Long before the season started, a lot of people said they would hold off judgment on Ohio State until after the first five games.

That means a lot is riding on Saturday's Big Ten opener against Michigan State.

Suspensions, injuries, departures, a lack of depth and integrating in several freshmen have all added up to a mixed bag for the Buckeyes (3-1). To knock off a talented Spartans (3-1) team would mean they're headed in the right direction.

Interim coach Luke Fickell is pleased with where his team is so far, but also realizes that it has a lot of work to do.

A setback this week at Ohio Stadium could mean trouble for a fragile team heading into a tornado of a four-game set to open conference play.

Following the Michigan State game, Ohio State travels to Lincoln, Nebraska to take on the Cornhuskers. Then Ohio State is on the road at Illinois and home to Wisconsin.

 (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

It's been an eventful start for Ohio State. Now the fun begins.

The Buckeyes (3-1) survived the non-conference portion of their schedule with only one slip, a 24-6 loss at Miami.

Along the way, they discovered they could get by without three suspended starters on offense, including their best receiver and top rusher, while also sorting out a muddled competition at quarterback.

Now Michigan State (3-1) comes to Ohio Stadium on Saturday in the Big Ten opener.This is the first of a series of tests for both teams.

After hosting the Spartans, the Buckeyes play at No. 8 Nebraska, at No. 24 Illinois, have a bye week and then entertain No. 7 Wisconsin.

After the visit to Columbus, the Spartans have a bye week, then host No. 19 Michigan and Wisconsin before hitting the road to play the Cornhuskers.

Kickoff for the Ohio State Michigan game will be at 3:30 Saturday afternoon at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Freshman Braxton Miller will start when Ohio State hosts Colorado on Saturday.

The decision was announced by interim coach Luke Fickell on Thursday on his weekly radio call-in show heard on 1590 WAKR.

Fifth-year senior Joe Bauserman had started the first three games for the Buckeyes (2-1), but the passing game __ with Bausermanand Miller splitting time __ suffered in Saturday night's 24-6 loss at Miami. They combined to hit just 4 of 18 passes for 35 yards with an interception (by Miller), with all four completions going to running backs.

Fickell said he hoped the change might energize the offense. He said he felt Miller could handle the pressure, and that his running ability would be a big asset.

You'll be able to hear Saturday's Ohio State-Colorado game on 1590 WAKR beginning at 3:30 pm.

 (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
 

In the wake of Ohio State's ugly loss on Saturday night in Miami, this has been a week of reassurance and confidence-building __ particularly for the Buckeyes' freshmen.

The Buckeyes are now relying on their upperclassmen to offer guidance heading into the discouraged team's game on Saturday against Colorado (1-2).

In addition to cleaning up a lot of personnel issues and lingering problem areas in all facets, the Buckeyes also need to have their most experienced players show the way to youngsters forced by graduation and suspensions into playing pivotal roles.

After several years of being a national contender, Ohio State (2-1) is suddenly just another team coming off a disappointingloss.

Interim coach Luke Fickell has spent this week trying to reinforce to his team that they need to fight their way out of this low point.

Kickoff between Ohio State and Colorado will take place at 3:30 Saturday afternoon.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Coming off one of the worst passing games ever at Ohio State, Luke Fickell says he and his staff will decide after watching practice this week what the balance will be atquarterback.

The decision will be between true freshman Braxton Miller and fifth-year senior Joe Bauserman when the Buckeyes host Colorado on Saturday.

Neither was effective in a Saturday night's 24-6 loss at Miami. They combined to complete just four passes, all to backs, in 18 attempts for only 35 yards with an interception.

Miller also lost a fumble and recovered another. Fickell says no one on the team, including coaches, can afford to look past the game against the Buffaloes.

The Buckeyes, outplayed on both sides of the ball by the Hurricanes, fell out of the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time in almost seven years.

Saturday's kickoff between Ohio State and Colorado will take place at 3:30 pm. Next Saturday's game at Ohio Stadium, between Ohio State and Michigan State will also take place at 3:30 pm.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Ohio State is out of The Associated Press college football rankings for the first time in nearly seven years, ending the nation's longest streak of appearances in the Top 25.

Coming off a 24-6 beating at Miami, the Buckeyes dropped out of the rankings from Number 17 in the media poll released yesterday.

Ohio State had been ranked in 103 straight Top 25s since last being left out on November 20th, 2004.

Oklahoma remained Number 1 after a 23-13 victory at Florida State. The loss dropped the Seminoles six spots to 11th.

For the third consecutive week, LSU and Alabama flip-flopped at Numbers 2 and 3. The Tigers moved up to second after winning 19-6 at Mississippi State. The Crimson Tide slipped to third. Boise State stayed at Number 4 and Stanford moved up to fifth.

The Buckeyes play host to the Colorado Buffaloes this Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)