Things to Watch

Roster Update
LB Andrew Sweat is still questionable, after missing the Penn St. game due to the concussion in the Purdue game. Safety Christian Bryant and receiver Philly Brown had apparent shoulder injuries in the Penn St. game. Both are expected to play.

Future Schedule
Although this isn't really something to watch this week, it is worth noting that the nine conference game schedule has resulted in a change in the non-conference matchups. The casualty from the schedule change is the 2018 and 2019 games versus Tennessee, which is something that didn't go over well in my household as we planned to attend both the game at my alma mater and the game at my wife's alma mater.

Urban Meyer
The newsletter went out last week before the Urban Meyer articles hit the blogs and eventually ESPN. I have stayed away from Urban Meyer speculation as I thought it was a bit premature. I understood that Gene Smith told Luke Fickell that the process would start at the end of the season, but I am starting to wonder if it is worth taking Gene Smith for his word. The entire tattoo/Tressel matter and the subsequent problems involving the charity and the overpaid employment was not handled well by Gene Smith. If Gene Smith went back on his word and lined everything up to hire Urban Meyer next week, then I won't have much faith left in Gene Smith making promises. Oh, and don't forget Gene Smith said that he understood the NCAA process, but it hasn't gone well and Ohio State continues to add to its punishment. At first we were told Tressel would miss two games, then he was going to miss five games, then he had to fire Tressel, then the entire season was vacated, then Ohio State had to give back the Sugar Bowl money, and then Ohio State lost scholarships. All that is left is a possible a bowl game ban, and there were hints this week that it may happen. It is amazing how impressive Gene Smith looked before this mess, but when the crap hit the fan he has not been the steady hand to lead the program out of the dark tunnel. Perhaps Gene Smith sees an Urban Meyer hiring as big moment to fix all the wrongs and take pressure off him, and perhaps Urban Meyer will be hired and have a lot of success. The Dispatch reported on Wednesday that sources indicate Meyer will be introduced as a head coach next week. I hope I am wrong, but I am not excited at the possibility of seeing a gimmicky offense at Ohio State. Folks may have selective memory and only remember this year's offensive struggles, and Tressel's pro offense wasn't always sexy but it won a ton of games, resulted in Big Ten Championships, beat Michigan on a regular basis, and provided trips to great bowls.