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Buckeyes face bye week
The bye week comes at a time when the Buckeyes would likely prefer to
keep playing. Every team needs the physical rest a break in the
schedule provides, but these days Ohio State seems to find its best
psychological salve out on the field.
After six straight weeks of endless turmoil, suspensions on top of
suspensions, and a collective holding of the breath while they await a
final verdict from the NCAA infractions committee, the Buckeyes seemed
to land in some sort of sanctuary state when they faced Illinois.
The Illini were unbeaten and ranked, while the Buckeyes limped into
Champaign with three losses and little respect. Ohio State then pounded
out an old-fashioned 17-7 Big Ten win, hammering the ball on the ground
and playing great defense.
It was just like the not-so-old times.
“This game is a lot more fun when you’re winning and this game’s a lot
more fun when things are going your way a little bit,” Ohio State coach
Luke Fickell said.
With a showdown with unbeaten Wisconsin looming on the horizon, Fickell
took his team into the bye week with a different kind of mission.
“We’re going to make sure they understand this isn’t a bye or rest
week,” Fickell said. “This is a week for us to get better at what we do
fundamentally, as well as getting a little bit of rest, too.”
The getting better part is a critical priority, since after Wisconsin
the Buckeyes still have dates with Penn State and Michigan left to
play, plus other Big Ten meetings with Indiana and Purdue.
Fickell has toyed with some position moves, and jumped former scout
team QB Kenny Guiton ahead of fifth-year senior Joe Bauserman on the
depth chart, making Guiton the primary backup for freshman starter
Braxton Miller.
The Buckeyes are also attempting to resolve some ego issues at
tailback, brought on by the return of twice-suspended senior Dan
Herron. Some of the younger players who carried the load when Herron
was out seemed a bit miffed that the senior got the start at Illinois,
but entering the bye week, Fickell issued a blanket reminder for all to
hear.
“We’re looking at what’s best for this team right now,” Fickell said.
Nobody can argue with that approach.
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