COLUMBUS, Ohio - St. Edward's football team moved closer to hosting a first round playoff game in the second-to-last set of weekly football computer ratings, which are used to determine which teams qualify for the postseason. The Eagles, the defending Division I state champs, moved from sixth to fourth this week following Saturday's win over Cincinnatti Moeller. The top eight teams...

St. Edward is in line to host a first round playoff game. Here, running back Dwayne Aaron scores a touchdown in an overtime win over Glenville on Aug. 27. - (Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - St. Edward's football team moved closer to hosting a first round playoff game in the second-to-last set of weekly football computer ratings, which are used to determine which teams qualify for the postseason.

The Eagles, the defending Division I state champs, moved from sixth to fourth this week following Saturday's win over Cincinnatti Moeller. The top eight teams in each region qualify for the playoffs, with the top four hosting first-round games.

The computer ratings were released Tuesday afternoon by the Ohio High School Athletic Association. The final ratings will be released Sunday afternoon. The playoffs 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 is available by the OHSAA.

OHSAA Football Computer Ratings

Division I

Region 1 - 1. Mentor (9-0) 29.0278, 2. Solon (8-1) 23.7111, 3. St. Ignatius (7-2) 23.4175, 4. St. Edward (7-2) 22.7029, 5. Cleveland Heights (8-0) 21.3118, 6. Willoughby South (7-2) 20.6333, 7. John F. Kennedy (8-1) 17.2313, 8. Boardman (6-3) 16.0051, 9. Eastlake North (7-2)13.9, 10. Brecksville-Broadview Hts. (5-4) 12.9278, 11. Mayfield (5-4)12.6333, 12. Austintown Fitch (6-3) 11.5613

Region 2 - 1. Canton GlenOak (8-1) 26.7222, 2. Sylvania Southview (8-1)25.1389, 3. Tol. Whitmer (9-0) 24.6989, 4. Hudson (8-1) 24.1222, 5.Wadsworth (8-1) 22.35, 6. Findlay (8-1) 21.5556, 7. Canton McKinley (7-2)21.4293, 8. Avon Lake (7-2) 20.05, 9. Massillon Jackson (6-3) 19.5889, 10.Whitehouse Anthony Wayne (7-2) 19.3167, 11. Massillon Washington (7-2)18.1793, 12. North Ridgeville (8-1) 17.2111

Region 3 - 1. Hilliard Davidson (8-0) 24.4306, 2. Troy (7-2) 23.6889, 3.Dublin Coffman (8-1) 21.1869, 4. Westerville Central (7-2) 20.6056, 5.Pickerington Central (6-2) 20.1111, 6. Gahanna Lincoln (7-2) 20.0147, 7.Lewis Center Olentangy Orange (7-2) 18.6444, 8. Upper Arlington (7-2)18.197, 9. Pickerington North (7-2) 16.3636, 10. Westerville South (6-3)16.3, 11. Lewis Center Olentangy (4-5) 13.2167, 12. Reynoldsburg (6-3)12.7944

Region 4 - 1. Middletown (8-1) 28.2278, 2. Cin. St. Xavier (7-2) 27.2177, 3.Cin. Colerain (8-1) 25.6859, 4. Cin. Archbishop Moeller (7-2) 23.8081, 5.Cin. Sycamore (8-1) 21.9333, 6. Cin. Walnut Hills (7-2) 19.1667, 7. Cin.Princeton (7-2) 17.6111, 8. Cin. LaSalle (6-3) 17.5657, 9. Mason (6-3) 17.4,10. Lebanon (6-3) 16.8833, 11. Centerville (6-3) 15.1689, 12. Loveland (4-5)14.55

Division II

Region 5 - 1. Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit (7-1) 21.0794, 2. Madison (7-2)18.9167, 3. Tallmadge (7-2) 18.6889, 4. New Philadelphia (7-2) 18.6061, 5.Warren Howland (9-0) 18.596, 6. Aurora (8-1) 18.2611, 7. Canfield (6-3)17.0, 8. Kent Roosevelt (8-1) 16.1222, 9. Chagrin Falls Kenston (6-3)14.7944, 10. Chesterland West Geauga (6-3) 14.7611, 11. Copley (5-4) 14.75,12. Louisville (5-4) 12.9444

Region 6 - 1. Avon (9-0) 27.3778, 2. Maple Hts. (8-0) 22.3666, 3. Tol.Central Cath. (7-2) 20.6389, 4. Sandusky (8-1) 19.2778, 5. Medina Highland(6-3) 17.2278, 6. Perrysburg (6-3) 16.1278, 7. Olmsted Falls (6-3) 15.8889,8. Fremont Ross (5-4) 14.8611, 9. East Cle. Shaw (5-3) 14.2216, 10. TiffinColumbian (7-2) 13.9, 11. Maumee (6-3) 13.2111, 12. Grafton Midview (7-2)12.1

Region 7 - 1. Cols. Marion-Franklin (9-0) 26.7222, 2. New Albany (7-2)22.0051, 3. Dresden Tri-Valley (8-1) 21.1389, 4. Sunbury Big Walnut (7-2)20.4, 5. Cols. Beechcroft (8-1) 18.9141, 6. New Carlisle Tecumseh (6-3)14.5, 7. Ashland (5-4) 14.1833, 8. Cols. Mifflin (8-1) 12.6333, 9. AshvilleTeays Valley (4-5) 11.6111, 10. Canal Winchester (6-3) 11.4899, 11.Bellbrook (5-4) 11.2333, 12. Wooster (4-5) 10.2778

Region 8 - 1. Trotwood-Madison (9-0) 27.7667, 2. Kings Mills Kings (9-0)27.2278, 3. Tipp City Tippecanoe (9-0) 22.0111, 4. Franklin (8-1) 21.6167,5. Wapakoneta (9-0) 20.0889, 6. Cin. Turpin (7-2) 17.9278, 7. VandaliaButler (6-3) 15.3222, 8. Cin. Mount Healthy (7-2) 14.6556, 9. Hamilton Ross(7-2) 14.1056, 10. Cin. Northwest (6-3) 14.0944, 11. Harrison (6-3) 13.3333,12. Cin. Anderson (4-5) 12.9056

Division III

Region 9 - 1. Chagrin Falls (9-0) 24.0722, 2. Mentor Lake Cath. (8-1)21.3322, 3. Hunting Valley University School (8-1) 21.1722, 4. Ravenna (8-1)20.3111, 5. Akron St. Vincent-St Mary (8-1) 19.4089, 6. Cle. Benedictine(7-2) 18.8485, 7. Ravenna Southeast (9-0) 17.8667, 8. Oberlin Firelands(9-0) 15.9, 9. Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Valley Christian Acad. (7-2) 15.2111,10. Jefferson Area (7-2) 13.3222, 11. Cle. John Hay (6-3) 12.3283, 12.Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (5-4) 11.9556

Region 10 - 1. Cols. St. Francis DeSales (5-3) 17.9445, 2. Clyde (7-2)17.4944, 3. Cols. Eastmoor Acad. (7-2) 16.5455, 4. Bellevue (7-2) 15.45, 5.Elida (6-3) 13.7389, 6. Urbana (7-2) 12.8389, 7. Napoleon (4-5) 10.5389, 8.Caledonia River Valley (6-3) 10.5222, 9. Port Clinton (5-4) 10.4944, 10.Bryan (7-2) 9.5944, 11. Cols. Independence (5-4) 9.4167, 12. Cols. BishopWatterson (3-6) 9.2222

Region 11 - 1. Steubenville (9-0) 28.1075, 2. Minerva (9-0) 23.8944, 3.Dover (8-1) 22.9222, 4. Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (5-3) 21.7658, 5. CanalFulton Northwest (7-2) 19.0505, 6. Wintersville Indian Creek (7-2) 17.6317,7. Poland Seminary (6-3) 17.1389, 8. Thornville Sheridan (8-1) 16.6778, 9.Alliance Marlington (7-2) 15.7333, 10. Granville (8-1) 15.6167, 11. NewarkLicking Valley (6-3) 13.65, 12. Cambridge (7-2) 13.5606

Region 12 - 1. Plain City Jonathan Alder (9-0) 23.5222, 2. SpringfieldShawnee (9-0) 22.0389, 3. Day. Thurgood Marshall (8-1) 21.8469, 4. ThePlains Athens (9-0) 21.7222, 5. Circleville Logan Elm (9-0) 20.85, 6.Kettering Archbishop Alter (9-0) 19.7944, 7. Jackson (9-0) 16.8737, 8. NewRichmond (7-2) 15.1722, 9. Cin. Indian Hill (6-3) 14.3, 10. Cin. Taft (6-3)13.7971, 11. Gallipolis Gallia Acad. (6-3) 12.3444, 12. Eaton (7-2) 12.1722

Division IV

Region 13 - 1. Girard (8-1) 20.6556, 2. Orrville (6-3) 17.4833, 3. CrestonNorwayne (8-1) 16.2278, 4. Sullivan Black River (7-2) 15.2056, 5. Brookfield(8-1) 13.9444, 6. Canton Central Cath. (8-1) 13.3039, 7. Akron Manchester(6-3) 11.8167, 8. Leavittsburg LaBrae (5-4) 11.7944, 9. Cle. Central Cath.(6-3) 11.2677, 10. Cortland Lakeview (5-4) 9.517, 11. Streetsboro (5-4)9.4278, 12. Beachwood (6-3) 9.2667

Region 14 - 1. Cols. Bishop Hartley (8-0) 22.3125, 2. Kenton (9-0) 22.0778,3. Pemberville Eastwood (9-0) 20.6944, 4. Genoa Area (9-0) 18.7889, 5.Richwood North Union (8-1) 17.1833, 6. Ottawa-Glandorf (7-2) 16.7333, 7.Huron (8-1) 16.2944, 8. Wellington (6-3) 13.95, 9. Ontario (8-1) 12.4111,10. Oak Harbor (5-4) 9.55, 11. Galion (7-2) 8.7167, 12. Bellville Clear Fork(3-6) 7.8333

Region 15 - 1. St. Clairsville (8-1) 21.551, 2. Johnstown-Monroe (9-0)19.9778, 3. Coshocton (7-2) 16.7653, 4. Amanda-Clearcreek (7-2) 16.2525, 5.Martins Ferry (7-2) 15.7, 6. Ironton (5-4) 13.9899, 7. Chesapeake (7-2)13.2323, 8. Gnadenhutten Indian Valley (6-3) 11.7611, 9. Pomeroy Meigs (6-3)9.3444, 10. Piketon (5-4) 8.0333, 11. Wellston (4-5) 7.8389, 12. ZoarvilleTuscarawas Valley (4-5) 6.0333

Region 16 - 1. Waynesville (9-0) 22.5056, 2. Cin. Madeira (9-0) 18.5944, 3.Day. Chaminade-Julienne (7-2) 16.2879, 4. Williamsport Westfall (7-2)16.1889, 5. Cin. Hills Christian Acad. (7-2) 14.8322, 6. West MiltonMilton-Union (7-2) 14.5056, 7. Clarksville Clinton-Massie (7-2) 14.4222, 8.Cin. North College Hill (7-2) 13.197, 9. Brookville (6-3) 12.3944, 10. LeesCreek East Clinton (7-2) 12.1919, 11. Middletown Bishop Fenwick (7-2)10.3667, 12. Cin. Finneytown (5-4) 9.8182

Division V

Region 17 - 1. Kirtland (9-0) 19.85, 2. Woodsfield Monroe Central (8-1)17.1212, 3. Columbiana Crestview (8-1) 14.6722, 4. New MiddletownSpringfield (7-2) 13.5389, 5. Sugarcreek Garaway (7-2) 13.0167, 6. CampbellMemorial (7-2) 12.7833, 7. Cuyahoga Hts. (8-1) 12.5333, 8. SalinevilleSouthern (8-1) 12.2222, 9. Columbiana (7-2) 11.9611, 10. Louisville St.Thomas Aquinas (5-4) 10.3152, 11. Barnesville (7-2) 9.9569, 12. AtwaterWaterloo (6-3) 8.6717

Region 18 - 1. Bascom Hopewell-Loudon (9-0) 21.8278, 2. Liberty Center (9-0)20.2778, 3. Lima Central Cath. (9-0) 18.7, 4. Northwood (8-1) 15.7833, 5.Hamler Patrick Henry (7-2) 14.1444, 6. Findlay Liberty-Benton (8-1) 13.2611,7. Hicksville (7-2) 12.9833, 8. Carey (7-2) 12.6565, 9. Archbold (7-2)11.7278, 10. Spencerville (7-2) 11.1667, 11. Columbus Grove (6-3) 9.6556,12. Defiance Tinora (7-2) 8.9889

Region 19 - 1. Bucyrus Wynford (9-0) 21.5056, 2. Lucasville Valley (9-0)20.1222, 3. Nelsonville-York (9-0) 18.4833, 4. Grandview Hts. (9-0) 15.3222,5. Portsmouth West (8-1) 15.2444, 6. West Lafayette Ridgewood (7-2) 15.1056,7. Ashland Crestview (9-0) 15.0333, 8. Smithville (7-2) 14.3667, 9.Jeromesville Hillsdale (9-0) 14.35, 10. Centerburg (7-2) 12.6061, 11.Baltimore Liberty Union (8-1) 12.2222, 12. Wheelersburg (7-2) 11.6889

Region 20 - 1. Marion Pleasant (9-0) 19.4722, 2. West Liberty-Salem (9-0)16.6056, 3. Frankfort Adena (8-1) 15.5944, 4. Covington (9-0) 14.9722, 5.Coldwater (7-2) 13.8444, 6. West Jefferson (7-2) 11.2222, 7. Versailles(7-2) 11.1222, 8. North Lewisburg Triad (7-2) 11.05, 9. Cin. Summit CountryDay (6-3) 10.6443, 10. Miamisburg Day. Christian (8-1) 10.5964, 11. MilfordCenter Fairbanks (6-3) 9.9611, 12. Casstown Miami East (5-4) 9.2

Division VI

Region 21 - 1. Berlin Center Western Reserve (9-0) 15.4167, 2. YoungstownChristian (9-0) 13.2667, 3. Thompson Ledgemont (6-3) 13.24, 4. Shadyside(8-1) 14.8472, 5. Malvern (8-1) 12.4278, 6. Mogadore (6-3) 11.1333, 7.Warren John F. Kennedy (5-4) 8.0075, 8. Wellsville (4-5) 7.9556, 9.Strasburg-Franklin (5-4) 7.8111, 10. Cle. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (5-4)7.2576, 11. McDonald (5-4) 6.7, 12. Toronto (6-3) 6.4242

Region 22 - 1. Delphos St. John's (6-3) 13.9444, 2. Leipsic (8-1) 13.9222,3. Tiffin Calvert (7-2) 13.5404, 4. McComb (7-2) 10.6778, 5. Edgerton (7-2)10.3333, 6. Edon (6-3) 8.596, 7. Tol. Ottawa Hills (6-3) 8.298, 8. Arcadia(6-3) 7.7944, 9. Convoy Crestview (4-5) 7.3278, 10. Norwalk St. Paul (5-4)6.85, 11. Fremont St. Joseph Central Cath. (4-5) 5.7071, 12. Arlington (5-4)5.5556

Region 23 - 1. Willow Wood Symmes Valley (8-1) 12.0253, 2. Beallsville (7-2)11.7018, 3. Danville (6-3) 11.0, 4. New Washington Buckeye Central (7-2)10.6444, 5. Crown City South Gallia (7-2) 10.3586, 6. Portsmouth Sciotoville(6-3) 9.2727, 7. Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans (5-4) 9.197, 8. PortsmouthNotre Dame (7-2) 8.9674, 9. Hannibal River (5-4) 8.7273, 10. GlousterTrimble (6-3) 8.702, 11. Newark Cath. (4-5) 8.45, 12. Waterford (5-4) 6.4444

Region 24 - 29. Maria Stein Marion Local (0-9) 0, -. Fort Loramie (0-9) 0,1. Springfield Cath. Central (7-2) 13.9399, 2. Ada (8-1) 13.6263, 3.Lewisburg Tri-County North (7-2) 13.0778, 4. Cin. Country Day (8-1) 12.6444,5. Minster (7-2) 11.1944, 6. Waynesfield Waynesfield-Goshen (6-3) 9.7801, 7.Lockland (6-3) 9.1889, 8. Ansonia (6-3) 7.8889, 9. Arcanum (6-3) 7.8838, 10. S. Charleston Southeastern Local (6-3) 7.75

"Where is Carlton Mitchell? I thought he was supposed to be making good progress. We need a wide out that can catch the freaking ball and run. Robiskie is a bust. He does nothing but fall down. Give Colt somebody to throw to besides Watson, Moore and Little. Cribbs is OK as a receiver, but his value is on special teams." - wilda12

View full sizeLisa DeJong | The Plain DealerCarlton Mitchell hasn't seen much of the field since being drafted by the Browns in 2010.

In response to the story Multiple concussions a concern for Mohamed Massaquoi, Ben Watson: Browns Insider, cleveland.com reader wilda12 wonders if Carlton Mitchell could contribute on offense. This reader writes,

"Where is Carlton Mitchell? I thought he was supposed to be making good progress. We need a wide out that can catch the freaking ball and run. Robiskie is a bust. He does nothing but fall down. Give Colt somebody to throw to besides Watson, Moore and Little. Cribbs is OK as a receiver, but his value is on special teams."

Ohio State football has always fixated on the Michigan rivalry. Nowadays, it should be the one with Wisconsin. We will learn much about new OSU coach Luke Fickell as he faces his biggest test.

View full sizeAndy Manis, Associated PressThe physical side of the Ohio State-Wisconsin rivalry was on full display last year in the Badgers defeat of the then-top ranked Buckeyes in Madison, Wisc. With the Badgers holding the favorite's role in the Big Ten's new Leaders division, Bill Livingston thinks OSU should address this week's matchup in Columbus with a Michigan Week zeal.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- At Ohio State, the countdown is always to Michigan.

Jim Tressel brought fans roaring to their feet at an Ohio State basketball game the night he was hired a decade ago, promising they would be proud of the Buckeyes "in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan." The Buckeyes won. The Tressel legend was launched by his confident embrace of the rivalry.

"Big game this weekend. Better be ready," Tressel joked before the 2004 game, when Michigan with Chad Henne and Braylon Edwards, among others, had already clinched the Big Ten title, while Ohio State was a struggling 6-4.

His team was certainly ready. OSU won, 37-21.

Every year, Ohio State fans seem to think it's still Bo vs. Woody in "The Game." The Wolverines, however, were 1-9 on the field in the Tressel era, they are 0-7 on the field vs. OSU since 2003, and they wore clown shoes and light-up noses under Rich Rodriguez. Maybe that will change with new coach Brady Hoke.

But for now, the countdown should be to Wisconsin. Dating to 1999, the Badgers and Buckeyes have split their last 10 games. Even Tressel's reign did not extend to the land of dairy products and rent-a-quarterbacks. Tressel was only 4-4 against Wisconsin.

Asked Tuesday if Ohio State's players were pointing to Wisconsin, possibly by savagely ripping off the calendar pages until Saturday night's kickoff, coach Luke Fickell said that "this isn't redemption; this isn't repayment;" that every week is a battle in the Big Ten; that his guys know what the target is this week and they'll know the following week what the target is; and that ...

Zzzzzzz. Huh, what? Sorry. Dozed off there.

When pressed, though, Fickell said he thought it was 34 days until Michigan. (The correct answer, counting from Tuesday, is 32.)It was four days to Wisconsin on Tuesday, for sure.

Wisconsin was the only team to beat Tressel and his tattooed ineligibles last season. It made moot his gamble to win a tainted national championship. Wisconsin is the division rival with the mojo in the new, realigned Big Ten, especially since Joe Paterno became a ceremonial coach at Penn State years ago.

Controversies have flared between the Badgers and Buckeyes too -- over Ohio State players dancing on the midfield "Motion W" in Madison; over Wisconsin players' retaliation on the Block O in Columbus; and, most notoriously, over Ohio State linebacker Robert Reynolds' choking Wisconsin quarterback Jim Sorgi on the bottom of a pile of tacklers in 2003.

OSU cornerback Chris Gamble still hasn't found Bedford's Lee Evans on the out-and-up 79-yard pass Evans caught from back-up Matt Schabert in the last minutes to break a 19-game OSU winning streak that night.

Certainly, there should be plenty for which to play Saturday after Michigan State desperation-heaved Ohio State back into the division race with a last-play, replay-validated touchdown pass to hand the Badgers their first defeat.

Wisconsin is better this year than the team that spoiled Ohio State's 2010 season. That is where Russell Wilson, Badgers quarterback at the moment, comes in. A North Carolina State graduate and three-year starter there, Wilson declared himself a free agent and jumped to Wisconsin, largely because of its big-time offensive line. Auburn, needing a new mercenary to replace Cam Newton, was the runner-up.

College football is in the era of out-and-out guns for hire now, so Fickell, a self-described emotional coach, better have more in his psychological armory than he showed Tuesday.

Fickell has, frankly, not been good in the big games. With OSU down, 17-6, he let Miami consume 8:48 of the fourth quarter, until only 33 seconds remained, without calling a timeout.

Against Nebraska, as a 27-6 lead melted in the rain, Fickell watched Joe Bauserman's memorably inaccurate incompletions kill the clock for the rallying Huskers. Fickell has little input in the offense, but any head coach should have veto power over such ill-conceived play-calling.

But Fickell deserves credit for preventing a victimization mindset among the remaining players. They were sabotaged, not so much by the NCAA, as by their own teammates. The coach preached a "Men of Action" approach. He demanded that the Buckeyes look forward, not backward and play with the ones they have, not the ones they had. It kept the team from fracturing into "Men of Faction."

He has a team that suffered suspension and defection, one that collapsed against Nebraska and re-inflated itself against Illinois without any air game to speak of. Somehow, Ohio State past the season's mid-point is still in the hunt to go to the Rose Bowl.

A win Saturday changes everything. And the clock is ticking. Big game coming. Better be ready.

On Twitter: @LivyPD

49ers rookie coach Jim Harbaugh is the toast of San Francisco with his team running away in the NFC West Division.

View full sizeAP fileA 14-year veteran as an NFL quarterback, rookie San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh has improved the efficiency of 49ers QB Alex Smith (left), who was largely considered a bust entering this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The story goes that three NFL head coaches were talking at dinner one night at the annual league meetings in New Orleans in March. They were Jim Schwartz of Detroit, John Harbaugh of Baltimore and his younger brother, Jim, of San Francisco.

The topic was the impending NFL owners lockout and the effect it might have on the 2011 season. Schwartz opined that the league shutdown would kill hopes of any of the eight rookie head coaches having a good season. Jim Harbaugh listened to Schwartz and didn't say a word. The look on his face said, "Watch me."

That was part of the back story to the now-famous handshake Harbaugh gave Schwartz after his 49ers handed the Lions their first loss of the season two weeks ago, 25-19.

"Showed you."

The win improved the 49ers to 5-1 -- second-best record in the NFL. The Browns play Harbaugh's resurgent team Sunday in Candlestick Park.

Harbaugh's overly scrutinized handshake with Schwartz, which was more like a "get out of my way" shove in the back, played into Harbaugh's tough-guy image in the Bay Area. His predecessor as 49ers coach, Mike Singletary, was one of the toughest NFL players of his era, but he didn't win nearly enough to achieve the popularity Harbaugh has in his six games on the job.

Harbaugh had more going for him, too. Local fans had watched Harbaugh build nearby Stanford into a national BCS championship contender in four years after inheriting an 0-11 program. Also, Harbaugh was recruited as Stanford's coach by 49ers icon Bill Walsh, who was consulting for the university at which he also formerly coached right up until the time he died from cancer.

So when Harbaugh resisted reportedly more money offered by Miami Dolphins owner Steven Ross -- and the chance to return as a hero to his alma mater, the University of Michigan -- long-suffering 49ers fans instantly fell in love. Harbaugh has given them reason to hope the team can return to league prominence after an eight-year playoff drought.

The 49ers are the lone quality team in the NFC West, which has for some time been regarded as the weakest division in the NFL. This year, the division has the second-worst record in out-of-division games -- 6-15. Four wins belong to the 49ers.

They have opened a three-game lead in the NFC West by playing the same physical style that Harbaugh fashioned at Stanford. Though Harbaugh espouses the Walsh-inspired West Coast offense, his brand emphasizes the tough running of Frank Gore, low-risk passing primarily to two tight ends and a swarming, 3-4 defense that suffocates opponents' running games.

Though quarterback Alex Smith has the highest passer rating of his seven-year career -- by far -- Harbaugh has him throwing and thinking less.

And yes, Harbaugh did hire an offensive coordinator. He's Greg Roman, the same man who helped develop Stanford's Andrew Luck into the next great NFL quarterback prospect. Roman, incidentally, calls the offensive plays for the 49ers.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: tgrossi@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

On Twitter: @TonyGrossi

Tony Grossi's Scouting Report

View full sizePaul Sakuma, Associated PressThe punishing style of 49ers running back Frank Gore belies the team's transition into a West Coast offensive style this season.

Browns vs. San Francisco 49ers

Sunday, 4:15 p.m., in Candlestick Park, San Francisco, Calif.

Record: 5-1.

Last game: Defeated Detroit, 25-19, Oct. 16, in Detroit.

Coach: Jim Harbaugh, 5-1, first year.

Series record: Browns lead, 11-6.

Last meeting: Browns won, 20-7, Dec. 30, 2007 in Cleveland.

League rankings: Offense is 27th overall (sixth rushing, 31st passing), defense is 11th (second rushing, 22nd passing) and turnover differential is plus-8.

Offensive overview: Coordinator Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh essentially are running the same version of the West Coast offense they had at Stanford. It's a two-tight end, power running offense that sets up play-action passing. The one big difference is they don't ask quarterback Alex Smith to do too much. Smith is athletic and smart enough to avoid losing games. Smith's 95.2 passer rating is 21 points higher than his career mark. But his attempts, completions and yards are the second-fewest of any QB ranked in the top 20. Six of Smith's eight TDs have gone to tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker. Frank Gore's physical running is the key to what they do. This offense belies the "finesse" and "precision-timing" labels of the typical West Coast offense.

Defensive overview: Coordinator Vic Fangio kind of fell into a well-stocked roster. The club has been drafting for a 3-4 defense since 2005. But what's really improved the front seven -- especially against the run -- has been the play of second-year inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who doesn't take a backseat to the more-heralded Patrick Willis, who lines up beside him. Another playmaker is right end Justin Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler who may be having the best season in his 11th year. On passing downs, rookie 'tweener Aldon Smith is the designated pass rusher. He has produced a team-high 5.5 sacks. The secondary is led by free agent cornerback Carlos Rogers, who has three interceptions and one for a touchdown.

Special teams overview: Ex-Browns special teams coordinator Brad Seely already has made an impact. Ted Ginn Jr. had kickoff and punt return touchdowns in the season opener. Another punt return by Ginn set up a winning score in Detroit. The coverage units and kickers also are outstanding. The team ranks in the top 10 in most of the important categories. Kicker David Akers has made 13 of 15 field goals with a long of 55 yards (twice). Punter Andy Lee is second in gross average (50.5 yards) and tied for first in net (44.4).

View full sizeRick Osentoski, Associated PressVeteran defensive end Justin Smith has 70.5 career sacks, including this one of Detroit's Matthew Stafford two weeks ago.

Players to watch:

• Running back Frank Gore: One of the toughest, most physical backs in the NFL, he's on pace for 1,400 yards, which wouldn't even be his career high (1,695 in 2006).

• Defensive end Justin Smith: His consecutive games streak of 166 is the fifth-longest among active players and by far the longest of any defensive lineman. A two-time Pro Bowler who makes plays in the running game and the passing game.

• Outside linebacker Aldon Smith: A 6-4, 258-pound rush specialist with the wingspan of a seven-footer. The 11th pick of the 2011 draft has 5.5 sacks in his last three games.

Injury report: WR Braylon Edwards (knee) and FB Moran Norris (fibula) have missed the last four games. ... OG Adam Snyder (stinger) and LB Parys Haralson (hamstring) will be limited during the week.

Small world: Wide receiver Braylon Edwards was the Browns' first-round draft pick in 2005 and was traded in 2008. ... Linebacker Blake Costanzo played for Browns in 2009-10. ... Director of college scouting Joel Patten played for the Browns in 1980-82. ... Special teams coordinator Brad Seely had the same job with Browns 2009-10. ... Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., safety Donte Whitner and offensive lineman Alex Boone all are native Clevelanders and played at Ohio State. ... Linebacker Larry Grant played at Ohio State. ... President and CEO Jed York is a native of Youngstown.

The Indians have until three days after the final game of the World Series to exercise $16 million in options or not.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerIn mid-summer, the Indians were strongly leaning toward picking up Grady Sizemore's $9 million option for 2012. But after another injury-shortened season, has that opinion changed?

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- The Indians are holding strategy meetings this week to decide if they'll exercise the 2012 contract options on Grady Sizemore and Fausto Carmona.

Sizemore is the more pressing of the two decisions. Not only in terms of the size of the $9 million option, but because he'll be eligible for free agency if the option isn't picked up.

Carmona's option is worth $7 million. If the Indians don't exercise it, he's still under their control because he has only five full seasons in the big leagues. A player needs six years to be eligible for free agency.

The deadline for exercising the options is three days after the final game of the World Series. The series could end Wednesday if Texas beats St. Louis in Game 6 at Busch Stadium.

In July, sentiment in the Indians' executive offices was strong to exercise Sizemore's option. Now it would not be surprising if they refuse the option, let him file for free agency and try to re-sign him for less money. They have already talked with Sizemore's agent, Joe Urbon, about renegotiating the option into a multiyear deal for the same kind of money. It's not going to happen.

At the crux of the issue is Sizemore's health. He's had five operations in the last three years. The fifth and final surgery came right after this season when he had an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee to correct a slow healing bone bruise.

The former Gold Glove center fielder has played 210 of a possible 486 games over three years. He's had surgery on his left elbow, left groin (twice), left knee and right knee. He had microfracture surgery on his left knee in June of 2010 and still hasn't fully recovered.

Here are the threads that GM Chris Antonetti and his staff are trying to tie together before making a final call on Sizemore:

• Determine not only how much he will be on the field next year, but how productive he'll be.

Teams like to get snapshots of their players near the end of the season so they can project what kind of performance they'd get from them in the coming year. The Indians weren't able to do that with Sizemore regarding his swing, speed or explosiveness in the outfield or on the bases because he wasn't healthy when he came off the disabled list in September.

The Indians have consulted doctors on how productive Sizemore, 29, will be next year given his medical history. They've examined case studies of players who have undergone microfracture knee surgery to see how they've rebounded. There isn't a lot of information on baseball players who have this kind of surgery. There is no defined recovery time and expectation of performance as there is with other more baseball specific injuries such as Tommy John and rotator cuff surgery.

• Determine the risk of investing $9 million in Sizemore compared to spending the money on other areas of the team.

While other teams may look at Sizemore as an attractive free-agent gamble because they can afford to sign another outfielder as an insurance policy, the Indians don't have that luxury. They cannot afford to carry Sizemore, plus a wing man, on the payroll.

There is also a question of whether Sizemore's injuries have become chronic. Other position players, such as Eric Chavez and Brian Roberts, have had their careers slowed after years of steady production because of a series of injuries they have yet to reverse.

• If the decision is made not to exercise Sizemore's option, who do the Indians replace him with? Sizemore or no Sizemore, they need another starting outfielder to match with Michael Brantley and Shin-Soo Choo. The minor-league system is bare -- unless you have a strong desire to watch Ezequiel Carrera or Trevor Crowe play every day.

If Sizemore does become a free agent, don't look for the Indians to offer him arbitration. He would not be a Type A or B free agent, so the Indians wouldn't be compensated with draft picks if another team signed him.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerFausto Carmona may have been perplexed during this August game, but the argument for picking up his option seems reasonably clear-cut.

• Determine the cost of Sizemore's replacement. What players would the Indians have to give up in a trade? If they sign a free agent, how much will he cost in terms of salary? Not only that, can they convince a free agent of substance to come to Cleveland?

At the trading deadline in July, the Indians tried to acquire Carlos Beltran from the Mets and he made it clear he would not approve the deal. So you can scratch Beltran off the Indians' list this winter, but there are several other outfielders.

The Indians do have some flexibility in the type of outfielder they'd add. Brantley can play center field so they could concentrate on adding a corner outfielder who could improve the offense.

The chances of the Indians exercising Carmona's option are stronger than Sizemore's. The only way they could cut him loose would be to non-tender him. That's unlikely.

The Indians need starting pitchers, especially durable ones such as Carmona. If the Indians don't pick up his option, and went to arbitration, he'd have a chance to make more than $7 million. The Indians would also lose their club options on him for 2013 and 2014.

Regarding replacement cost, adding a veteran to be a third or fourth starter in the rotation would probably cost the Indians at least $7 million a year.

Another positive about Carmona is that he still has trade value. The Indians could pick up the option and move him later this winter or next season if a need arises.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Second-guessers carry no weight with the Rangers' manager.

View full sizeTony Gutierrez, Associated PressRon Washington hasn't had any problems with bullpen phones, and isn't stressing about second-guessers, either.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Clubhouse confidential: Here's how the Rangers' Ron Washington describes his managerial style: "I do a lot by the way the game is flowing. ... It's just the flow of the game and I'm in the flow of the game.

"There maybe is a point where someone says you should have done this. Well, you don't know my players. That's you saying that. Maybe the strategists say that's what you should do, but the flow of the game says something different. I'm in the flow."

Seventh heaven: If the World Series goes to seven games, the Rangers will start lefty Matt Harrison. The Cardinals, facing elimination in Game 6, aren't saying.

"Every part of me wants us to play a Game 7, but we have to deal with Game 6 first," said manager Tony La Russa, who concedes he and pitching coach Dave Duncan have talked about it.

"We have a real positive feeling how we'll pitch Game 7, but we have to get there first," said La Russa.

Stat of the day: La Russa ranks second among managers with 68 postseason victories. Former Yankee manager Joe Torre is first with 84.

The Buckeyes should be cauldrons of emotion -- revenge, pride and hope creating a combustible football elixir on Saturday.

View full sizeAndy Manis, Associated PressTwice during the 2010-11 school year, Wisconsin fans enjoyed the sensation of knocking off a top-ranked Ohio State team -- once each in football and basketball. The football Buckeyes get their chance to earn some payback this Saturday night in Ohio Stadium. "We're not going for revenge," says tight end Jake Stoneburner. "We want to show them what's up, show them they got the best of us last year, but it's a different year."

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Luke Fickell was already sleeping. Defensive lineman John Simon said he was half-awake at his family's home in Youngstown as Michigan State's Hail Mary against Wisconsin changed Ohio State's season.

"It was a great game," Simon said. "I couldn't fall asleep."

The Buckeyes had better be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed now. What happened last Saturday night in Wisconsin's last-second loss to the Spartans is just one more thing to catch Ohio State's attention. Such as:

• The loss at Wisconsin last season, their only defeat of 2010;

• The resuscitation of their Big Ten title hopes by Michigan State's upset of the previously undefeated Badgers;

• Their only primetime home game of the season;

• The special uniforms they're wearing; and

• the bye week that followed their best win of the season.

As a result, the Buckeyes should be cauldrons of emotion -- revenge, pride, hope, ESPN and Nike creating a combustible football elixir.

"Oh yeah, all those," tight end Jake Stoneburner said. "The Wisconsin loss last year, that hurts. I wouldn't say we're going out for revenge. It's more we're going out to beat them. Put all that together, it's going to be one crazy atmosphere, and our team is definitely going to be more than energized and ready to play that game."

There's no reason to really buy the Buckeyes downplaying the revenge angle. It's clear that directive came from Fickell, and it made sense. Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema isn't afraid to stir the pot at times, and he did at the Big Ten preseason meetings when he remembered and brought up former OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor's quote that the Buckeyes would have beaten Wisconsin nine times out of 10 last season.

"So we really wanted to play that game against him," Bielema said in July, wishing Pryor was back for 2011. "Unfortunately we won't. But our kids know what they did last year."

But that's not Fickell's style, not as a first-year boss.

"I'm going to play it cool for now," center Mike Brewster said with a grin, "but Saturday will be here soon enough. Coach Fick said we're going to let our play do the talking and we're going to have to step up and do that."

So we know the Badgers may not be big fans of at least some Buckeyes, though Stoneburner was at a loss trying to defend Pryor's words.

"Terrelle's not here anymore, so we can't really deal with what he said," Stoneburner said. "He's off doing his own thing."

Remember, though, the Buckeyes really don't like the Badgers, either. Last season, Wisconsin claimed victories over a top-ranked Ohio State team in both football and basketball. After the Badgers gave the basketball Buckeyes their first loss of the season in February, OSU receiver DeVier Posey was among several football players to express their frustration on Twitter.

"I'll be totally honest, I hate Wisconsin. With a passion," Posey wrote. "Yeah I said it! I can't wait to play them again next season! Just being honest."

That next season is here. Posey, still in the midst of his second five-game suspension, won't play. But his words are a read on what's really happening now. The Buckeyes have to ride that emotion against the Badgers, who will enter Ohio Stadium as 7-point favorites.

"I wouldn't say it's a revenge game, but I definitely cannot wait to play them," Stoneburner said. "They put us down in basketball, they put us down when we were No. 1 last year, so why wouldn't you look forward to playing them? We're not going for revenge. We want to show them what's up, show them they got the best of us last year, but it's a different year."

Fickell talks often about taming emotions, and he was frustrated early in the season when some Buckeyes cramped out of uncontrollable emotions. But this is a time when it has to help the Buckeyes, not hurt them.

"On defense, we always say you can't play football without emotion," linebacker Etienne Sabino said. "When you play football, it's a game built on emotions."

However you want to phrase it, here's what's happening.

This season, the Buckeyes are 4-3 overall and 1-2 in Big Ten play, but if they beat the No. 12 Badgers (6-1, 2-1) and run the table, they'd need only one other Penn State loss in order to win the Leaders Division and play in the first Big Ten championship game.

Last season, Wisconsin ruined Ohio State's chances to play for a national title (which would have been vacated anyway) with a 31-18 win in Madison. The Buckeyes felt they were good enough to play for it all.

"One hundred percent, no doubt in my mind," Stoneburner said. "But we didn't perform that one time, so we weren't able to prove it."

"It's a lot of what-ifs, but I thought we had the ability," Brewster said. "And it's still one of those things you just wonder, 'What if? What could have happened? What could have been?' But it's just one of those games where they got on top fast and we couldn't catch up. But it's a new year and we have new opportunity now. And that's kind of our focus."

The next time Jason Motte comes out of the bullpen on time, manager Tony La Russa might faint. He kept looking for Motte in Game 5 of the World Series, but he never showed until it was too late.

View full sizeJeff Roberson, Associated PressTony La Russa had plenty to answer for after claiming a confused conversation over the bullpen phone in Arlington, Texas led to a bizarre use of relievers in the eighth inning of Game 5.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- For the second straight day manager Tony La Russa came bearing answers to explain how his Cardinals lost Game 5 of the World Series Monday night.

No matter how much he talked, or how eloquently he pleaded his case, St. Louis is still facing elimination Wednesday night in Game 6 at Busch Stadium.

All this because of a couple of phone conversations between La Russa and bullpen coach Derek Lilliquist in Arlington went terribly wrong. It's so confusing, and so unexpected of the precise and detailed La Russa, that at any minute a new version of Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First" routine could break out.

Here's what happened.

In a game tied at 2-2, Michael Young opened the eighth with a double off Cardinals reliever Octavio Dotel, who struck out Adrian Beltre and intentionally walked Nelson Cruz after a visit by pitching coach Dave Duncan.

While that was going on, La Russa said he called Lilliquist told him to get lefty Marc Rzepczynski and righty Jason Motte ready. Lilliquist heard Rzepczynski's name, said he never heard La Russa say Motte.

"I may have hung up before he heard me say Motte," conceded La Russa.

Rzepczynski replaced Dotel to face lefty David Murphy. On cue, Murphy sent a potential double-play ball back to the mound, but it took a weird hop and bounced off Rzepczynski's body for a hit, loading the bases. La Russa's next move was to bring in Motte, who can throw close to 100 mph, to face Mike Napoli, the Rangers' right-handed power-hitting catcher.

Before heading to the mound, La Russa looked into the Cardinals bullpen and didn't see Motte throwing. He called Lilliquist again to get Motte ready. But Lilliquist thought La Russa requested Lance Lynn, another right-hander. Lynn wasn't supposed to pitch except for an emergency.

La Russa was caught.

"There is no way you can stall long enough to get him ready," said La Russa, even though it was Lynn, not Motte, who was starting to loosen.

So Rzepczynski had to face Napoli, who hit .319 against lefties during the regular season. Napoli doubled into the right-field gap on a 1-1 pitch to score two runs. After Rzepczynski struck out Mitch Moreland, La Russa went to the mound thinking Motte was finally going to enter the game.

Wrong again.

As La Russa waited on the mound, Lynn jogged in from the pen.

"When he got to the mound, I said, 'What are you doing here?'" said La Russa.

He then ordered Lynn to intentionally walk Ian Kinsler to reload the bases because he didn't want to risk Lynn injuring his arm. At last, he was able to hand the ball to Motte, who struck out Elvis Andrus. Not only was it too little, but it was far too late.

La Russa took the blame.

"I told Derek, 'Believe me, this is not your problem,'" said La Russa.

But the fact that Lilliquist at one time pitched for the Indians seems to put things into perspective. This kind of thing is supposed to happen to the Tribe, not the stately Cardinals as they try to win their 11th World Series championship.

All in all, this was not a postseason game that covered La Russa in glory.

The Cardinals stranded 12 runners and went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Texas pitchers tied a World Series record by issuing four intentional walks, three to Albert Pujols. Every time Texas manager Ron Washington displayed four fingers, he escaped without a run being scored.

The game offered a revealing look at how much freedom Pujols has under La Russa. Allen Craig walked with one out in the seventh against Alexi Ogando. Pujols flashed him the hit-and-run sign. Craig took off on the next pitch and was thrown out by Napoli. Pujols didn't offer at the high fastball from Ogando and was intentionally walked for the third time.

"Albert has had the ability for several years to put the hit-and-run on," said La Russa.

La Russa said Pujols has earned that because of his talent and baseball smarts. It will be interesting to see if Pujols gets the same freedom should he bolt St. Louis through free agency.

In the ninth, it was La Russa, not Pujols, who called for a run-and-hit with Craig on first and Pujols batting. Trailing, 4-2, he was trying to create a first-and-third situation with no outs. Instead La Russa ended up with a strike-'em out, throw 'em-out double play.

It was that kind of night.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Ohio State will wear a special uniform Saturday for the third straight game, this time against Wisconsin instead of Michigan. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There was a time when a uniform change was the most controversial topic Ohio State fans had to worry about. Oh, the good old days. In light of the off-field issues of the past 10 months, the Buckeyes' uniform switch for Saturday's game against Wisconsin isn't quite so angst-ridden.

The Buckeyes will wear Nike's special one-game uniforms for the third straight season, though this is the first time it's not for the Michigan game. The look is intended to honor the 1961 OSU team, and the sleeves of the players' undershirts feature a gray bark pattern supposedly inspired by the Buckeye Grove, where Ohio State plants a tree for every first-team All-American.

"I'm pretty happy with it," tight end Jake Stoneburner said. "I like new things."

But the scarlet jerseys, gray pants and silver helmet with a scarlet stripe are done primarily because Nike asked and because kids seem to like them.

"I think a few years ago when Coach [Jim Tressel] brought it up to me, I was against it," first-year head coach Luke Fickell said. "I said, 'I'm not a guy that likes a whole lot of change.' I've seen how the young men, the guys like it, the team likes it. I think it's a part of our culture now. I'm sure there's a lot of traditionalists that don't.

"I think it's a good thing. I really do. It brings some excitement, different things, whether it's a marketing thing or a recruiting thing. Our guys enjoy it. We enjoy it."

Earlier this year, Ohio University produced a video of the Bobcats' players going crazy when their special black uniforms were unveiled. That's a color that might inspire similar excitement among the Buckeyes, and it's the color Fickell wears on the sidelines every game. So ... maybe a black OSU uniform eventually?

"I don't know in history that they've worn that," Fickell said. "Unless they have something back in the archives, I don't know that we'll be changing that uniform much."

But doesn't black make you look tough?

"Al Davis thought so, I think," Fickell said. "For me, it's just what we wear."

No point in worrying: Asked about his job security, and whether running the table might give him a shot to win the full-time job, Fickell said it's not something he thinks about. He said he hadn't been told what the administration might want to see.

"My wife tells me all the time what she wants to see from me. That's all I have to worry about," he said. "Again, it's day-to-day. My focus is those men, this program, this team. Everything else will take care of itself."

No petition here: Players from five college football programs, including Purdue, signed petitions recently asking for athletes to be given a cut of the NCAA's television contract.

OSU senior center Mike Brewster, one of the veterans who might know something about that topic, said there's no petition circling at Ohio State. Purdue coach Danny Hope said Tuesday that he didn't know about more than 70 of his players signing the petition until he read about it that morning.

"They have an opinion and felt the need to express it and I appreciate that," Hope said, adding that people need to do their homework, and that all the facts will help the players assess the issue.

Decisions, decisions: Fickell was noncommittal about the status of backup running back and return man Jaamal Berry, who according to a police report allegedly punched two people on a street near campus Friday. Berry had been involved in another incident earlier this season, when his erratic behavior led Ohio State to run a series of medical tests on Berry to assess his health.

Berry has not yet been charged, but he may be suspended if he is.

"We're looking into it and we take this very seriously," Fickell said. "There's nothing ... that's much more important in this entire group than how we represent this team." ... Cornerback Dominic Clarke, who was suspended for the Buckeyes' last game at Illinois, is back at his usual position as Ohio State's No. 3 cornerback.

If you were making the call, which player's option would you pick up? Both? Or neither?

APFausto Carmona

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Indians hold a $9 million option on Grady Sizemore and $7 million on Fausto Carmona for 2012 that must be exercised three days after the final game of the World Series. If they don’t exercise the option, Sizemore will become a free agent, and Carmona eligible for arbitration.

If the Indians don't pick up the options for Sizemore and Carmona, they conceivably would have $16 million to spend this winter on improving the roster.

Read Paul Hoynes' breakdown on why the Tribe should and should not pull the trigger on each player, as well as some free agents who would be available if they take a pass.

If you're Indians president Mark Shapiro and general manager Chris Antonetti, what would you do? Pick up Sizemore's option? Pick up Carmona's? Or both?

Who is the MVP of the Big Ten?

Rick Wood, Milwaukee Journal-SentinelWisconsin QB Russell Wilson

The Big Ten has witnessed some fine performances this season, and when it comes to the MVP so far in the conference, several names come to mind.

On Saturday, the Ohio State Buckeyes will face one of the best players in the country in Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson, who leads the Big Ten with a QB rating of 204.9. But what about Penn State running back Silas Redd who has six touchdowns and 869 yards.

 There's also Illinois wide receiver A.J. Jenkins (987 yards), and Illinois' Whitney Mercilus, who leads the conference with 10 sacks.

OSU's Johnathan Hankins is the biggest man on campus.

APOhio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins (52) stops Illinois Fighting Illini running back Donovonn Young (5) for a loss.

Not only is Ohio State defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins a big man on campus, but at 335 pounds, Hankins is one of the biggest men defensive players in the nation, writes ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.

Every time "Big Hank" blows up a double team or drops a running back in the backfield, the number 335 is bound to be mentioned, whether it's on the television broadcast, the radio broadcast, Twitter or by fans in the stands. Hankins' size makes him stand out.

But Hankins spent the offseason focused on a different number: 60.

Ohio State's defense averaged 60.7 plays per game in 2010. Hankins wanted to make he'd be on the field for all of them in 2011.

The big man also seems to be getting stronger with each game, Rittenberg writes. Hankins opened Big Ten play with six tackles and a sack against Nebraska. He followed that game with a team-high nine tackles against Illinois.

Around the Horseshoe

The Buckeyes can't wait to face Wisconsin, writes Doug Lesmerises on Cleveland.com.

Coach Luke Fickell expects a determined Wisconsin on Saturday.

Last week's loss by Wisconsin, puts Saturday's game in new light.

Coach Luke Fickell won't play underdog card.

On ESPN's AFC North blog, the Cleveland Browns' special teams are No. 1 when it comes to falling stocks. The special teams are so bad, that the Baltimore Ravens' wide receivers (a terrible cast of characters) are No.2. 1. Browns' special teams: Yes, this group was on the list last week. But Cleveland's special teams dipped farther down after...

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerCleveland Browns' Josh Cribbs.

On ESPN's AFC North blog, the Cleveland Browns' special teams are No. 1 when it comes to falling stocks.

The special teams are so bad, that the Baltimore Ravens' wide receivers (a terrible cast of characters) are No.2.

1. Browns' special teams: Yes, this group was on the list last week. But Cleveland's special teams dipped farther down after two field goals were blocked and punter Brad Maynard booted a 9-yard kick Sunday. The Browns would've allowed another return for a touchdown this week if not for a very questionable block in the back penalty. This unit is having a major meltdown this year. 

But all isn't bad for the Browns. The top rising stock in the AFC North is the Browns' drafting of defensive players. Two starters on the defensive line -- defensive tackle Phil Taylor and defensive end Jabaal Sheard -- were drafted in the first two rounds this year, writes ESPN's Jamison Hensley.

. . . This explains the resurgence of the Browns' defense, which has gone from 31st in 2009 (before these four starters were drafted) to No. 4 this week.

More Browns

The San Francisco 49ers take a new approach to the running game.

A Michigan man leads the 49ers.

News-Herald reporter Jeff Schudel writes that coach Pat Shurmur is not a phony.

The 49ers are rolling with their new coach.

Questions and answers.

Manny Acta knows Tony La Russa's pain.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerGrad Sizemore

There has been plenty of chatter about Cardinals manager Tony La Russa's debacle in the fifth game of the World Series.

You remember?

La Russa goes to the mound, makes a pitching change — and the wrong reliever comes in from the bullpen.

News-Herald reporter Jim Ingraham writes how the same thing happened to Cleveland Indians manager Manny Acta.

Good thing it wasn't in a Major League game.

"The exact same thing happened to me a few years ago when I was managing in winter ball in the Dominican Republic," said Acta. "It's really embarrassing. because people think you're a fricking idiot."

 "I looked at the guy," said Acta, "and said, ‘What the hell are you doing here?' ''

Acta's debacle happened didn't happen in the Majors, but it doesn't make it any less embarassing.

"In some ways, mine was even worse," he said, "because the guy who came in was a right-hander, and so was the batter, but I had to tell that pitcher to walk the hitter, and then I brought in a left-hander to face the right-hander. It was one of the worst days in my career."

More Tribe

Here are Paul Hoynes' thoughts about Grady Sizemore and the Tribe.

Jim Thome plans to return to MLB.

Albert Pujols should remain in St. Louis.

APTony La Russa

MLB.com columnist Mike Bauman writes not only how the St. Louis Cardinals could get eliminated tonight, but how this could also be the last game for Albert Pujols in a Cardinals' uniform.

Despite that fact, Bauman writes how Pujols should stay.

With his free agency possibly days away, it is possible that some franchise might pony up even more money than the Cardinals to secure Pujols' services for the foreseeable future. But this isn't about speculating who else and how much and for how long.

The fact is that nowhere else can be Pujols be more admired, adored, revered, and, yes, protected than he is in St. Louis right now.

One of the best things for Pujols, and for the rest of the players on the Cardinals, is manager Tony La Russa.

Why?

"Treat the club like a family," he said. "I don't throw the family under the bus. So I'd rather take the hit. It's not a lie, there was a mix-up. The mix-up was I did a hit-and-run against a guy like Ogando after he's being pitched carefully -- if [Pujols] would have asked me, I would have said don't put it on, because they're obviously being very careful with him."

 

More World Series news

Rain or shine, Colby Lewis is ready for Game 6.

Columnist Bryan Burwell writes how the Cardinals' bats need to sizzle.

Tony La Russa has more explaining to do.

The ratings are down during an exciting World Series.

Listen to the audio of Jim Tressel with an NCAA investigator.

Marvin Fong | The Plain DealerJim Tressel

"Why can't the Browns win the AFC North? Because their offense doesn't score points. Sure, anything is possible, but let's be real here. The D is playing outstanding, but if the offense has the ball for 40+ minutes and only puts up six points, that's your reason why the Browns won't win the AFC North." - wilddeuce03

View full sizeAssociated PressPat Shurmur will need to get the Browns' offense in order if they are going to contend in their division this year.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns: So, why can't they win the AFC North? asks Dennis Manoloff (SBTV), cleveland.com reader wilddeuce03 thinks the offense will keep the Browns from contending in their division. This reader writes,

"Why can't the Browns win the AFC North? Because their offense doesn't score points. Sure, anything is possible, but let's be real here. The D is playing outstanding, but if the offense has the ball for 40+ minutes and only puts up six points, that's your reason why the Browns won't win the AFC North."

Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter says Buckeye LBs will have to be on their game for OSU to have a shot. Watch video

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

The Ohio State Buckeyes, suddenly, are back in the Big Ten Leaders Division race heading into Saturday night's home game against the Wisconsin Badgers. Which team do you think will win, and by how many points? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises, who says the Buckeyes can play a good game and still lose by 14 points to the physical Badgers.

Doug also talks about whether he believes OSU coach Luke Fickell's contention that the Buckeyes are not out for revenge or retribution after last year's loss in Madison; and he discusses which position group needs to have a big game for the Buckeyes to keep it close.

SBTV will return Thursday with Browns safety Mike Adams as the special guest.

And remember to catch this week's Browns Insider show that streams live Thursday at 10 a.m. You can find that at cleveland.com/browns.

Massaquoi and Watson still out with concussions, Scott Fujita returns to workouts.

Joshua Gunter/The Plain DealerPeyton Hillis will start Sunday in San Francisco if he's fully recovered from his pulled hamstring.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns coach Pat Shurmur said running back Peyton Hillis will return to practice today from his pulled hamstring and will start in San Francisco if he's healthy enough to play.

"He's our starting halfback,'' said Shurmur.

He said he's confident Hillis will be able to block out the distractions of his tumultuous season and focus on playing his best football. Hillis was replaced last week by Montario Hardesty, who gained 95 yards on 33 carries and caught both passes thrown his way.

In other Browns news:

• Wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and tight end Ben Watson will sit out practice today with their concussions.
  
  
• Linebacker Scott Fujita will be back out there full-go today after sitting out last week with his concussion suffered in the Raiders game.
  
  
• Browns right guard Shaun Lauvao (bruised knee) won't do much today, Shurmur said.
  
  
• Browns kicker Phil Dawson will be limited today with his thigh bruise.
  
  
• Receiver Carlton Mitchell will be active this game and has been progressing well, Shurmur. "He's going into this knowing he needs to prepare himself both on special teams and scrimmage downs,'' said Shurmur.

"I think they should take a gamble and pick up Sizemore's option. It isn't like they are committing to him over several years. If it turns out to be a bad decision, it will be wiped from the books after next year. Who knows? Maybe he'll put up decent enough stats to be a Type B free agent after next season so they can at least get something if he leaves." - simdynasty

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerHave we seen the last of Grady Sizemore in an Indians uniform?

In response to the story It's decision time for the Cleveland Indians on Grady Sizemore and Fausto Carmona: Paul Hoynes analysis, cleveland.com reader simdynasty thinks the Indians should pick up Sizemore's option. This reader writes,

"I think they should take a gamble and pick up Sizemore's option. It isn't like they are committing to him over several years. If it turns out to be a bad decision, it will be wiped from the books after next year. Who knows? Maybe he'll put up decent enough stats to be a Type B free agent after next season so they can at least get something if he leaves."