fashionable, but I don't know."DD START:@ Tressel began his remarks by holding up a picture of former OSU coach Earle Bruce from his playing days. No one knew why and Tressel didn't explain.
OUT AND IN:@ Two-sport star WR Matt Trannon will probably not play against Ohio State on Saturday because of an ankle injury. His replacement is true freshman T.J. Williams.
Starting TE Kellen Davis, substitute TE Eric Andino, and a pair of walk-on receivers have all been suspended from the team for "failing to meet team expectations," the school announced.
On the positive side, DT Clifton Ryan (calf), S Otis Wiley (thumb) and LB David Herron Jr. (concussion) will be available to play.
JOIN THE CROWD:@ DT Quinn Pitcock is perplexed how Michigan State can open with three wins and then turn around and lose the next three in such erratic fashion.
"Michigan State is a great team overall. They put up a high amount of points, they're second in the Big Ten in rushing, put up 400 all-purpose yards," he said. "They've always been a great team but, somehow, they've ended up losing in the long run."
Asked why that was he said, "I'm puzzled like everybody else."

 

[Taosman]

Weather looks good for Saturday.
high of 50 overcast 0% chance of precip

 

[Taosman]

So, which Sparty will show up?
I think the same one that lost to the Wolverines.
They will play hard all game, but not be able to keep up in scoring.

 

[billbubbybigbux]

you mean this guy?

why I oughta....Looks like larry, curly, and moe are missing out on the fun. " pick a finga" nyuck nyuck nyuck

 

[Muck]

Tressel began his remarks by holding up a picture of former OSU coach Earle Bruce from his playing days. No one knew why and Tressel didn't explain."

WTF???

Did Earle have a mohawk?

 

[SanClementeBuck]

An implication Bruce was a stickler for "proper" hair grooming in coaching days.

 

[osugrad21]

DDN

Denlinger to replace injured Patterson

By Doug Harris
Staff Writer

Wednesday, October 11, 2006
COLUMBUS ? Ohio State senior co-captain David Patterson will miss the Michigan State game Saturday with a knee injury, but fellow defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock believes the team will fill the void.
"It's a big loss. He's a key starter. He's made some big plays," said Pitcock, a senior co-captain who has started at DT with Patterson for the last three seasons. "But at the same time, Joel Penton and Todd Denlinger have done great this year and are ready for the challenge to step up."
Denlinger, a redshirt freshman from Troy, was inserted for about two dozen plays against Bowling Green on Saturday.
"He works hard," said Pitcock, who has become a mentor to the younger player despite their high school rivalry. "He's always in the weight room, always in the film room. He kind of reminds me of myself.
"I notice whenever I leave for a meeting or whenever we all hang out in the locker room, he's always right behind me. He's always looking to see where I'm going, trying to learn from me."
Coach Jim Tressel said team doctors believe Patterson will be cleared for the Indiana game Oct. 21.
Starting right tackle Kirk Barton, who played only one series against Bowling Green because of a foot injury, is expected to return to the lineup this week.
Laurinaitis chastised
OSU linebacker James Laurinaitis lateraled the ball to teammate Jamario O'Neal after retrieving a blocked field goal against Bowling Green on Saturday.
Don't look for that to happen again.
Asked if he approved of the play, Tressel said: "No. And he knows that. His mother didn't approve of it. His mother grabbed him and said, 'You're lucky that worked out.' "
Tressel was miffed that another teammate, Malcolm Jenkins, was encouraging Laurinaitis to pitch it.
"Really, I blamed it on Malcolm," Tressel said. "Just ask him. I said, 'That's poor peer pressure.' "
Trannon out
The Spartans are expected to be without starting receiver Matt Trannon (ankle) against the Buckeyes. He'll be replaced by true freshman T.J. Williams.
Starting tight end Kellen Davis also will miss the game while serving a suspension for violating team rules.
But quarterback Drew Stanton told reporters Monday that he's healthy again after suffering a rib injury against Illinois.

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Patterson out
Tressel said senior defensive tackle David Patterson will sit out against the Spartans. Patterson said he suffered a mild sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee in the victory Saturday against Bowling Green.
``As of this day our trainers and doctors have said not this week,'' said Tressel, who did not rule out Patterson playing next week at home against Indiana.
Sharing Patterson's spot will be senior Joel Penton and redshirt freshmen Todd Denlinger and Doug Worthington, the latter moving inside from end.
Worthington, 6-foot-7 and 274 pounds, might have found his niche.
``He's probably the guy who since the season started and his position was moved, he's improved the most,'' senior defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock said. ``He has the fire and wants to play. He has long arms, he's able to get off blocks a lot better. He's just learning the tricks of the trade. He definitely has the tools. He could be like (Jimmy) Kennedy of Penn State a few years ago, a 6-7, 300-pounder who dominates inside.''
Tressel said right tackle Kirk Barton (Perry), who went out on the second play against Bowling Green after undergoing a ``foot procedure'' last week, would miss practice Tuesday but was expected to be at full speed today.
Bad idea
Tressel was not happy with linebacker James Laurinaitis' decision to lateral the football to free safety Jamario O'Neal after cornerback Kurt Coleman blocked a field goal against Bowling Green.
``His mother didn't approve of it, either,'' Tressel said. ``His mother grabbed him and said, `You're lucky that worked out.' ''
Laurinaitis said cornerback Malcolm Jenkins urged him to do it.
``I really blamed it on Malcolm,'' Tressel said. ``I said, `That's poor peer pressure.' And Jamario, I'm told... I didn't hear it... was calling for the ball. So believe me, we've got plenty of work to do.''
BCS watch
The first Bowl Championship Series rankings come out Sunday and the Buckeyes are not No. 1 in three of the six computer polls that will make up one-third of the standings. (The other components are the USA Today coaches' and the Harris polls, which both have OSU in front.)
Here's how the six computer lists look: Jeff Sagarin (OSU, Florida, USC, Michigan); Anderson & Hester (USC, OSU, Florida, Michigan); Richard Billingsley (OSU, USC, Michigan, Florida); Colley Matrix (USC, OSU, Florida, Michigan); Kenneth Massey (USC, Florida, OSU, Michigan); Dr. Peter Wolfe (to be released Sunday).

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

[FONT=arial,sans-serif]Tuesday, October 10, 2006[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,sans-serif]Patterson out for MSU game

3:25 p.m.

COLUMBUS ? Ohio State starting defensive tackle David Patterson will miss Saturday?s game against Michigan State, coach Jim Tressel said today.

Patterson injured his right knee against Bowling Green and sat out the second half. Immediately after the game, Patterson said he had sprained a knee ligament, and Tressel said his status was day-to-day.

?As of this day, we?ve said he will not play this week,? Tressel said today at his weekly news luncheon.

Bur Tressel also said Patterson, a senior captain, is expected to return against Indiana in two weeks.

?That?s still what we have as a goal,? Tressel said.

Tressel said senior Joel Penton, who has seen regular action as part of the rotation at tackle, will start in Patterson?s place. Todd Denlinger will be the first backup there, while Doug Worthington, who had been splitting practice time between defensive end and defensive tackle, also is expected to play inside in Patterson?s absence.

Starting offensive tackle Kirk Barton, who went out in the first series against Bowling Green with a foot injury, should be ready by Saturday.

?He won?t practice today, but we?re expecting him to be full speed tomorrow,? Tressel said.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Quarterback Troy Smith was named Ohio State?s offensive player of the week. Vernon Gholston won the award on defense, and Andre Amos won the award on special teams for his play covering kickoffs and punts.

Tight end Rory Nicol was the Jim Parker offensive lineman of the week, the sixth player to win it in six weeks. Defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock was the Attack Force Player of the Week.

The scout team players of the week were Jon Thoma, Matt Daniels and Dan Dye. [/FONT]

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

[FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Beating Buckeyes would revitalize Michigan State[/FONT]

Wednesday, October 11, 2006 [FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]By Todd Porter
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER [/FONT]

Ohio State at Michigan State
3:30 p.m. Saturday
Spartan Stadium, East Lansing
TV WEWS



COLUMBUS Shortly after Ohio State barely broke a sweat by beating Bowling Green, the Buckeye captains gave the Falcons more than their just due.
?Hats off to Bowling Green,? quarterback Troy Smith said.
Michigan State Head Coach John L. Smith is still wearing the hat in East Lansing. Nothing could do his program better than an upset over No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday at Spartan Stadium.
The Buckeyes are more than a two-touchdown favorite coming off a game in which the offense wasn?t crisp.
They?re facing a Michigan State program that has a history of ruining a season in Columbus. No wonder the Buckeyes are talking like they are taking the challenge seriously.
?If you don?t think Bowling Green can stop your run or beat you on a pass rush or throw a touchdown on you, then you?re in trouble,? Head Coach Jim Tressel said. ?If you don?t think Michigan State can wax you, you?re in trouble, because they can.?
Every year in the Big Ten, there seems to be a game like this where the underdog knocks off the favorite. That probably is why the conference has produced just four outright champions during the last 10 seasons and Ohio State hasn?t won an outright title since 1984.
The Spartans are struggling and have been since losing a double-digit fourth-quarter lead against Notre Dame three weeks ago. Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton was picked off twice, with one returned for a touchdown.
Some fault Smith for sitting on the ball with a lead and six minutes left to play.
It was the start of a three-game losing streak that includes an embarrassing loss to Illinois, a team that has won just one Big Ten game in three seasons.
Smith has spent the last two weeks under fire. Fans are unhappy with the program, and Stanton didn?t exactly give the staff a vote of confidence last week when he said players had Smith?s back ?and that?s about all you can say about that.?
Smith is taking the approach that Michigan State can beat Ohio State if the Spartans aren?t their own worst enemy as they were in last week?s 18-point loss to Michigan.
?As long as you get to play this game, you may never ? and most people never do ? get the opportunity to play the No. 1 team in the nation,? Smith said. ?We have to look at this opportunity as a great challenge. Hopefully, that will get us fired up and ready to go.
?(Beating Ohio State) would be great for our kids from their mental outlook as much as anything else. They?ve battled hard, and I?m proud of their effort. It?s just good from a mental standpoint to get a win.?
The last three weeks have been about psyche rebuilding. Smith can show a half dozen plays that are the difference between being 6-0 and 3-3. It?s the difference between being ranked in the Top 20 and being overlooked.
Hugs and kudos from the coach aren?t enough. An appreciation for hard work only lasts so long because, after all, a washing machine works hard, too.
?They need (a win),? Smith said. ?They need to get a little sugar. You can give them pats on the back and hugs, but that?s not enough. A win would be great for them.?
And devastating to Ohio State.
Tressel has shown players film of how good Stanton can be. But Tressel will have to build up an offense that is without its top running back in Javon Ringer.
?You can see certain things where you say no one has stopped them,? Tressel said. ?Then there is a turnover or a penalty. John L. is accurate when he talks about that fact.?
If Smith doesn?t win this weekend, though, somebody else may be making that point next week in East Lansing.
Smith shrugged off the pressure he is under. It?s a necessary evil of the job.
Tressel defended his colleague. As for the Notre Dame loss, Tressel said, ?He didn?t throw any of those balls. But ... our job is to try to make it right. When it doesn?t go right ... you work to make it better the next time.
?This is a tough league. ... Eleven teams have high expectations, maybe some teams have even higher. You have respect for anyone who does that job, especially who?s done it with the success ratio he has.?
In essence, Tressel took his hat off to Smith, a .500 Big Ten coach who may need a win at home against No. 1 to stick around.

 

[osugrad21]

Link

Preview: No. 1 Ohio State at Michigan State
Associated Press

Tue, Oct 10, 2006


Ohio State began the nation`s longest winning streak with a victory over Michigan State last season.
Now the top-ranked Buckeyes look to extend that streak to 14 and continue their run at a national championship Saturday when they visit the Spartans.
Oddsmakers have the Buckeyes listed as 14 1/2-point favorites. The total is set at 54 1/2.
The last time these Big Ten rivals squared off on Oct. 15, 2005, Ohio State was reeling after two losses in four games. A 35-24 come-from-behind victory over the Spartans sparked a seven-game winning streak that led to a share of the Big Ten title and a season-ending 34-20 Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame.
The Buckeyes (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) have kept that streak intact this season, rattling off six consecutive wins - including three over ranked opponents. The last Ohio State team to begin the season 6-0 was the 2002 National Championship team.
The Buckeyes again appear to be a championship-caliber team. They are averaging 32.8 points and 386.7 yards this season, led by senior quarterback Troy Smith, whose 170.6 passer rating leads the Big Ten.
Smith connected on his first nine passes against Bowling Green last week and completed 85 percent (17 of 20) overall for 191 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 35-7 win. His completion percentage was the third-best mark in team history, helping him earn Big Ten co-offensive player of the week honors.
``I thought his footwork, his focus on doing just the little things right was really outstanding in the ball game,`` Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said.
Ted Ginn Jr., Smith`s high school teammate, has been his favorite target this season with 33 receptions for 459 yards, including a career-high 10 catches for 122 yards and a TD last week.
The Buckeyes have also had success on the ground with Antonio Pittman, who leads the team with 109 carries for 628 yards and seven touchdowns. The junior running back had season lows of 13 carries and 61 yards last week, but had his first two-touchdown game of the year.
The Buckeyes are 21-for-26 in the red zone this season with 18 touchdowns and three field goals. While that offense has been impressive, Ohio State`s defense - which boasts nine new starters - has been dominant.
The Buckeyes lead the nation in scoring defense (9.3) and are tied for first with 12 interceptions, double the total they had all of last year. They also lead the Big Ten with 20 sacks.
Those numbers will likely only improve as the Buckeyes` victory last weekend marked the first of six straight matchups against struggling teams. Ohio State`s next five opponents- Michigan State, Indiana, Minnesota, Illinois and Northwestern- are the bottom five teams in the Big Ten.
The Buckeyes, though, aren`t looking past Michigan State, which posted upset wins in 1974 and 1998 over then top-ranked Ohio State teams.
``Michigan State will be another big test,`` said Buckeyes linebacker James Laurinaitis, who leads the Big Ten with four interceptions. ``They definitely think they should`ve beat us last year.``
The Spartans (3-3, 0-2) were well on their way with a 10-point lead late in the second quarter during that last meeting, but a key special teams play before the half changed the momentum of the game and possibly Ohio State`s season.
Michigan State`s kick unit tried to beat the clock and rush a 35-yard field-goal attempt while offensive players were still trying to get the field. Ohio State`s Nate Salley blocked the kick, and cornerback Ashton Youboty returned it 72 yards for a touchdown as time expired.
That was just the boost the Buckeyes needed as they scored three second-half touchdowns to win the game. Ohio State`s ability to close out teams has continued this season as it has outscored opponents 76-16 in the fourth quarter.
Michigan State`s inability to close out then-No. 12 Notre Dame three weeks ago triggered its current losing streak. The Spartans opened the season with three straight wins and held a 16-point lead over the Fighting Irish at the beginning of the fourth quarter on Sept. 23, but lost the game 40-37.
Their current skid hit three games after a 31-13 defeat to then-No. 6 Michigan last week. Drew Stanton completed 20 of 35 passes for 252 yards, but failed to throw a TD pass for the second straight game and was intercepted twice.
The senior quarterback, who played with bruised ribs last week, will have limited targets to throw to on Saturday. No. 2 receiver Matt Trannon will likely miss the game with an ankle injury, while tight ends Kellen Davis and Eric Andino remain suspended indefinitely.
Michigan State coach John L. Smith, whose job may be in jeopardy, realizes his team needs a turnaround.
``I think we have to show up,`` Smith said. ``That`s pretty evident, isn`t it. I kind of believe that. That`s the word that has been passed on, isn`t it?``
Ohio State leads the all-time series 24-12, including an 11-5 advantage in East Lansing, and has won four straight meetings.

 

[osugrad21]

Link

Berry remembers '98 letdown
JASON LLOYD, Morning Journal Writer
10/11/2006



COLUMBUS -- Former Ohio State safety Gary Berry firmly believes he was part of perhaps the greatest Buckeyes team ever assembled.


But the stunning loss at home against Michigan State, when the Bucks were ranked No. 1, tarnished the 1998 season.

The main difference between then and now, he said, was the ability to win close games. John Cooper's teams never did it. Jim Tressel's teams always do.

''We had a great team. We worked hard day in and day out,'' said Berry, who now works for a Columbus television station. ''But when it came down to close games in the '90s -- when we had to deal with adversity, I don't think we did that very well.''

Especially against Michigan State in 1998, when the Buckeyes entered as 26 1/2-point favorites and still lost at home, 28-24.

Part of the reason for the struggles in close games, Berry said, was the fact it didn't happen very often. Aside from the loss to the Spartans, the closest victory was 15 points -- over Michigan, no less. Because Ohio State players weren't in close games very often, they didn't know how to respond when they were.

''I noticed it from when coach Tressel first came on the scene,'' Berry said. ''You see they're in a lot of closer games. They might be the better team, but they're in closer games. Last week, Bowling Green came out a little more physical and (Ohio State) kept their starters in basically the whole game. If that was us, we were sitting on the sidelines at halftime.''

That 1998 team was loaded, with David Boston's 1,435 receiving yards, Michael Wiley's 1,235 rushing yards and Joe Germaine's precision passing. Even backup Joe Montgomery had 800 rushing yards.

Defensively, eight starters were drafted, including linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer and the entire secondary, which included Berry and cornerback Ahmed Plummer.

Because of all that talent, Berry thinks that '98 team could've beaten any other Ohio State team in history -- including the national championship team from 2002 or this year's No. 1 team.

''Nothing against this team, they're a great team,'' Berry said. ''But hands down, I think we could've beaten any Ohio State team, ever. But with that loss, I can't really say anything because we didn't win the national championship. But on paper, we could've beaten anybody.''

Injury report

Defensive tackle David Patterson, who injured his knee last week against Bowling Green, will likely miss Saturday's game at Michigan State. But he's not expected to miss time beyond this week.

Joel Penton, Todd Denlinger and Doug Worthington will share time at tackle in his absence.

Right tackle Kirk Barton left after a handful of plays with foot problems against the Falcons. He should be back for the Spartans.

''We're expecting him to be full speed (today),'' Tressel said.

Hair today

Last year's Ohio State team was full of players with shaggy hair hanging out the back of their helmet. Right guard T.J. Downing is leading a movement in the exact opposite direction with an intimidating mohawk.

Coach Jim Tressel said his only rule about hair is that it must be well groomed.

''And we flunked that one last year,'' he said, ''not that I didn't try. And your facial hair needs to be lined up, so those are broad definitions of both. They tell me that what we had last year was fashionable, but I don't know.''

 

[osugrad21]

Morning Journal

Bucks not sure what to expect from Spartans
JASON LLOYD, Morning Journal Writer
10/11/2006


http://www.zwire.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=1699&dept_id=46370&newsid=17311121

COLUMBUS -- When No. 1 Ohio State walks into East Lansing on Saturday, the Buckeyes could be walking into a trap or they could be the ones emptying it.


No one really knows which one it is.

Ohio State will face a Michigan State team that has been left for dead after looking so good at the beginning of the year and so bad ever since. Which team shows up Saturday is anybody's guess.

The Spartans looked like a Top 10 powerhouse through the first half against Notre Dame three weeks ago. But since the fourth quarter against the Irish, Michigan State has been outscored, 73-33, and has lost three straight, looking like the same team that collapsed last year by losing six of its last seven.

Ohio State had something to do with that collapse, too.

The Spartans had dominated all the offensive statistics last year and held a 17-7 lead on the Buckeyes just before the half. But that's when it all came apart. Trying to get a field goal off before the second-quarter clock expired, the Spartans snapped the ball with just 10 players on the field.

The Buckeyes easily blocked the kick and returned it for a game-changing touchdown. Instead of going into the half thoroughly whipped and trailing, 20-7, instead they were down just 17-14 and feeling pretty good. Ohio State eventually won the game, 35-24, and Michigan State never seemed to recover.

Once again this year, it seems every big play goes against Michigan State.

Quarterback Drew Stanton turned the ball over three times in the fourth quarter against Notre Dame, then fumbled it away again on the goal line on the opening drive against Illinois. While he didn't have any monumental miscues last week against Michigan, he didn't get much help, either.

Receivers dropped five of Stanton's passes, including one sure touchdown in the end zone, and Michigan State also committed 11 penalties.

All of this makes Spartans coach John L. Smith and Miami's Larry Coker two of the most likely coaches to be fired at the end of the season, especially if things don't get better quickly. But Michigan State has proven it has the ability to play well at times.

''I told our players, ?Look at when we play right. Look at when we execute,''' Smith said. ''But we can't afford to drop five balls ... We have to play more correctly. Then we can play with people.''

The task this week is even greater. The Spartans will be without leading rusher Javon Ringer and leading receiver Matt Trannon. Ringer is out for the year with a knee injury and Trannon has been slowed by ankle and hamstring problems.

Earlier this year against Eastern Michigan, Trannon set a school record with 14 catches in a single game. But in the four games since, he was held to seven catches.

Without Ringer, the bulk of the rushing load falls on Jehuu Caulcrick, who ran for 111 yards on eight carries against Notre Dame. But without the speedy Ringer, Caulcrick has struggled. Last week against Michigan's No. 1 rushing defense in the country, Caulcrick was limited to 29 yards on 14 carries.

Those injuries don't even take into account Stanton's bruised ribs or the various injuries to defensive tackle Clifton Ryan, linebacker David Herron and safety Otis Wiley. All are expected to play against Ohio State, but will do so at less than 100 percent after getting hurt against Michigan. Stanton bruised his ribs on a wicked hit against Illinois two weeks ago.

But through all of this, if the players are intent on saving Smith's job, the easiest way to do it is to upset the No. 1 team in the country. That leaves Ohio State wondering which Michigan State team will appear on Saturday -- the one that began 3-0 and looked so dominant for three quarters against Notre Dame, or the one that has since lost three straight and looked so terrible in the process?

''The only thing you know for sure is you are going to get a team that's going to come out and they're going to be playing their rear ends off,'' Tressel said. ''Now what are you going to get from an execution standpoint? That's what you don't know. But I don't know what we're going to get. That's why you play the game.''

 

[osugrad21]

Link

Pressure is on for John L., Spartans
Buckeyes could deal MSU fourth consecutive loss
By JON SPENCER
For The Advocate

COLUMBUS -- It's October, which means Michigan State's football program is in its usual tailspin and coach John L. Smith has grill marks on his fanny.
In his tumultuous three-plus years of running the show, the Spartans are 13-5 before Oct. 1 and 8-16 after, including only four wins in their last 16 post-September games.
That doesn't give the dwindling faithful much hope entering Saturday's visit from No. 1 Ohio State. The Buckeyes have won the last four games in the series and ride a 13-game winning streak into East Lansing.
"The only thing you know for sure is you are going to get a team that's going to come out and play its rear end off," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said of MSU.Oh, really?
Tell that to Spartan loyalists who have seen their team lose three straight in stunningly bad fashion since opening the season 3-0.
First there was the fourth-quarter collapse in which they blew a 16-point lead against Notre Dame on national TV. Then there was the tank job at home to an Illinois team that had lost 24 of its previous 25 Big Ten games. Looking like they had completely quit on Smith, the Spartans committed 11 penalties and dropped five passes in a 31-13 stinker at Michigan last week.
The Spartans are bruised and battered, starting with their eccentric head coach, who smacked himself in front of the media after the Illinois debacle. Veteran wide receive Matt Trannon has a sprained ankle and won't play against the Buckeyes. Tight ends Kellen Davis and Eric Andino have been suspended indefinitely for "failure to meet team expectations." Defensive tackle Clifton Ryan, linebacker David Herron and free safety Otis Wiley were all injured in the Michigan game and will be at less than full strength.
OSU's loss of defensive tackle David Patterson (knee) for at least this week looks minor in comparison.
There are so many critics nipping at his heels, Smith probably wishes he were back in Pamplona, Spain, running with the bulls. His 2001 adventure must seem like a morning jog now.
"I feel for anyone that coaches in this league," said Tressel, who is 3-0 against the Spartans. "This is a tough league. Eleven teams have high expectations, maybe some even higher, and not all 11 are going to meet those expectations."
Former OSU great Chris Spielman and ESPN sidekick Sean McDonough noted during their broadcast of the Michigan State-Michigan game that Smith said in a preproduction meeting with the TV crew that the Spartans had to reach a bowl game or he and his staff would be fired.
"I don't recall saying that to them," said Smith, who has two years left after this season on a six-year contract. But when pressed about his job security, Smith said, "I think we have to show up ... I think it's pretty evident."
Asked if he has ever felt like he was on the proverbial hot seat, Tressel deadpanned, "Since Jan. 1, 2001. Every year."
The sixth-year coach doesn't need a long memory to remember when things got rather toasty. In last year's game with Michigan State, the Spartans were about to pad a 17-7 lead before halftime. The Buckeyes looked like they would fall to 3-3 for the second straight season.
But John L. and his staff helped bail them out. Confusion reigned on the MSU sideline with the Spartans on the OSU 17-yard line. Out of timeouts, they tried to rush their field goal unit on the field instead of spiking the ball to stop the clock.
Michigan State lined up illegally, Nate Salley blocked the kick and Ashton Youboty returned it 72 yards for a touchdown that ultimately turned around Ohio State's 10-2 season.
No doubt, that game will be part of the weekly history lesson Tressel gives his team in preparation for Saturday's game. Sure to come up, too, is the 1998 shocker that saw No. 1 OSU blow a 24-9 third quarter lead in a 28-24 loss to the Spartans, a 28-point underdog.
"History has a tendency to repeat itself, so we're going to look back at those situations and try to learn from them," senior defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock said.
What, if anything, does Pitcock remember about that '98 meltdown?
"I didn't watch it," he said. "I was out riding my bike."

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Dangerous tag suits Spartans
Michigan State could rescue its season with major upset

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

</IMG>


Yesterday, as they do every Tuesday, Ohio State players gathered around coach Jim Tressel for story time.
They sat hushed as Tressel weaved a tale of a dangerous Michigan State opponent. The story was illustrated by facts and stats, as well as drawing on the players? own recent memories.
It?s part of Tressel?s gameweek routine, called, "story line," and it?s designed to introduce the theme of the week.
"You talk about a lot of things when you talk about understanding the difficulty of the challenge," Tressel said. "You go all the way back in time to the greatness both teams have had and how that relates to where we are today, but it?s nothing that you fabricate.
"I think what?s important is you point out the facts. ? I think perspective is very important."
It?s part history lesson and part statistical analysis. Tressel will bring up key games in a series that might be relevant that week, such as Michigan State beating No. 1-ranked OSU in 1974 and 1998.
But a staple of the study is a look at how both teams have fared over the years in four key categories: points scored, turnover margin, rushing yards for and against and special teams.
"If we were going to put a fifth one up it would be explosive gains," center Doug Datish said. "But those are the standards. You can see how it works out, if one team dominates one category, that can kind of make up for deficiency in the other one. And if they dominate two categories, then I?d say 95 percent of the time they?re going to win."
Over time, Tressel?s players begin to understand how important those categories are to success.
"It?s 99 percent effective on showing what are key factors in a game that can change a game," defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock said. "Very rarely is he ever wrong."
So, for example, last week the Buckeyes (6-0) heard about Bowling Green giving OSU a good fight in 1992 (losing 17-6) and in 2003 (losing 24-17). This week, they heard Michigan State is No. 2 in the Big Ten in rushing.
And even something that seems like a negative about the opponent can be turned into a warning. The unranked Spartans (3-3) have lost three straight and seem to be collapsing, but Tressel reminded the Buckeyes how they responded in 2004 after losing three straight to stand at 3-3.
OSU won its next three and five of six to salvage a season.
"We can remember that feeling," tight end Rory Nicol said. "That was kind of a point in our season where we thought we were going to go in one of two directions, and I?m sure they?re kind of feeling the same way right now."
Tressel talked about the game last year, as well, when the Buckeyes were trailing 17-7 and the Spartans were lining up for a field goal attempt just before halftime.
OSU was coming off a loss to Penn State and stood 3-2. Another loss would have been catastrophic.
Instead, cornerback Ashton Youboty returned the blocked kick for a touchdown and OSU went on to a 35-24 victory.
It was the first win in the team?s current 13-game win streak.
"I?m sure that gave our guys some confidence," Tressel said.
Listening to stat breakdowns and history lessons can?t guarantee victory, obviously. But if the Buckeyes overlook an opponent, they can?t say they weren?t warned.
"If you don?t think Bowling Green can stop your run or beat you on a pass rush or throw a touchdown on you, then you?re in trouble," Tressel said. "If you don?t think Michigan State can wax you, you?re in trouble, because they can."
He has the stories to prove it.
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