Rootstown was picked to finish dead last in its conference, but the Rovers are 5-0 and Northeast Ohio's most surprising team.

View full sizeRavenna Record CourierRootstown head football coach Randy McCoy can't hide his pride in his undefeated Rovers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Following every football game, often in front of fans, and after every practice, a head coach gathers his players for a brief talk. A lot can be learned about a team in those few minutes, and coaches know it.

Are players fidgeting, looking toward the locker room, the exit, their girlfriend, or parents? Are they whispering to each other? Are their heads down?

Rootstown coach Randy McCoy saw none of that three weeks ago, following a 9-0 win at Hanoverton United.

"You could hear a pin drop," McCoy said.

That moment confirmed what he had known in his heart since August, and what people outside Rootstown are just beginning to understand: The Rovers are for real.

Rootstown was picked to finish dead last in its conference after a $500 participation fee scared off numerous players this summer. The Rovers are 5-0, and are Northeast Ohio's most surprising team.

"I saw this coming," McCoy said quietly, without a hint of self-congratulation. "I knew I had a decent group of young men who have bought into what we're doing.

"After the United game, and the whole next week after practice, when you address the team, you stand there and see those 25 kids looking up at you and you see the focus in their eyes, and the understanding and attention they give you, well, that's not something I've seen here at Rootstown. Not like that. I knew then the kids bought into what we're preaching to them."

Everyone else is buying in now, too. Rootstown knocked off Woodridge, 41-14, last week. Woodridge was coming off a victory over traditional powerhouse Mogadore.

Rootstown, a Portage County town of about 5,000 with a suburban feel, is gearing up for Friday's homecoming game against defending Portage Trail Conference County Division champ Garrettsville Garfield. The Rovers have not had a winning season since 2005. They were 5-5 the last two years and returned a core of veteran linemen.

McCoy said about a dozen players didn't come out for football this summer because a $500 participation fee was set for the school year until a levy passed Aug. 2, eliminating the fee. By then, it was too late to attract new players, said McCoy. Indeed, some more quit. Just seven freshmen and sophomores are playing, and for the first time in at least a decade, there's no JV team. The starting quarterback, Sammy Todd, is a freshman. The school has about 200 boys.

"I've faced some of the stiffest adversity I've ever faced all summer long because of the numbers," said McCoy, in his 13th year at Rootstown and fourth as head coach.

McCoy, who retired as Ravenna's chief of police in 2009, is called "Chief" by many players, and the former Marine runs a tight ship. He spends about eight hours a day at the school, in season and out. He closely monitors their behavior and grades.

"We could have sulked and whined about [the numbers], but we didn't, and our kids stayed with it and believed we can still compete and be successful," McCoy said. "We're fighting for a league championship and the playoffs now."

Yes, they are. So pay attention.

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD

Peyton Hillis' scratch vs. the Dolphins enabled Montario Hardesty to show he can be a featured back.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer"An opportunity presented itself and I wanted to go out there and play well and play hard," Browns running back Montario Hardesty said after gaining 67 yards rushing and 19 receiving Sunday against Miami, "so it was fun."

BEREA, Ohio -- Peyton Hillis' absence from the Dolphins game with strep throat had a silver lining: Montario Hardesty got his first NFL start and rocked it.

Now the Browns believe they have two formidable backs.

"When I looked at the numbers here, I wanted to play [Hardesty] more, but not 61 snaps [against Miami]," said coach Pat Shurmur. "But that's the way it worked out. We got Armond (Smith) in there for a couple snaps but [Hardesty] just wanted to go and he was going pretty well. I think he did a terrific job."

A little more than two hours before kickoff, Shurmur had to alter his gameplan when Hillis said he wasn't up to playing. Hillis was still weak and ill when he woke up Sunday morning.

"He was getting better," said Shurmur. "He was at the team hotel Saturday night and he was in every meeting. We were hoping he'd get a good night sleep and then get better. It didn't happen. We were going through the same process [in the morning] of getting him ready to play and he felt like he couldn't go."

Eventually, Shurmur sent him home to rest.

"We visited," said Shurmur of his conversation with Hillis. "That's obviously between the player and the coach. He couldn't go."

Hillis' last-minute scratch left the Browns -- who had promoted receiver Carlton Mitchell to the active roster -- thin at running back.

"We were really short-handed at running back," said Shurmur. "We really had only three runners. We had Armond, Montario, and our fullback Owen [Marecic]."

What's more, Shurmur had to dump more than a few plays off his playsheet. "We had plays in the game to feature both Peyton and Montario," he said. "That obviously went onto other things when the roster changes."

But it was the moment Hardesty had been waiting for since he was drafted by the Browns in the second round out of Tennessee in 2010. The moment he had thought about every day while recovering from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in the final preseason game last year.

"An opportunity presented itself and I wanted to go out there and play well and play hard, so it was fun," said Hardesty. "I haven't played much football in a long time. To do it on this stage, plus to get a win like that, it was great for our team and we have to take that momentum and keep moving forward."

Hardesty finished with 67 yards on 14 carries for a 4.8-yard average and a long of 19. He caught three passes for 19 yards, including a 10-yard swing pass on fourth down on the game-winning touchdown drive -- one of the biggest plays of the afternoon.

"When we broke the huddle and I saw how their formation was set up, I was thinking the ball might go to me," said Hardesty. "I ran my route and was open. I turned my head and Colt got me the ball. It was a big play and a big moment in the game."

The play, to the Dolphins' 27, helped set up Colt McCoy's TD pass to Mohamed Massaquoi.

"Montario played great," said McCoy. "We thought Peyton was going early, and then when Peyton couldn't make it, that's hard on a guy. To have Montario step and play like he did -- he hadn't got all the reps this week -- it says a lot about him.

"I fed off him [Sunday]. He was fired up in the huddle saying, 'Give me the ball.' He made some real nice cuts in the hole. He was huge for us."

Hardesty made his presence felt early, with two runs and a reception on the six-play, second-quarter TD drive that ended with Josh Cribbs' leaping 33-yard TD catch.

Hardesty had runs of nine, three and 19 yards during a third-quarter drive that set up a field goal from Phil Dawson to tie the game at 10. On the 19-yard burst, he spun past linebacker Karlos Dansby for extra yards.

"Part of Montario's game, I think he's a very instinctive runner," said Shurmur. "If we can get him back to 100 percent -- which he's approaching -- I think we'll see that. That's what we saw in him in college and that's why he's here. He did some good things running the football yesterday. He made a couple subtle cuts that turned very short gains into good gains."

The other good news for the Browns was that Hillis was back for meetings on Monday and looking a whole lot less green than he did when he left the stadium Sunday morning.

"My understanding in talking to the trainers is that he feels better," said Shurmur.

If all goes as planned, the H and H backfield show will begin Sunday against the Titans.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

The Browns might consider some early no-huddle plays, says Pat Shurmur. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The catch-phrase for the Browns this week: Start fast.

The offense has yet to score a point in the first quarter. They've scored 35 in the second quarter. Against the Dolphins, Colt McCoy threw an interception on the opening drive and went three and out on his second.

They ran nine plays in the first quarter and possessed the ball for 3:54. McCoy completed two of seven attempts for 19 yards and earned a 0.0 rating. They had one first down compared to Miami's six.

"We've got to find a way to start fast," said Pat Shurmur. "We were just watching the tape on offense and we were running the same type of plays the second half that we were running in the first half and it was very clear that we were just executing them better in the second half coming out of the halftime.

"So that's the message, 'listen guys, relax and just execute. Take the gimmes, get yards on the runs that we're running the football, get into manageable third downs, let's move the football and find a way to stay on the field.' You have to start fast to get enough plays on offense. And then the defense doesn't have to play two-thirds of the game as well. That's at the front."

He added, "I think it's safe to say that it's just general execution, and you know that starts with me."

Shurmur stressed that the sluggish starts have been a group effort, but that it beings with McCoy, who was out of sync in the early going.

"It's something that we'll work through," said Shurmur. "You get what you emphasize, and [we'll] impress upon the guys that we need a little faster start."

Shurmur attributed some of the miscues to McCoy's inexperience. The quarterback completed less than 50 percent of his passes for the second time this season, and earned a 71.5 rating.

"I think it happens with young quarterbacks," he said. "We have to find a way to play consistently well starting with first down. I think that's the message."

Because McCoy performed so well in the final drive, Shurmur said he would consider using some no-huddle early in the game.

"There's advantages to it," he said. "I like no-huddle. The difference between the no-huddle and two-minute, although it may appear they're similar, it's different. But he executed very well. We have a component of our offense where we can get to no-huddle. We're trying to, as I mentioned earlier, call a play, get lined up and run it. That's the start."

Said tight end Alex Smith: "Coach made mention that when we script our first few plays in the game, they're plays that get you going. They're easy completions. Easy runs and plays that we know fairly well and are supposed to be good drive starters. We just didn't connect on them and it's obvious to see on tape that they're easy plays to complete."

Injury update: Phil Taylor was thought to have sprained his medial collateral ligament, but Shurmur said he's fine. ... Sheldon Brown and Chris Gocong strained groins and might be limited in practice this week. ... Joe Thomas suffered a sprained knee, but Shurmur said it's nothing serious, just something that might limit him in practice. ... He said Tony Pashos (ankle) will get reps earlier this week than last week. ... Titus Brown (ankle) and Eric Hagg (knee) will do more in practice. ... Mohamed Massaquoi (ankle) and Josh Cribbs (groin) came out of the game okay.

Celebration flag: Shurmur said he didn't think Massaquoi and Ben Watson celebrated excessively after Massaquoi's game-deciding touchdown. It appeared Massaquoi tumbled to the ground and Watson may have congratulated him while he was down.

"It's a flag. It's the rule," said Shurmur. "The rule states when you go to the ground and it looks like it's choreographed, then they throw the flag. That's what they felt was happening. You'd have to ask the players. I don't think it was, but that's what they saw. There's a rule, we know it. We have to follow the rules."

Nickel back paying dividends: Shurmur complimented Dimitri Patterson, who's done well in his role as the nickel back, and might be pressed into the starting lineup if Brown is out with his groin ailment. But Brown is known for playing injured, including last season when he battled through a torn rotator cuff.

"Dimitri's been a good addition to our secondary," said Shurmur. "He's a guy that can play outside or inside and he challenges. I've used this term before, he and Buster [Skrine] are both gritty guys. So they like it, they accept the challenge of getting up on the receiver.

"We do bump and run quite bit and that's fun for corners, I think they enjoy that. They enjoy the challenge of trying to defeat the receiver."

A vet's observations: With 10 years of NFL experience, offensive lineman Artis Hicks has been impressed with McCoy.

"He showed that he was a tough kid," said Hicks. "Because, honestly, we got him hit a couple times and each time he got up and shook it off like nothing happened. To have the poise to sit in the pocket and make the next big throw says a lot about a quarterback, because not too many guys like to get hit.

"It didn't deter him from sitting in the pocket and stepping down off that hill and delivering the ball. It says a lot about his toughness."

Weakened Titans: The Browns won't have to figure out how to stop Tennessee Titans receiver Kenny Britt on Sunday. Britt tore his ACL against the Broncos and is out for the season.

Britt was fifth in the NFL with 289 yards receiving.

A little too boisterous: A fan who ran onto the field Sunday after Massaquoi's touchdown catch was taken into custody, according to a Browns spokesman. No other details were available.

Staff writer Mary Schmitt Boyer contributed to this story.

Both teams are 2-1. Maybe they can both be in the AFC playoff chase?

Associated PressTitans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (left) has completed 78 of 112 passes (70 percent) for 932 yards and five touchdowns, with two interceptions, but running back Chris Johnson (28) is averaging just 2.1 yards a carry.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns host the Tennessee Titans at Browns Stadium on Sunday.

Both teams are 2-1. The season will still be in its early stages after Sunday's game is decided.

But, hey, Browns fans deserve a little fun, sticking with a team that prior to this season had lost 128 of 192 games since returning to the NFL as a franchise in 1999.

Given that, for the sake of fun, and acknowledging that such thinking is premature -- let's say it anyways! Maybe Browns vs. Titans could have playoff ramifications down the road, such as, maybe, in the wild card scramble, what with Cleveland in the AFC North and Tennessee in the AFC South.

Don't blame us for our enthusiasm. It doesn't hurt anything, right?

The Browns have won their last two games, 27-19 at Indianapolis on Sept. 18 and 17-16 over Miami at home last Sunday. Cleveland opened the season with a 27-17 home loss to Cincinnati.

Tennessee, too, has won two straight. The Titans opened with a 16-14 loss at Jacksonville, but bounced back with home wins over Baltimore, 26-13, and Denver, 17-14.

Tennessee, with veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck off to a strong start, is netting 300.7 passing yards per game, but just 51.7 rushing yards. The Titans' premier receiver, Kenny Britt, suffered a major knee injury against Denver and is out for the season. Tennessee's star running back, Chris Johnson, is averaging a paltry 2.1 yards on 46 carries, with a long run of nine yards.

The Titans' defense has allowed 172 passing yards and 89 rushing yards per game -- a very stingy total of 261 yards per game..

Quarterback Colt McCoy and the Browns offense are averaging 203 passing yards and 86.3 on the ground. Cleveland's defense has given up 187.3 passing yards and 128.7 running yards per game.

Hasselbeck has been sacked just four times this season, and McCoy just three. Defensively, the Titans have six quarterback sacks; the Browns, 11.

Cleveland’s Cashmere Jackson will be competing to begin her quest for a trip to the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Women’s boxing will be contested for the first time in London.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerCleveland's Cashmere Jackson will have to finish in the top three to qualify for next year’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

The Police Athletic League national boxing championships will be held at Toledo’s SeaGate Convention Center beginning Monday.

There will be four divisions for both male and female boxers, but the open women’s championship will hold special significance. That’s where Cleveland’s Cashmere Jackson will be competing to begin her quest for a trip to the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Women’s boxing will be contested for the first time in London, with the three weight divisions of flyweight (112 pounds), lightweight (132) and middleweight (165). Jackson, a two-time USA Boxing national champion at 141 pounds, is dropping down to qualify at 132.

She will have to finish in the top three to qualify for next year’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

“I’m going to win it,” said Jackson, who trains under Renard Safo at the MLK Premier Gym in East Cleveland. “I’ve got a statement to make.”

Jackson, 24, figures to get her first look at two-time champion Queen Underwood from Seattle. Walking around at 135, Jackson said the drop in weight is not a problem.

“I’ve still got a couple more days of hard training,” said Jackson. “I don’t want to lose it too quick. It will not be a factor.”

Eight boxers will make up each division at the Olympic Trials, with the date and site to be determined. Jackson already has qualified at 141 for the women’s world championships in China in May.

But she wants to see London after that.

World championships: The AIBA men’s world amateur championships are being held this week in Baku, Azerbaijan. Two Americans advanced through Monday’s opening round, with flyweight Eros Correa from San Jose, Calif., and heavyweight Joseph Williams from New York City each scoring decisions.

There are 570 boxers from 113 countries entered, with 92 Olympic berths to be determined. You can follow the results at aiba.org and usaboxing.org.

Pro show: First-time promoter Tim VanNewhouse has taken his time in putting together his initial professional outing. After calling off tentative shows in August and October, he is ready to go ahead with his debut at the renovated La Villa Banquet Center, 11500 Brookpark Road, in Cleveland on Nov. 12.

An Air Force veteran, VanNewhouse is planning to hook his affair into the Veterans Day weekend. He said he intends to donate some of the proceeds to veterans programs.

He is planning a news conference for Wednesday at the War Memorial Fountain in downtown Cleveland.

He plans to use Cleveland boxers Mark Davis Jr., Dante Moore, Antonio Nieves and John Barnett on the show, with junior lightweight Davis (15-0, 5 KOs) in the headliner against Guillermo Sanchez (13-3-1, 5 KOs) from Buffalo, N.Y. VanNewhouse said tickets are $50 and $25, with table seating also available. Go to volacioushype.com.

Amateur show: The West Side Boxing Club will stage its “Battle in the Ballroom IV” amateur card at the Slovenian National Ballroom, 6417 St. Clair Ave., in Cleveland on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.

Tickets begin at $15. Call Kincaid/Godhard Promotions at 440-223-7409.

This date in history: In the first of three legendary bouts, Tony Zale stopped Rocky Graziano in the sixth round to retain the middleweight title in New York in 1946.

No go: The Showtime Network was hoping to put the finishing touch to its “Super Six World Boxing Classic” tournament on Oct. 29. But the 168-pound finale has been called off because of a cut suffered by WBA champion Andre Ward (24-0, 13 KOs). He was supposed to take on WBC champion Carl Froch (28-1, 20 KOs) in Atlantic City, N.J., but the bout is now in limbo as to date and place.

The cancellation was a big blow to the cable network after lining up a month of hype in October for the showdown.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

It's still early, but is Peyton Hillis already suffering from the Madden curse?

The Plain DealerCleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis.

Peyton Hillis was honored when he was granted the cover of Madden NFL 12.

 But with that honor comes the so-called Madden curse. Many former cover boys on Madden have been cursed because of injury, or finished with subpar seasons.

On ESPN.com, here's just a few:

•2010, Troy Polamalu/Larry Fitzgerald: Polamalu only played five games due to knee injuries, Steelers missed playoffs; Fitzgerald wasn’t affected much (97 receptions, 1,092 yards, 13 TD, Pro Bowl).
•2009, Brett Favre: Feuded with Packers, traded to Jets, horrible down the stretch (lost 4 of last 5).
•2008, Vince Young: Missed 1 game with quad injury; led Titans to first playoff appearance in four years.
•2007, Shaun Alexander: Fractured foot, missed six games; fewer yards and TDs in '06 AND '07 than in '04 OR '05.
•2006, Donovan McNabb: Sports hernia in first game, missed seven games; feuded with Terrell Owens all year; had been to five straight Pro Bowls, hasn't been since.
•2005, Ray Lewis: Broke wrist, missed one game; first season without interception; missed 10 games next year with thigh injury.
 

In just two games, Hillis already has a fumble, he missed last Sunday's game with a strep throat, and he's averaging 3.4 yards per carry with two touchdowns.

Get your question ready, fire up your webcam, make sure you have Skype on your computer and then give us call today from 10-11 a.m. The question will appear on Thursday's "Browns Insider."

We'll be taking your Skype calls live from 10-11 a.m.  Tuesday. Add clevelanddotcom to your Skype contacts.

Got a Browns question for Tony Grossi Mary Kay Cabot or Dennis Manoloff? Want to be part of The Plain Dealer / cleveland.com Browns Insider show?

If you're answered 'yes' and 'yes,' then we want to hear from you!

Are you satisfied with the Browns' 2-1 start? Is the defense for real? What do the Browns need to do to beat the Titans?

Get your question ready, fire up your webcam, make sure you have Skype on your computer and then give us call today from 10-11 a.m.

We'll ask you for your name, your hometown and, in under 30 seconds, to pose your question to our panel of Browns experts.

The call will be recorded and played during Thursday's live show.

Once again, lines will be open from 10-11 a.m.

Here's what to do:

1. Log into your Skype account. Don't have one? Create one and download the software here.

2. Add Skype name "clevelanddotcom" to your contacts list and place a video call to us.

3. A cleveland.com producer will answer your call and record it. Selected videos will be played during Thursday's live show, when Grossi, Cabot and Manoloff will answer the questions.

4. Once again, we'll be taking calls from 10-11 a.m. today. If the line keeps ringing or your call is rejected, that means it's busy. Try again in a few minutes.

5. You can also email your videos to sports@cleveland.com or upload them to YouTube or cleveland.com and send us the link.

The Browns have won two out of their first three games, but coach Pat Shurmur still sees areas that need to improve.

APPat Shurmur

Lets have a parade.

The Browns are 2-1 for the first time since 2002, writes News-Herald reporter Jeff Schudel. It was so long ago that Colt McCoy was in junior high school.

Coach Pat Shurmur is pleased with the record, but he has a checklist detailing what the Browns must do to get better.

The list is a long one. After beating the Colts, 27-19, Shurmur said "a boatload" of corrections had to be made. He amended that after beating the Dolphins, 17-16, Sunday to say there is "a freighter" load to correct.

"From everything offensively to running the football, to protecting the quarterback, to the quarterback making the right decisions and throwing accurately, to guys getting open and making plays when they're covered — all those things is what I'm referring to," Shurmur said at his Monday news conference. "On defense, making sure we continue to challenge, tackling in the open field, being gap secure when they run the football … We work on them constantly. We need to keep doing it."

Many national writers on their way through Berea during their training camp tours predicted doom and gloom for the Browns, writes Schudel.

More Browns

The Browns hope they can build from their comeback victory over the Dolphins.

The offense played well at the end, but the Browns defense was solid for four quarters last Sunday.

Victory over the Dolphins show the Browns can overcome struggles.

Unfortunately, the Browns will face the No. 1 defense in the league on Sunday.

A look back at Sunday's victory over the Dolphins.

Grady Sizemore didn't make the trip while he prepares for next season.

The Plain DealerGrady Sizemore

The Cleveland Indians are playing their final series of the season (against the Detroit Tigers) but the season has ended for Grady Sizemore.

He didn't travel with the Indians to Detroit. Sizemore will begin his offseason season training in preparation for next season.

MLB.com reporter Jordan Bastian writes how Indians manager Manny Acta declined to go into specifics about Sizemore's status, choosing instead to defer to head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff, who will meet with the media on today.

Acta would only say that it simply did not make much sense to play Sizemore under the current circumstances.

"Lonnie is probably going to address you guys tomorrow," Acta said prior to Monday's game. "The only thing I can say is it's counterproductive for us to play him, because it doesn't look like we're going to make the playoffs with three games to go and trailing by 12.

"It's not worth it. Anything else, Lonnie's going to address it with you guys."

This winter, the Indians have the ability to exercise or decline a club option worth $8.5 million that is included in Sizemore's contract for the 2012 season, writes Bastian.

Around the horn

Who is the best hitting in the AL? Manager Manny Acta says that player is on his team.

Miguel Cabrera is on the brink of winning the batting title.

The Detroit Tigers smash the Tribe, writes Cleveland.com's Paul Hoynes.

The Big East doesn't support Toledo's cry for justice.

Elton Alexander of The Plain Dealer writes about Syracuse's tainted 33-30 victory over Toledo.

Last Saturday, Syracuse's kicker pulled the extra-point attempt left. The officials on the field ruled the kick good. The replay officials ruled the kick good, although it was plain that the ball didn't go through the uprights.

Instead of leading by two, Syracuse led by three with about two minutes left. Toledo would kick a field goal in the final seconds. Instead of winning by one, the kick tied the score and the Rockets would go on to lose in overtime.

Toledo's coach and athletic director wants the score reversed. But so far, the score remains.

Plain Dealer reporter says it's time team, fans leave behind the culture of losing. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright.

The Browns' Peyton Hillis missed Sunday's home win over the Miami Dolphins with a case of strep throat. That brings us to today's Starting Blocks poll: Is Hillis going to be hurt by the Madden Curse - the belief that athletes who grace the cover of the Madden football video game have a sub-par season right afterward.

Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff, who says he puts no stock in the Madden Curse. Dman also says he thinks fans should be asking, "Why can't the Browns beat the Titans?"; and that it's time for the Browns and their fans to leave behind the culture of losing.

Dman also says the new NFL kickoff rule enacted this season needs to be rescinded, because it has "neutered" an important part of the game.

SBTV will return Wednesday with Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises talking Buckeyes.

The Ohio State Buckeyes begin the Big Ten season with Michigan State.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerFullback Zach Boren (44).

The Big Ten season starts for the Buckeyes on Saturday when they host Michigan State. Tim May of The Columbus Dispatch writes how just two weeks ago, the Buckeyes were down after a loss to Miami but things are looking bright again with a victory over Colorado.

But for a team out of national championship contention and sitting outside the top 25 for a second straight week, the Big Ten opener on Saturday against Michigan State presents the opportunity for renewal.

“We’re ready … and we’re excited,” fullback Zach Boren said. “It’s Big Ten season.”

“The stakes are a lot higher now,” center Michael Brewster said.

Ohio State has turned to freshman Braxton Miller, May writes. His play as much as anything will define the Buckeyes’ chances, even though Boren said that the offense remains a work in progress.

Around the Horse Shoe

Matt Markey of The Toledo Blade writes about the start of the Big Ten games.

Michigan State hopes to answer three questions as it prepares for the Buckeyes.

The Detroit Free Press has this article on the Michigan State defense.

How big was it for the Browns to pull out the win on Sunday? Can the Indians fix Ubaldo Jimenez? Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

View full sizeRobert Duyos | Sun Sentinel | MCTColt McCoy struggled passing for much of the game Sunday, but drove the team for a touchdown whne it mattered most.

How big was it for the Browns to pull out the win on Sunday? Can the Indians fix Ubaldo Jimenez?

Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• Will we start to see more of Montario Hardesty now?

• Are you surprised at how good the defensive line has played?

• Is Joe Haden on his way to becoming an elite cornerback?

• How much impact will player progression have on improving the Indians' offense next season?

• What can we expect to get out of Asdrubal Cabrera next season?

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.

Be sure to also like Terry Pluto on Facebook.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - St. Edward took over the top spot in the Division I, Region 1 football computer rankings, which were released this afternoon by the Ohio High School Athletic Association. The computer poll is used to determine which teams qualify for the playoffs. In the initial poll last week, Cleveland Heights (5-0) was first. The Tigers are now...

St. Edward celebrates its 17-14 overtime victory over Glenville in the season opener on Aug. 27. The Eagles have risen to the top spot in the Division I, Region 1 computer poll. - (Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - St. Edward took over the top spot in the Division I, Region 1 football computer rankings, which were released this afternoon by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

The computer poll is used to determine which teams qualify for the playoffs. In the initial poll last week, Cleveland Heights (5-0) was first. The Tigers are now third, behind the Eagles (5-0) and Mentor (5-0).

Glenville (2-2) dropped one spot to 20th and faces a must win Saturday against St. Ignatius (4-1) to keep its playoff hopes alive. St. Ignatius, Glenville's final nonleague opponent, is fifth in the computer poll.

The computer ratings are released every Tuesday leading up to the final report on Oct. 31. The top eight teams in each region qualify for the regional quarterfinals, which begin Nov. 4.

Ratings are listed by division and region with record and average points. Listed below are the top 12 teams in each region. The complete report showing all teams in every region is posted at OHSAA.org.

Division I

Region 1 - 1. Lakewood St. Edward (5-0) 11.7278, 2. Mentor (5-0) 10.9, 3.Cleveland Heights (5-0) 10.2444, 4. Solon (5-0) 10.2, 5. Cle. St. Ignatius(4-1) 10, 6. Eastlake North (5-0) 9.3, 7. Cle. John F. Kennedy (5-0) 8.1263,8. Willoughby South (3-2) 7.95, 9. Austintown-Fitch (3-2) 5.9804, 10.Lakewood (3-2) 5.9, 11. Mayfield (2-3) 5.3, 12. Brecksville-Broadview Hts.(2-3) 5.1.

Region 2 - 1. Canton GlenOak (5-0) 12, 2. Findlay (5-0) 10.75, 3. Brunswick(5-0) 10.4, 4. Tol. Whitmer (5-0) 10.2263, 5. Canton McKinley (4-1) 9.85, 6.Massillon Jackson (3-2) 9.7, 7. Wadsworth (5-0) 9.4, 8. North Ridgeville(4-1) 8.7, 9. Tol. St. John's (4-1) 8.695, 10. Sylvania Southview (4-1)8.05, 11. Hudson (4-1) 7.95, 12. Green (4-1) 7.7.

Region 3 - 1. Dublin Coffman (5-0) 10.5, 2. Westerville Central (4-1) 9.6,3. Troy (4-1) 9.35, 4. Hilliard Davidson (4-0) 9.3194, 5. Upper Arlington(4-1) 8.75, 6. Marysville (4-1) 8.5, 7. Westerville South (3-2) 7.65, 8.Gahanna Lincoln (4-1) 7.5, 9. Pickerington North (4-1) 7.2283, 10. HilliardBradley (4-1) 7.15, 11. Hilliard Darby (5-0) 7, 12. Pickerington Central(2-2) 6.7222.

Region 4 - 1. Cin. Archbishop Moeller (5-0) 13.2222, 2. Cin. LaSalle (5-0)12.95, 3. Cin. Princeton (5-0) 11.5, 4. Cin. Colerain (4-1) 11.2657, 5. Cin.Sycamore (5-0) 10.5, 6. Middletown (4-1) 10.45, 7. Cin. Walnut Hills (5-0)9.1, 8. Cin. St. Xavier (3-2) 7.7919, 9. Cin. Withrow (3-2) 6.6343, 10.Liberty Twp. Lakota East (3-2) 6.3, tie-11. Lebanon (3-2) 6.25, tie-11. Cin.Oak Hills (3-2) 6.25.

Division II

Region 5 - 1. Chesterland West Geauga (5-0) 10.3, 2. Canfield (4-1) 10.05,3. Warren Howland (5-0) 8.9869, 4. Kent Roosevelt (4-1) 8.8, 5. CuyahogaFalls Walsh Jesuit (3-1) 8.5417, tie-6. Aurora (4-1) 8, tie-6. Copley (4-1)8, 8. Madison (4-1) 6.95, 9. New Philadelphia (3-2) 6.5323, 10. AkronKenmore (3-2) 6.45, 11. Alliance (4-1) 6.4, 12. Akron Ellet (3-2) 5.45.

Region 6 - 1. Avon (5-0) 12.8, 2. Tiffin Columbian (5-0) 9.65, 3. Perrysburg(4-1) 8.85, 4. Maple Hts. (5-0) 8.8333, 5. Tol. Central Cath. (3-2) 8.65, 6.Fremont Ross (4-1) 8.45, 7. Medina Highland (3-2) 7.35, 8. Grafton Midview(4-1) 7.3, 9. Berea (3-2) 6.7, tie-10. Olmsted Falls (3-2) 6.55, tie-10.Bowling Green (4-1) 6.55, 12. Bedford (3-2) 6.5.

Region 7 - 1. Cols. Marion-Franklin (5-0) 11.8, 2. New Albany (4-1) 9.75, 3.Sunbury Big Walnut (4-1) 8.6, 4. New Carlisle Tecumseh (4-1) 8.55, 5.Dresden Tri-Valley (4-1) 8.45, 6. Cols. Mifflin (5-0) 7.65, 7. Zanesville(4-1) 7.45, 8. Cols. Beechcroft (4-1) 6.3707, 9. Vincent Warren (3-2) 5.95,10. Cols. West (4-1) 5.5, 11. Canal Winchester (3-2) 5.1677, 12. Cols.Brookhaven (3-2) 4.85.

Region 8 - 1. Trotwood-Madison (5-0) 12.65, 2. Kings Mills Kings (5-0) 12.6,3. Vandalia Butler (5-0) 10.8, 4. Wapakoneta (5-0) 10, 5. Tipp CityTippecanoe (5-0) 9.6, 6. Hamilton Ross (4-1) 8.75, 7. Franklin (4-1) 8, 8.Cin. Mount Healthy (4-1) 7.05, 9. Wilmington (5-0) 6.8, 10. Cin. Turpin(3-2) 5.85, 11. Piqua (3-2) 5.7, 12. Day. Belmont (4-1) 5.5192.

Division III

Region 9 - 1. Chagrin Falls (5-0) 11.2, 2. Cle. Benedictine (5-0) 11.1, 3.Ravenna (4-1) 9.1, 4. Mentor Lake Cath. (4-1) 8.9495, 5. Akron St.Vincent-St Mary (5-0) 8.8225, 6. Hunting Valley University School (4-1) 8.8,7. Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (4-1) 7.1, 8. Ravenna Southeast (5-0)6.7, 9. Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Valley Christian Acad. (3-2) 6.6, 10. PepperPike Orange (3-2) 6.55, 11. Oberlin Firelands (5-0) 6.05, 12. PeninsulaWoodridge (3-2) 5.85.

Region 10 - 1. Elida (4-1) 8.85, 2. Cols. Eastmoor Acad. (4-1) 8.4909, 3.Clyde (3-2) 6.9, 4. Caledonia River Valley (4-1) 6.45, 5. Bexley (4-1) 6.35,6. Bryan (5-0) 6.3, 7. Cols. St. Francis DeSales (2-3) 5.75, tie-8. Cols.Independence (2-3) 5.3, tie-8. Bellevue (3-2) 5.3, 10. Port Clinton (3-2)5.2, 11. Cols. Bishop Watterson (2-3) 4.9778, 12. Urbana (3-2) 4.55.

Region 11 - 1. Steubenville (5-0) 8.7417, 2. Thornville Sheridan (5-0) 8.4,3. Minerva (5-0) 8.35, 4. Canal Fulton Northwest (4-1) 8.15, 5. AllianceMarlington (4-1) 8.05, 6. Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (3-2) 8.0485, 7.Granville (4-1) 7.5, tie-8. Millersburg West Holmes (4-1) 7.3, tie-8. Dover(4-1) 7.3, 10. Poland Seminary (3-2) 7.1, 11. Uhrichsville Claymont (4-1)6.6, 12. Cambridge (4-1) 6.4.

Region 12 - 1. Circleville Logan Elm (5-0) 11.05, 2. Plain City JonathanAlder (5-0) 10.65, 3. Kettering Archbishop Alter (5-0) 9.8, 4. SpringfieldShawnee (5-0) 9.05, 5. The Plains Athens (5-0) 8.9404, 6. Cin. Indian Hill(4-1) 8.8515, 7. Jackson (5-0) 8.75, 8. Day. Thurgood Marshall (4-1) 8.3708,9. Springfield Kenton Ridge (5-0) 7.65, 10. Cin. Taft (3-1) 7.4583, 11.Gallipolis Gallia Acad. (3-2) 6.3, 12. Day. Dunbar (3-2) 5.8.

Division IV

Region 13 - 1. Girard (5-0) 9.6, 2. Creston Norwayne (5-0) 8.6, 3. CantonCentral Cath. (4-1) 8, 4. Sullivan Black River (5-0) 7.95, 5. Brookfield(5-0) 7.4122, 6. Leavittsburg LaBrae (4-1) 7.25, 7. Akron Manchester (3-2)6.35, 8. Orrville (3-2) 6.1, 9. Beachwood (4-1) 5.55, 10. Cle. Central Cath.(3-2) 5.1737, 11. Streetsboro (3-2) 5.15, 12. Andover Pymatuning Valley(4-1) 5.05.

Region 14 - 1. Kenton (5-0) 10.5, 2. Pemberville Eastwood (5-0) 10, 3. GenoaArea (5-0) 9.65, 4. Cols. Bishop Hartley (5-0) 9.05, 5. Huron (4-1) 7.2, 6.Bellville Clear Fork (3-2) 6.65, 7. Oak Harbor (3-2) 6.4, 8. Ottawa-Glandorf(4-1) 6.3, 9. Richwood North Union (4-1) 5.95, 10. Ontario (5-0) 5.85, 11.Wellington (3-2) 5.2, 12. Cols. Bishop Ready (3-2) 5.0232.

Region 15 - 1. Coshocton (5-0) 10.4, 2. Johnstown-Monroe (5-0) 9.15, 3. St.Clairsville (5-0) 9.05, 4. Ironton (4-1) 8.4, 5. Amanda-Clearcreek (4-1)8.15, 6. Pomeroy Meigs (4-1) 5.9758, 7. Chesapeake (3-2) 5.6313, 8. MartinsFerry (4-1) 5.6, 9. Richmond Edison (3-2) 4.9202, 10. McDermott Northwest(3-2) 4.9, 11. Wellston (3-2) 4.35, 12. Gnadenhutten Indian Valley (2-3)3.85.

Region 16 - 1. Waynesville (5-0) 10.65, 2. Cin. Madeira (5-0) 8.95, 3. WestMilton Milton-Union (4-1) 7.7, 4. Middletown Bishop Fenwick (5-0) 7.1, 5.Brookville (4-1) 6.55, 6. Day. Chaminade-Julienne (3-2) 5.4758, 7. Cin.Hills Christian Acad. (3-2) 5.1788, 8. Blanchester (4-1) 5.05, 9.Clarksville Clinton-Massie (3-2) 4.8677, 10. Hamilton Badin (3-2) 4.7152,11. St. Bernard Roger Bacon (2-3) 4.3, 12. Williamsport Westfall (3-2) 4.15.

Division V

Region 17 - 1. Kirtland (5-0) 10.45, 2. Columbiana (5-0) 7.35, 3. Rootstown(5-0) 7.15, 4. Salineville Southern (5-0) 7, 5. Woodsfield Monroe Central(4-1) 6.75, 6. Barnesville (5-0) 6.4707, 7. Columbiana Crestview (4-1) 6.2,8. New Middletown Springfield (4-1) 5.85, 9. Sugarcreek Garaway (4-1) 4.6,10. Cuyahoga Hts. (4-1) 4.3, 11. Campbell Memorial (3-2) 3.95, 12. BeverlyFort Frye (3-2) 3.9.

Region 18 - 1. Bascom Hopewell-Loudon (5-0) 9.05, 2. Liberty Center (5-0)8.2, 3. Lima Central Cath. (5-0) 8.15, 4. Findlay Liberty-Benton (5-0) 7.2,5. Carey (4-1) 6.4303, 6. Northwood (4-1) 5.6, tie-7. Bluffton (3-2) 5.55,tie-7. Archbold (4-1) 5.55, 9. Spencerville (4-1) 5.45, 10. Attica SenecaEast (4-1) 4.7192, tie-11. Columbus Grove (3-2) 4.05, tie-11. Hicksville(3-2) 4.05.

Region 19 - 1. Bucyrus Wynford (5-0) 9.25, 2. West Lafayette Ridgewood (5-0)9.2, 3. Grandview Hts. (5-0) 7.7, 4. Nelsonville-York (5-0) 7.4323, 5.Portsmouth West (5-0) 7.4, 6. Smithville (4-1) 6.7, 7. Lucasville Valley(5-0) 6.6748, 8. Ashland Crestview (5-0) 6.5, 9. Gahanna Cols. Acad. (4-1)6.4, 10. Centerburg (4-1) 6.35, 11. Albany Alexander (5-0) 5.25, 12.Baltimore Liberty Union (4-1) 5.1.

Region 20 - 1. Frankfort Adena (5-0) 8.6, 2. West Liberty-Salem (5-0) 7.85,3. Marion Pleasant (5-0) 7.6, 4. Coldwater (4-1) 7.15, 5. Miamisburg Day.Christian (5-0) 6.6, 6. Covington (5-0) 6.25, 7. Casstown Miami East (4-1)6, tie-8. West Jefferson (4-1) 5.9, tie -9. Versailles (4-1) 5.9, 10.Mechanicsburg (3-2) 4.45, 11. North Lewisburg Triad (3-2) 4.2, 12. RockfordParkway (2-3) 3.65.

Division VI

Region 21 - 1. Berlin Center Western Reserve (5-0) 6.35, 2. ThompsonLedgemont (5-0) 6.25, 3. Youngstown Christian (4-1) 5.5, 4. Malvern (4-1)5.35, tie-5. Cle. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (3-2) 4.8, tie-5.Strasburg-Franklin (3-2) 4.8, tie-7. Warren John F. Kennedy (3-2) 4.7,tie-7. Mogadore (3-2) 4.7, 9. Shadyside (3-2) 4.5232, 10. Fairport HarborFairport Harding (3-2) 3.75, 11. Toronto (3-2) 3.5647, 12. Wellsville (2-3)3.15.

Region 22 - 1. Tiffin Calvert (4-1) 6.9, 2. Arcadia (5-0) 6.55, 3. Edgerton(4-1) 5.8, tie-4. Leipsic (4-1) 5.05, tie-4. Tol. Ottawa Hills (4-1) 5.05,6. Convoy Crestview (3-2) 4.7, 7. Sandusky St. Mary Central Cath. (3-2)4.45, 8. Delphos St. John's (3-2) 4.4, 9. Norwalk St. Paul (3-2) 3.7, 10.Lakeside Danbury (3-2) 3.5714, 11. McComb (3-2) 3.25, 12. West Unity Hilltop(3-2) 2.8.

Region 23 - 1. Portsmouth Sciotoville (4-1) 5.9, tie-2. Beallsville (4-1)5.25, tie-2. Canal Winchester Harvest Prep. (4-1) 5.25, 4. Crown City SouthGallia (4-1) 5.1737, 5. Willow Wood Symmes Valley (4-1) 5.15, 6. PortsmouthNotre Dame (4-1) 5.0212, 7. New Washington Buckeye Central (4-1) 4.85, 8.Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans (3-2) 4.698, 9. Danville (3-2) 4.4, 10.Lancaster Fairfield Christian Acad. (4-1) 4.2, 11. North Robinson ColonelCrawford (3-2) 4.05, 12. Hannibal River (2-3) 3.5202.

Region 24 - 1. Lockland (5-0) 6.35, 2. Ada (4-1) 6.25, 3. Cin. Country Day(4-1) 6.0263, 4. Maria Stein Marion Local (4-1) 5.2557, 5. Fort Loramie(4-1) 5.1, 6. Ansonia (4-1) 4.85, 7. Minster (3-2) 4.25, 8. SpringfieldCath. Central (3-2) 4.2, 9. S. Charleston Southeastern Local (3-2) 4.1, 10.Lewisburg Tri-County North (3-2) 3.8, 11. Waynesfield Waynesfield-Goshen(3-2) 3.3, 12. Fort Recovery (3-2) 3.2.

 LAKEWOOD, O. - Eagles move up: Defending Division I state champion St. Edward has moved up in four national football polls. The Eagles improved from No. 13 to 9th in Rivals, from 12th to ninth in MaxPreps, from No. 9 to 6 in USA Today and from eighth to sixth in ESPN.    Solon and Mentor are the only other...

 LAKEWOOD, O. - Eagles move up: Defending Division I state champion St. Edward has moved up in four national football polls. The Eagles improved from No. 13 to 9th in Rivals, from 12th to ninth in MaxPreps, from No. 9 to 6 in USA Today and from eighth to sixth in ESPN.
 

 Solon and Mentor are the only other local teams to be ranked, both in Rivals. The Comets went from 42nd to 43rd and Mentor improved from 57th to 50th.
 

  Cincinnati Moeller jumped from 13th to ninth in Rivals and is 20th in MaxPreps and 40th in ESPN for the first time. Neighborhood rival St. Xavier dropped form 29th to 42nd in Rivals and from 28th to 42nd in ESPN.

Rookies Tristan Thompson and Kyring Irving are scheduled to play in Miami next week.

Lisa DeJong/The Plain DealerCleveland Cavaliers' rookie player Kyrie Irving.

The Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will play together and host  "The South Florida All-Star Classic," writes Chris Broussard of ESPN.

The game will be held on Oct. 8 at Florida International University, where Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas is coach. All proceeds will go toward a charity supporting the educational community of South Florida.

Broussard writes that a number of NBA players are slated to join the Miami trio on the court. There's a also the possibility that Cleveland Cavaliers first-round picks Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson will also play.

Irving and Thompson are waiting to see if a spot opens up, a source told ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst. Other rookies, the source said, were interested but there's no room in the game for other first-year players. There's no interest in 15-player rosters because players want to be able to play in the game and not sit on the bench.

"Hillis and Hardesty in at the same time would give any D a run for their money alongside of opening up plenty more options for McCoy to work with." - SonicShockwave

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerMontario Hardesty made a strong impression on Browns fans with his performance on Sunday.

In response to the story Montario Hardesty's debut as a regular earns praise from Pat Shurmur, Cleveland Browns, cleveland.com reader SonicShockwave would love to see Hillis and Hardesty play together. This reader writes,

"Hillis and Hardesty in at the same time would give any D a run for their money alongside of opening up plenty more options for McCoy to work with."

"You have to hope you can straighten Jimenez out in spring training or we come out on the short end of another trade. The reality is the Tribe will never win with this owner and management team, so why get to upset? Manny will be at .500 for the season, which is an accomplishment with all the injuries we had, but to bump that another 15 wins isn't going to happen without spending some money." - Moosie

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerFans will look to the Dolans this offseason to step up and spend.

In response to the story AL Central-champion Tigers pound Ubaldo Jimenez, Cleveland Indians, 14-0, cleveland.com reader Moosie thinks the only way the Indians can make a run next year is to spend. This reader writes,

"You have to hope you can straighten Jimenez out in spring training or we come out on the short end of another trade. The reality is the Tribe will never win with this owner and management team, so why get to upset? Manny will be at .500 for the season, which is an accomplishment with all the injuries we had, but to bump that another 15 wins isn't going to happen without spending some money."

Here's a list of where NBA players are going during the lockout.

APKobe Bryant is keeping his options open.

The NBA continues to talk with the players about making a deal and ending this lockout. But while the negotiations continue, many players have or are planning to make moves to play overseas.

ESPN.com put together a list of which players have signed with a team overseas, which players are interested, and which players will remain.

Big Ten opener features teams that both have three home wins as big favorites, and one loss on the road.

Associated PressKirk Cousins (photo), one of the Big Ten's elite quarterbacks, and Michigan State will visit Ohio State on Saturday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio State's Buckeyes (3-1) play Michigan State's Spartans (3-1) in a Big Ten opener on Saturday afternoon at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.

The teams' seasons have thus far followed similar trajectories. Both squads lost their third games -- both by 18 points and on the road -- on Sept. 17. Ohio State lost at Miami (Fla.), 24-6, and Michigan State at Notre Dame, 31-13.

The Buckeyes' wins have been over Akron (42-0), Toledo (27-22) and, last Saturday, over Colorado (37-17). The Spartans have defeated Youngstown State (28-6), Florida Atlantic (44-0) and, last Saturday, Central Michigan (45-7).

A major difference between the teams is the experience level and styles of the starting quarterbacks.

Michigan State senior Kirk Cousins, a third-year starter, has an NFL-caliber arm and some analysts feel he is a candidate to be picked in the first two or three rounds of the 2012 draft.

Ohio State's Braxton Miller is a true freshman who already has displayed a capability to make big plays running with the football. He made his first start last week against Colorado, and it's much too early to try to define his potential as a passer.

Ohio State has rushed for 184 yards per game and passed for 156.8 yards per game. The Buckeyes' defense has allowed 99.3 rushing yards and 177 passing yards per game.

Michigan State's offense is averaging 274 passing yards and 143.3 rushing yards a game. The Spartans' defense is yielding averages of 101 passing yards and 71.3 rushing yards.

Ohio State and Michigan State have not played since Oct. 18, 2008, when the Buckeyes won at East Lansing, 45-7.