Ohio State will continue its running back by committee philosophy, but Columbus Dispatch reporter Tim May writes how Brandon Saine is looking more and more like the lead runner. From spectacular catches and leaping plays in the Rose Bowl to a 103-yard, two-touchdown performance last week against Marshall, Saine isn't merely toting the ball anymore. He is putting on a show,...
Jim TresselOhio State will continue its running back by committee philosophy, but Columbus Dispatch reporter Tim May writes how Brandon Saine is looking more and more like the lead runner.
From spectacular catches and leaping plays in the Rose Bowl to a 103-yard, two-touchdown performance last week against Marshall, Saine isn't merely toting the ball anymore. He is putting on a show, one he hopes to keep playing right on through a game Saturday against No. 12 University of Miami.
"You just get out there, and it's like you're a different person on the field," Saine said. "You just do what you do and have fun. I have been playing football for so long, what happens comes naturally."
Saine has shared duties with Daniel Herron, but even Herron has noticed an improvement in Saine.
"It just seems like he's more free, he's more outspoken," Herron said. "Brandon is kind of a quiet guy, but now he talks a little more. He just feels comfortable now."
History lesson
Miami nation is still smarts over Ohio State's victory in the national championship. Field judge Terry Porter, who made the call, is not one of Miami's favorite people.
Nearly eight years later, as Miami and Ohio State play Saturday for the first time since the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, many UM fans still blame Porter.
They say Porter should not have made the call, even though a meticulous review vindicated him. They say his four-second hesitation was proof of his doubt.
``I replayed it in my mind,'' Porter said after the game in his only public comment on it. ``I wanted to make double sure that it was the right call.''
Support for LeBron
Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and Columbus Dispatch reporter Michael Arace love LeBron James, and they want you to love him too.
Good enough for me. I will seek out and hug LeBron James, Maverick Carter, World Wide Wes, Jim Gray - any and all conspirators - if they show up Saturday. I want to tell them how ashamed I am about feeling manipulated and abandoned. What a fool I am.
Off the field
Miami may keep the Big Ten's defensive player of the week off the field Saturday by playing its normal offense.
Against Marshall, writes Ken Gordon of The Columbus Dispatch, the Buckeyes were in a standard "base" defense, because Marshall played predominantly with three receivers. So Ohio State was mostly in the nickel.
Tyler Moeller had seven tackles, including a sack and forced fumble, on the way to winning the conference honor.
Miami, though, spends a lot of time in a conventional two-receiver, two-running back set. Haynes said the Buckeyes would not jump through hoops to get Moeller on the field more often.
"It's kind of tough," Haynes said of who plays and how much. "It goes week to week and just based off of what we see. Our linebacking corps is good, too."