Tressel said kicker Devin Barclay has won the right to handle more field goals than previously planned.
Jim Tressel, not in helmet, said today that running back Brandon Saine is as good as any running back in the country at catching the ball.Notes from Ohio State coach Jim Tressel's appearances on the Big Ten coaches conference call and on his one-hour weekly radio show today:
* On the call, Tressel was asked again about the potential of Ohio State-Michigan moving away from the end of the season. As he did at his news conference Monday, Tressel basically said he'll go along with what the conference wants, no matter what he really thinks. He he did add that in his lifetime, as an observer and as a part of the rivalry, he enjoyed Michigan and Ohio State playing at the end of the regular season, but "I'm not silly enough to think my feelings are the only ones that are important."
So that is as definite as Tressel as going to get. He doesn't like it. But it certainly sounds like that decision has already been made, by others. And he's not going to make a huge issue out of it.
* The Buckeyes had a kicking battle during the preseason. Entering camp, the breakdown was that senior Devin Barclay would handle field goals 42 yards and shorter, and freshman Drew Basil would handle the longer field goals and the kickoffs. Today, Tressel said Barclay would handle all the field goals 54 yards and shorter, and Basil would take anything 55 yards and longer, as well as the kickoffs.
So that's still a chance for both, but that's a big move for Barclay. Those 45-, 47-, 49-yard field goals can be gamechangers, the ones you should make that are far from gimmees. And winning the chance to take those is a victory for Barclay.
* Tressel said he believes running back Brandon Saine is may be as good as a receiver as any running back in America. I'm not going to pretend I know about every pass-catching running back in America, but I do think Saine is very good. In 36 career games, Saine has 32 catches, including 17 last season. Sounds like there's reason to expect him to catch at least 20 passes this season.
* It sounds as if the Buckeyes will five the entire second unit on the offensive line, maybe just with a big lead. We have certainly seen Ohio State do that before. Tressel singled out fifth-year senior Connor Smith for praise at left guard. The former five-star recruit has never turned into the player many expected, never starting in his career, he's cemented his spot with the second team this season. That second team, starting at left tackle, would be Andrew Miller-Smith-Corey Linsley-Jack Mewhort-Andrew Norwell. Norwell is a true freshman that Tressel also said looks good, though he has a ways to go. He joked that Norwell lost some of his feistiness when he cut his long hair during camp.
* Tressel said he expects that the defensive line may only two seven players deep for now, with starting Leo defensive end Nathan Williams missing the game. It sounds he would like to keep the option open to redshirt freshman Leo J.T. Moore, who is the No. 2 Leo for now with Williams out. The other three backups in that top seven would be Garrett Goebel, Adam Bellamy and Johnathan Hankins. I'm trying to check out exactly where redshirt freshman Melvin Fellows stands. He did miss at least some practice time during camp and was a third-teamer in the team scrimmage.
* This isn't new, but to confirm, starting cornerback Chimdi Chekwa practiced Monday and should be ready for Thursday. Tressel wasn't sure about Chekwa as of Monday afternoon, but cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson said Monday night Chekwa practiced and looked ready. Travis Howard will see time backing up Chekwa as the No. 3 corner, while No. 4 corner Corey Brown and No. 5 corner Dominic Clarke will spell starting corner Devon Torrence on the other side.