cincibuck
You kids stay off my lawn!
Buckeyes plan on going national
By Rusty Miller
The Associated Press
<!-- ARTICLE SIDEBAR --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->COLUMBUS - Jim Tressel isn't following the ages-old coaching rule of putting a lid on expectations. He's fanning the flames.
In preparation for this week's start of spring football practice, the Ohio State head coach said Tuesday he wants his players to consider themselves contenders for the 2005 national title.
"(The) question is, would it be outlandish for this group to consider the possibility of being the best team in the land, and I don't think so at all," Tressel said.
Ohio State returns 18 starters from a team that went 8-4 last season, including freshman sensation Ted Ginn Jr. There are nine starters on each side of the ball.
How strong are the returning Buckeyes? It appears their biggest loss might be a place-kicker, All-American Mike Nugent.
They also are without their leading rusher (Lydell Ross, with a meager 475 yards), punter Kyle Turano, cornerback Dustin Fox, guard Mike Kne and defensive end Simon Fraser.
The Buckeyes like hearing their coach talk about No. 1.
"Every team should go into every season with that mentality that they can win the national championship," wide receiver Santonio Holmes said.
Linebacker Anthony Schlegel said despite coming off a tie for fifth in the Big Ten, everyone is excited by the way the Buckeyes finished last season. The Buckeyes rocked No. 7 Michigan 37-21, then rolled over Oklahoma State 33-7 in the Alamo Bowl.
"Everybody has those last two games in their mind," he said.
Holmes said the bold talk doesn't put any heat on the team.
"We've been around each other enough to know how everyone plays, what to expect and what we can do as a team," he said. "We just need to put all those things together and go for it."
Linebacker Bobby Carpenter said it's only natural to aim high.
"We want to be up there. You never say, 'Well, I hope we go 7-4 this year.' We want to go 11-0. We want to win a national title. That's been my goal every year since I've been here," he said. "Even if I didn't think we necessarily had the best talent - which this year I think we do - you still want to be No. 1 when the day's over."
Tressel met with most of his veteran players in lengthy one-on-one exchanges over the past two months. He asked each about their goals and about what needed to be done to reach them.
"I think it was Anthony Schlegel, when I asked him what's our greatest challenge in 2005, who said, 'Making everyone understand what it takes on the field, in practice, on game day, in the classroom, outside of campus - to be a champion.'
"I think we have guys interested in doing that."
OSU's Smith must sit out vs. Miami
Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith can return to the team if he makes restitution for money received from a booster and is held out of the Buckeyes' season opener against Miami University, the NCAA told the team.
Athletic director Andy Geiger said Smith, who was suspended for December's Alamo Bowl because of the issue, must pay "around $500" to a charity.
Said coach Jim Tressel: "Troy will take care of those things and will be ready to go after another game suspension."
Smith played sparingly the first five games of last season, then stepped in after the Buckeyes lost their first three games in Big Ten play with Justin Zwick as quarterback. Ohio State won three of its next four games before Smith became a star by rushing for 145 yards and a touchdown and passing for 241 yards and two scores in a 37-21 upset of Michigan.
The investigation of Smith was only one aspect of an NCAA probe into allegations of academic fraud, payments to players and high-paying no-show summer jobs for student-athletes. Tressel said he has not spoken to the NCAA since November and had no idea when the investigation would wrap up.
"Now, are they still asking questions? I would assume. Just like we're still asking questions," Tressel said.
Smith will work out with the Buckeyes when they begin spring practices on Thursday. Justin Zwick, who started the first six games and the bowl game, is listed No. 1 on the depth chart.
By Rusty Miller
The Associated Press
<!-- ARTICLE SIDEBAR --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->COLUMBUS - Jim Tressel isn't following the ages-old coaching rule of putting a lid on expectations. He's fanning the flames.
In preparation for this week's start of spring football practice, the Ohio State head coach said Tuesday he wants his players to consider themselves contenders for the 2005 national title.
"(The) question is, would it be outlandish for this group to consider the possibility of being the best team in the land, and I don't think so at all," Tressel said.
Ohio State returns 18 starters from a team that went 8-4 last season, including freshman sensation Ted Ginn Jr. There are nine starters on each side of the ball.
How strong are the returning Buckeyes? It appears their biggest loss might be a place-kicker, All-American Mike Nugent.
They also are without their leading rusher (Lydell Ross, with a meager 475 yards), punter Kyle Turano, cornerback Dustin Fox, guard Mike Kne and defensive end Simon Fraser.
The Buckeyes like hearing their coach talk about No. 1.
"Every team should go into every season with that mentality that they can win the national championship," wide receiver Santonio Holmes said.
Linebacker Anthony Schlegel said despite coming off a tie for fifth in the Big Ten, everyone is excited by the way the Buckeyes finished last season. The Buckeyes rocked No. 7 Michigan 37-21, then rolled over Oklahoma State 33-7 in the Alamo Bowl.
"Everybody has those last two games in their mind," he said.
Holmes said the bold talk doesn't put any heat on the team.
"We've been around each other enough to know how everyone plays, what to expect and what we can do as a team," he said. "We just need to put all those things together and go for it."
Linebacker Bobby Carpenter said it's only natural to aim high.
"We want to be up there. You never say, 'Well, I hope we go 7-4 this year.' We want to go 11-0. We want to win a national title. That's been my goal every year since I've been here," he said. "Even if I didn't think we necessarily had the best talent - which this year I think we do - you still want to be No. 1 when the day's over."
Tressel met with most of his veteran players in lengthy one-on-one exchanges over the past two months. He asked each about their goals and about what needed to be done to reach them.
"I think it was Anthony Schlegel, when I asked him what's our greatest challenge in 2005, who said, 'Making everyone understand what it takes on the field, in practice, on game day, in the classroom, outside of campus - to be a champion.'
"I think we have guys interested in doing that."
OSU's Smith must sit out vs. Miami
Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith can return to the team if he makes restitution for money received from a booster and is held out of the Buckeyes' season opener against Miami University, the NCAA told the team.
Athletic director Andy Geiger said Smith, who was suspended for December's Alamo Bowl because of the issue, must pay "around $500" to a charity.
Said coach Jim Tressel: "Troy will take care of those things and will be ready to go after another game suspension."
Smith played sparingly the first five games of last season, then stepped in after the Buckeyes lost their first three games in Big Ten play with Justin Zwick as quarterback. Ohio State won three of its next four games before Smith became a star by rushing for 145 yards and a touchdown and passing for 241 yards and two scores in a 37-21 upset of Michigan.
The investigation of Smith was only one aspect of an NCAA probe into allegations of academic fraud, payments to players and high-paying no-show summer jobs for student-athletes. Tressel said he has not spoken to the NCAA since November and had no idea when the investigation would wrap up.
"Now, are they still asking questions? I would assume. Just like we're still asking questions," Tressel said.
Smith will work out with the Buckeyes when they begin spring practices on Thursday. Justin Zwick, who started the first six games and the bowl game, is listed No. 1 on the depth chart.
