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http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3581744

Buckeyes' Wells now doubtful for Saturday's game at USC

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State coach Jim Tressel says it's doubtful that starting tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells will play Saturday night against top-ranked USC.

Wells injured his right foot in the No. 5 Buckeyes' opener against Youngstown State, did not play last week against Ohio and has not had contact in partial practices this week.

Tressel said Tuesday that Wells would play in Saturday's game at USC after missing last week's game with an injury to his right big toe. He said how much Wells would play would depend on his progress in practice.

But Tressel said Thursday there was lingering soreness for Wells after he worked out the night before. Wells did not practice with the team Thursday morning.

Tressel said team officials would monitor Wells' condition before deciding whether to rule him out for the game in Los Angeles.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

The Buckeyes are in trouble. My Bobcats almost took them out... I can't imagine how they're going to come back against USC w/out Wells.

well, hmmmm, i guess .

me no likey

James (and company), Todd, and the OL have to show up,...(they did before Wells got hurt).

I hope the Buckeyes shut Carson up...but its not likely. We can't beat them, not with our OL and Boeckman. Beanie will need to rush for 250.

I just hope we are competitive

I don't follow college football all that much, but this game is pretty intriguing. I would love nothing better than to have OSU go into their house and get the upset.

I feel bad for the Bucknuts. This was going to be a tough game any way... but with Wells out, I fear the worst for you... and no, the worst isn't getting thumped, contrarily, the worst might be losing a close game and being left to wonder... "If only...."

I saw that a lot of sports-books scratched the line on this game. That probably means word is out (from someone in the know) that Wells won't play or if he does, he's not going to have an impact on the game.

Not good news for OSU. Unless Pryor has a huge game in spot duty, I'm not sure how OSU even stays in this game. Their rushing attack was average against Ohio, surely not going to look better against USC's front 7 without Wells.

If I had to make a prediction I would say..... USC 31, OSU 13.

If history holds, Tressel will not let Pryor shoulder much weight, in the interest of a freshman mistake. Definitely agree, some spot duty.

30-20

Looking at Boeckmann's recent history in big games, I woud think Tressel should roll the dice and let Pryor take some snaps.

Its probably a good thing I'll be too intoxicated to remember this game.

But have faith, I mean no one gave us a chance against Miami in 02. On any given sun...saturday.

My bet is they have a "Tebow" package set up,...the point is, as talented as USC is, Ohio State will have to get the package unwrapped quickly.

Geez, you'd think it was the Browns playing in this game the way all you doom and gloomers are wallowing about.....

don't any of you see that this is nothing more than Tressel's brilliance at work?
the game with Ohio was a set up, meant to make everyone believe that the Buckeyes weren't worthy of stepping onto the Coliseum turf with the Trojans.

the Bucks have other good running backs and don't be surprised if T Pryor sees more playing time because of Beanie's health.

the key to this game for OSU is pressure/hits on Sanchez, if they can get to him the Bucks win.

Go Bucks!

Article from Rivals.com Interesting

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=848896


Rivals.com Staff



CONFERENCE PREVIEWS: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC


At the College Football Roundtable each week, we ask each member of the coverage staff for their opinion about a topic in the sport.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Can you see Ohio State and USC meeting again this season in the national title game?


TERRY BOWDEN



Pete Carroll and USC could possibly play for the national title even with a loss to Ohio State on Saturday.
Absolutely. I have said repeatedly over the years, including in my article on Aug. 12 "Spread the News," that when it comes to the question of who will play in the national championship game, it almost always comes down to one thing – talent. Coaching, scheme and strength of schedule are important variables, but no combination of those will be enough to get into the championship game unless you also are a talented team. And two of the most talented teams in the country (along with Georgia, Oklahoma, LSU and Florida) are USC and Ohio State. That they will play a close and exciting game this weekend and that Ohio State will win should keep them both in a position to meet again in the national championship game after each runs the table the rest of the way.


OLIN BUCHANAN

That would depend on who wins and by how much. If Ohio State defeats the Trojans, it could happen. Should USC rebound from a close loss (three points or less) to the Buckeyes and finish 11-1, it would have a good chance to reach the BCS Championship Game. Fair or not, Ohio State might not have the same chance. The Buckeyes already have the stigma of losing two consecutive championship games, and there could be voters out there who want to give someone else a chance. Particularly after last week's showing against Ohio U., a loss could be devastating for the Buckeyes' national championship hopes. A close loss (three points or less) might keep the Buckeyes in contention, but that cannot be assumed. After the past two years, a one-loss Ohio State team doesn't figure to get into the championship game ahead of many other one-loss teams from major conferences.


TOM DIENHART

Without a doubt, yes. The loser will have ample time to rebound from the loss and enhance its résumé. Thanks to the lofty ranking each team will bring into the game, the loser won't be punished by pollsters with a precipitous drop in the rankings unless a blowout occurs. Another thing: I believe the loser will have a terrific chance to go unbeaten the rest of the way. Are there other teams in the nation capable of going unbeaten or having just one loss? Maybe in the Big 12 and SEC. Still, the résumés of both USC and Ohio State could be better than the champions from either of those leagues. What's it mean? There is a tremendous chance we'll see USC and Ohio State play in the title game in Miami. And, frankly, I'd love to see it happen.


DAVID FOX

Last season, we saw our first two-loss national champion since 1960. I'm not going to doubt any one-loss team from a power conference (there are only four such leagues this season, apparently) in the national championship race. For the loser of this game to reach the title game, you have to assume the loss in Los Angeles will be that team's only loss of the season and that the winner stays in the top five. I once thought this would be a national championship elimination game, but after watching USC's and Ohio State's future opponents, I'm not so sure. The loser of this game will have plenty of opportunities to rise in the BCS standings. For USC, it means games against California, Oregon and Arizona State. The Buckeyes face Penn State, Wisconsin and Illinois. The conference schedule alone could put the loser of this game into the national title game, especially if the SEC and Big 12 champions emerge beat-up from league play.


MIKE HUGUENIN

If Ohio State loses, I don't think it's possible unless this season is like last season. If the Buckeyes lose, I think it will be almost impossible for them to get to No. 2 during the regular season unless there are a whole lot of elite teams with two losses. I think this is a case where the "perception is reality" idea carries the day. And the perception if Ohio State loses to USC will be that the Buckeyes again have showed they can't hang with the true big boys. On the other hand, I think USC could get to the title game if it loses – assuming it wins out and that other league champs lose late in the regular season.


STEVE MEGARGEE

Is a USC-Ohio State rematch possible? Sure. Is it probable? No. USC probably could afford to lose this game more than Ohio State. The Trojans would remain overwhelming favorites to win the Pac-10, but the fast starts by California and Oregon could give the Trojans enough chances to earn quality wins that would put them back into the national championship mix. Ohio State's national reputation has taken a beating – deservedly or not – after back-to-back losses in the BCS Championship Game. Ohio State still might have a shot at reaching the championship game with an 11-1 record, but the Buckeyes probably would fall behind any one-loss teams from the SEC, Big 12 or Pac-10 in the BCS pecking order.

If we lose, then we deservedly fall behind one loss teams in the Big 12, and SEC, not the Pac 10 though.-Unless of course the one loss team in the Pac 10 is USC.

41 - 10

USC

Book it.

Nor should they!

indeed.

Although, I don't see Ohio State losing. Rather, I see Ohio State winning 23-17

Agreed.

Actually, with OSU's showing against OU, I feel if they don't win this game, or at least play an extremely competitive game, losing by 3 or less - barring any unforeseens, they won't sniff the title game.

Losing big will mean, at best, a Rose Bowl for OSU, IF they win out after this one.

Beat USC big? They still need to win out. Beat them little, they still need to win out.

Hopefully not,...win BIG, they go back to top 2, where they would then have to be "un-sat" by a bunch of undefeateds--and there won't be many of those left once the SEC gets rolling. Same in the Big 12.

Win LITTLE (close) then they could easily get bypassed by such teams.

I'm just praying I don't miss this game because of Ike

IMO without Wells we have no shot... with a healthy Wells it'd be a close game.

i also have a feeling that wells will play on saturday. i think this whole thing is garbage. and it's not going to work. they won't get any added extra by waiting until the last second to say he's in...

but like i said, i'd rather have saine and boom in there, with the defense playing out of their mind, than have wells in there with the defense playing like they did against lsu...

just my opinion, though.

Doesn't much matter anyway. Beanie Boy or no Beanie Boy. Buckeyes are making a long West coast trip for nada... They don't travel well out to the West. Actually any sunny state recently for that matter. They will probably be compeditive in the first half.

You OSU fans know reading this right now what that sickening, worried felling in your gut means. It's OK, you'll probably will be able to get back in the hunt with your schedule.

USC is has better talent, is deeper, faster and better coached. They don't lose to over-rated teams that don't travel well at home. They don't lose at home much anyway.

I dislike both teams. But I'll be watching the game just to see the Big Ten choke again and OSU get handled.

I think this is a clever smokescreen by Tress. Well, I hope it is a plan to give USC a few different things to gameplan for. Still, with no beanie we have some great depth at running back and other weapons on the offensive side of the ball. Furthermore, Ohio State has a very good defense. Even if Beanie is out, the Bucks are not dead in the water by far. It will be a good game!!

GO BUCKS!!!!!!

Sorry salty. Most of what you said is true, but Tressel does not get out coached. You had a point, several actually, until you threw that in.

What a fair and balanced assessment!

I'm sure planty of the guys will be sneaking away from the reception to catch the game

I've already heard about some people who are.