By: MATT MARKEY (ToledoBlade.com) -- COLUMBUS - Ohio State had a mini galaxy of stars on its defense last year, but when five starters departed from that group and landed in NFL training camps, it appeared that a somewhat major rebuild might be in order. But four games into the 2009 season, the Buckeyes don't look much like a reconstructed unit. Ohio State's defense has hung a couple of goose eggs on the scoreboard with recent shutout wins over Illinois and Toledo ... Read More

By: Bill Blanton (BuckeyeCountry.net) -- At the start of the 2009 season, all eyes were on Terrelle Pryor and how his freakish, athletic talent would be the gun Ohio State coach Jim Tressel would use to fire the bullets in a dynamic OSU offense. So far this season, the only thing that has been firing bullets is the Ohio State defense, and they’re shooting “Silver Bullets” everywhere. This “no name” group that is lacking the front line starter that we have seen in seasons past ... Read More

By: RUSTY MILLER (AP via DaytonDailyNews.com) -- COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jim Tressel has always wanted to see an Army-Navy game. "That's on my sports 'bucket list' to someday see that game," he said. "I've never been to it, but I've heard it's breathtaking." Seeing the Midshipmen shift gears on that lethal running attack against Army in a stadium full of dress uniforms is one thing. Tressel has no desire to see Navy put on a show on Saturday when they take on his sixth-ranked ... Read More

By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland Plain Dealer) -- COLUMBUS, Ohio -- For three years, Ohio State's Austin Spitler rode the bench behind one of his best friends on the team, James Laurinaitis, who just happened to be a three-time All-American. Now, when his chance came, he was switched from the middle linebacker spot he'd been waiting to fill to strongside linebacker, then felt a pop in his leg during the preseason. "It all started with my knee, and then it moved to the ... Read More

By: Tim Bielik (BleacherReport.com) -- Well it's been a long summer, but at last it's finally here. College football finally kicks off the 2009 season this week. It's been an offseason full of questions and unsolved mysteries for a team that has been to the BCS for the past four seasons. Ohio State welcomes the Navy Midshipmen to the Horseshoe on Saturday, a truly unorthodox opponent before the non-conference game of the year against the USC Trojans. After crushing losses, the Buckeyes have been the subject ... Read More

By: Craig Handel (News-Press.com) -- He's one of the no-names at Ohio State University looking to make a name. That chance will come soon enough. Brian Rolle is one of the up-and-comers with the Buckeyes. The junior from Immokalee High School is making a strong push to be a starting linebacker. With former stars A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and James Laurinaitis in the NFL, it'll be up to Rolle and others to continue the high standards in Columbus. "We speak of no brain, no name, no worries," ... Read More

By: Bill Blanton (Examiner.com) -- The Brutus Notes are small paragraphs that provide a range of news on a variety of subject matter from Ohio State programs, coaches, players and alumni. Canton native and Buckeye alumnus Dustin Fox was waived by the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday. For the Past two seasons, Fox has appeared in 11 games primarily as a special team player. The Canton Repository reported last Saturday that Fox believes if he isn’t on a roster this year, his NFL dream could ... Read More

By: Kevin McGuire (Examiner.com) -- As can be expected from here until the end of the year from many outlets, as the end of the decade creeps closer and closer many outlets will be announcing their all-decade teams. CBSSports.com has unveiled their all-decade college football team and for Penn State fans there is one area of interest that should be addressed. Of the three linebackers selected to the all-decade team, zero are in blue and white. Instead Oklahoma's Rocky Calmus and Ohio State's A.J. ... Read More

By: RUSTY MILLER (AP via Dayton Daily News) -- COLUMBUS, Ohio —Ohio State being the preseason pick to win the Big Ten for the fifth year in a row may not have much to do with anyone currently on the roster. "The reason why we're No. 1 is because of A.J. Hawk, Troy Smith, James Laurinaitis — guys who set that foundation and made sure Ohio State is as prominent as it is for the last few years," defensive lineman Doug Worthington said, referring ... Read More

By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland Plain Dealer) -- Breaking down the best 20 Ohio State players on the roster right now as the Buckeyes open practice today. No. 5: Junior linebacker Ross Homan I don't know which Ohio State linebackers are going to start where, and how the rest of them might rotate in, but I'm confident in the idea that Homan is the best linebacker on the roster. Even before Tyler Moeller's status for the season was called into question by his hospitalization for a ... Read More