By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland.com) -- On the list of 10 reasons that Ohio State reached the national title game last year, not facing Wisconsin running back P.J. Hill checks in there somewhere around No. 9. Playing a power running team without its power running back changed the complexion of the matchup. While Beanie Wells lugged the Buckeyes to victory over the Badgers last season, Hill was forced to sit out the game with a bruised leg. In his place, Zach Brown ran ... Read More

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP via WDTN.com) -- What's brewing today with the 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes ... BUCKEYES BUZZ:@ Ohio State was twice socked for having too many men on the field or for making an improper substitution in the victory over Minnesota. The Buckeyes frequently have far more than 11 players on the field at a time between plays, with some coming on to replace players and others hurrying off. The area between the huddle and the sideline looks like a bus station, with ... Read More

By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland.com) -- COLUMBUS -- Ohio State rushed for 279 yards last week against Minnesota, yet not a single member of the offensive line earned a winning performance grade when the coaches went back over the game. Talent in the backfield can cover up holes on the line, and as the Buckeyes prepare for Wisconsin on Saturday, they continue to move players in and out of those holes, with at least two contenders for every spot except left tackle. Last week, the ... Read More

From: Seattle Post-Intelligencer -- Madison, WI (Sports Network) - One of the best matchups of the college football weekend pits the 14th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes against the 18th- ranked Wisconsin Badgers in a Big Ten Conference showdown. Ohio State has won back-to-back games since getting embarrassed by USC on the road. The Buckeyes opened the Big Ten portion of their schedule last weekend with a 34-21 decision over Minnesota in Columbus. Considering that the team has yet to knock off a top-notch opponent, ... Read More

By: Brandon Castel (Rivals.com) -- It is easy for Ohio State fans to get caught up in the fact that freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor will team with tailback Beanie Wells in the Buckeyes backfield. As talented as those two are, however, they will only be as good as the offensive line in front of them. Particularly in a game as physical as the one they will play against Wisconsin this week, the line play will be crucial to OSU's success. Ohio State coach Jim ... Read More

By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland.com) -- Columbus -- None of the Ohio State players has played at Wisconsin before, and the way they tell it, Camp Randall Stadium is some sort of asy- lum. "I heard the atmosphere is crazy. I think the fans are crazy," defensive end Lawrence Wilson said. "We heard it's real crazy," cornerback Chimdi Chekwa said. "I talked to [former Buckeye] Brandon Mitchell when he was here, and he told me the crowd throws batteries and nickels in marshmallows," safety Anderson ... Read More

By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland.com) -- Jim Tressel wants better production from his passing game. But does he really need it? Through five games, the Buckeyes have thrown almost the same number of passes from a year ago, just nine fewer, and have completed almost the same number, just seven fewer, but look at the yardage. "I think a lot of it is based on how the game is going and what defenses are doing," receiver Brian Robiskie said. "I think last year we were ... Read More

By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland.com) -- He's third on his own team in rushing with 217 yards in two games and he's 680 yards behind Big Ten leader Javon Ringer of Michigan State. But despite missing three games, Ohio State running back Beanie Wells, one of the preseason favorites for the Heisman Trophy, still considers himself a candidate. "You never know what's going to happen," Wells said today. "There's a lot of great athletes out there, but I'd like to think the Heisman ... Read More