The offensive line is one of the many strengths for the Ohio State Buckeyes this fall. Columbus Dispatch reporter Ken Gordon writes how the battle at left tackle last year and this year came down to Mike Adams and Andrew Miller. It looks like Miller is out because a painful left elbow forced him out of the jersey scrimmage...
Jim Tressel The offensive line is one of the many strengths for the Ohio State Buckeyes this fall. Columbus Dispatch reporter Ken Gordon writes how the battle at left tackle last year and this year came down to Mike Adams and Andrew Miller.
It looks like Miller is out because a painful left elbow forced him out of the jersey scrimmage Saturday.
"It's an issue I've had for a little while; I'm not exactly sure what's going on," Miller said. "I think it's just a little inflamed because of how much we're hitting. It becomes a thing of me losing strength in my arm, and so obviously, when that happens, it's bad for me and it's bad for the team.
"But once we're not practicing so much, things should quiet down."
It could not have come at a worse time for Miller, writes Gordon, because even if the elbow is not something serious, personnel decisions will be made early this week.
The Buckeyes open the season Sept.2, and coach Jim Tressel said now is the time to settle on lineups so the starters can get the majority of the practice snaps.
"Mike has been fortunate to be a little healthier," Tressel said. "Andrew has missed a little bit of time but I've been pleased with both those guys."
Secondary
Corners Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence will start for the Buckeyes this fall to the delight of OSU coach Jim Tressel, writes Toledo Blade reporter Matt Markey.
"That's a lot of game experience there," Tressel said about the pair, who give the Buckeyes seasoned, battle-hardened veterans at the vital cornerback position. They will be matched up against the opposition's best receivers, down after down, man-on-man.
"We go up against them every day in practice, and they're both really good cover guys," Ohio State senior wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said recently. "You feel like you earn anything you get in the passing game when you're facing talented players like our corners. I think it makes us better, facing them every day."
After Chekwa and Torrence, the Buckeyes are searching for a few reliable backups from the collection of sophomore Travis Howard, redshirt freshman Corey Brown, freshmen Dominic Clarke and Bradley Roby, and junior Donnie Evege.
Miami QB
The Buckeyes will face Miami and its fabulous quarterback in Jacory Harris, who threw for 3,352 yards and 24 touchdowns in his first season as a starter last season.
Harris is calm and quiet off the field. On the field is a different story.
"I'd say J12 is the guy who's completely confident about everything and has fun, loosens up when he gets on the field," Harris said in an interview with The Associated Press. "On the field, in the huddle, that's when he comes out. Then off the field, I'm my regular self. No one sees J12 off the field. I never intertwine the two."
Maybe not anymore. But the two sort of did intertwine at times last year, to Harris' detriment.
Big Ten
SI.com has a Big Ten report that predicts the Buckeyes will finish the season with one loss in the conference, and quarterback Terrelle Pryor will become the offensive MVP of the league.