ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- USC junior center Kristofer O'Dowd will return to the starting lineup Saturday night against No. 8 Ohio State (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET), though sophomore running back Marc Tyler will miss the game with a sprained toe.

O'Dowd has been out since Aug. 17, when he dislocated a kneecap during a scrimmage. Head coach Pete Carroll said after Friday's walk-through at Ohio Stadium that the first-team All-Pac-10 center will start against the Buckeyes. That means Jeff Byers shifts back to left guard for the game.

Tyler rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown on five carries last Saturday against San Jose State, but he hurt his toe in Thursday's practice. As we all know, USC remains stacked at running back and shouldn't miss Tyler too much against Ohio State.

The Buckeyes will have wide receivers Ray Small (illness) and DeVier Posey (ankle) available, and defensive tackle Dexter Larimore (legs) also should be fine.

Ivan Maisel is joined by Todd McShay, Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg and Pac-10 blogger Ted Miller to discuss the two biggest games of the weekend: Notre Dame-Michigan and USC-Ohio State.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Terrelle Pryor has garnered most of the attention this week, but Ohio State can't beat USC without a superb defensive performance, especially up front. USC boasts arguably the nation's best offensive line and unquestionably the nation's deepest group of running backs, led by junior Joe McKnight. Veteran Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Heacock has the challenge of trying to stop the Trojans.

	Jim Rinaldi/Icon SMI
	Jim Heacock has the unenviable challenge of trying to slow down USC's high-powered offense this week.

Heacock stopped by to chat about Saturday's matchup (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET), his new-look defense and who he needs to step up against USC.

USC obviously has a lot of weapons, especially at running back. Where do you start in preparing to defend this team?

Jim Heacock: You look at it all because that's what they are. When you talk about an offensive team, you can't zero in on any one area. They've got the receivers, they've got the running backs, and the offensive line is where it starts. They've got some athletic and experienced offensive linemen. The quarterback had a good game last week, they do a good job protecting him, and the running backs are well documented. Where we start is we've got to stop everything. You can't gang up on the running game or they'll get you, and you can't gang up on the passing game. They're about as balanced as you can get.

Your defensive line is one of your strengths. With their line being so athletic, so lean, do you go at them with speed? How do you attack a line like that?

JH: Well, our defense in general is fairly young, so it's not like we're going to make a lot of changes. At the back end, we're really young and at linebacker, we're awfully young. We're going to do what we do, play our defense, and you're going to hope you can match up. But we're not in a position, with our experience, to make a lot of changes. Our goal is going to be to execute.

How did those young guys grade out last week? Obviously, it's the first game, it's an odd opponent [Navy] with an odd offense. It's clearly a different test this week in many ways.

JH: It's challenging enough for it to be your first start, and then to have to face a disciplined approach from Navy, it was tough for them. I thought they responded well, they graded out well and did a good job. Unfortunately, at times, we'd have a mental breakdown or a physical breakdown. We'd go to the dive when we should have gone to the quarterback, all those things. But they prepared really hard for that offense and they played hard throughout the game. I was really happy to see the turnover with the two-point [conversion attempt] in a critical situation. It sets the tone, and hopefully you can build on it the rest of the season.

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Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

There will be many more starts and other big stages for Terrelle Pryor, who's expected to spend at least another season and possibly two at the helm of the Ohio State offense.

But make no mistake: Pryor's long-term legacy as Ohio State's quarterback will be shaped by what he does Saturday night against No. 3 USC (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET).

	Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
	Saturday's showdown with USC could prove to be a defining game for QB Terrelle Pryor.

There are no guarantees, especially with a loss to the Trojans, that Pryor will face another team of USC's caliber in his Buckeyes career. Sure, Ohio State's dominance of the Big Ten could continue, but Penn State seems to be catching up quickly in the conference. The Buckeyes begin a two-game series against Miami next season, but the U. isn't USC.

Let's not underplay what's on the line for Ohio State in this game. The Buckeyes need to change the perception that they can no longer win big games. They need to change the perception that they're just the best of a bad bunch in the Big Ten. They need to prove that a Big Ten team can compete with the squad that has done more to ruin the league's national reputation than any other.

For Pryor, this is a chance to prove himself as a complete quarterback and an effective field leader. He boasts the unique combination of size and skills that, if used correctly, could give the Trojans defense some major headaches.

"If he comes out and plays well, it could throw his name right in the middle of the Heisman race," Ohio State kicker Aaron Pettrey said. "It could definitely be a defining game for him, and hopefully he comes out and takes control of it."

Pryor saw the field against USC last year, but he couldn't do much to change the outcome. He was used in spots throughout the first half and showed good poise as a true freshman playing in a rough environment. But by the time he ran a full series late in the third quarter, Ohio State found itself in a 35-3 hole.

He took over the starting job the following week and endured ups and downs leading a veteran offense that had some strong loyalties to his predecessor, Todd Boeckman. After a strong offseason in which he improved his passing footwork and fundamentals, Pryor now leads a unit featuring many of his peers. Though Ohio State didn't name a season captain from the offense, the general sentiment suggests that this is Pryor's team.

"He's definitely taken ownership; that’s the role of the quarterback," senior right tackle Jim Cordle said. "He's more comfortable and obviously knows that all of us on the offense trust him and are more confident in him. There's a comfort level for him in that role."

Pryor created a stir last week when he paid tribute to childhood idol Michael Vick by writing Vick's name on one of his eyeblack stickers. The sophomore, who has been shielded from the media this week and throughout most of his college career, also took heat for some of his postgame comments.

Though the criticism seems excessive, Pryor is the type of polarizing player who will always find his way into the spotlight. He's talented and brash, saying in April, "There's some teams out there that are waiting for us, and there's teams that we owe some stuff to. We're just going to bring it."

Pryor no doubt included USC in his thoughts. Saturday night, he has the chance to back it up.

"He looks like he wants to win the game for us this week," Cordle said. "If he can beat USC, that’s obviously pretty defining."

	AP Photo
	Quarterbacks Terrelle Pryor and Matt Barkley will be the focal point for Saturday's Ohio State-USC throwdown.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg and Ted Miller

All eyes will be on Columbus this weekend as No. 3 USC visits No. 8 Ohio State (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET). Before the two teams lock horns on the banks of the Olentangy River, we debated several key questions heading into the mega matchup.

Adam Rittenberg: Ted, I look at this USC defense and don't see a glaring weakness. Still, several mobile quarterbacks [Vince Young, Dennis Dixon] have hurt the Trojans in the past. How do you expect USC to defend Terrelle Pryor and does Pryor give the Buckeyes a fighting chance in this game?

Ted Miller: I think Pryor gives the Buckeyes a fighting chance because he can make something out of nothing when a play breaks down -- and the USC defense is good at breaking down plays. While USC fans would debate you on the health of their defense vs. Vince Young, the fact is the Trojans learned from that game that you need to account for an athletic quarterback -- you can't just run your base defense and expect gap control and rush lanes to take care of things. There surely will be some sort of spying, whether with one guy or a shift of guys. On the plus side for USC, this is a really fast defense. It's much faster at linebacker than last year. Malcolm Smith is fast -- his brother is an NFL receiver -- and Michael Morgan is a 4.4 guy. Toss in end Everson Griffen and you've got some guys who can really run on the perimeter of the front-seven. Moreover, middle linebacker Chris Galippo implied to me that this will be more disciplined defense. As extraordinary as Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews and Rey Maualuga were last year, they, at times, freelanced, looking for big plays. That means the Trojans won't be as likely abandon their assigned gaps or let contain break down.

As long as we're talking quarterbacks, what do you think about the poise issue for both guys? USC's Matt Barkley claims he doesn't get nervous. You buy that at the Horseshoe? And how will Pryor react on this big stage?

AR: The Shoe remains the toughest place to play in the Big Ten, getting the slightest of edges against Penn State's Beaver Stadium. Barkley's nerves will be put to the test. It will be extremely loud, especially at the start of the game, and the south end zone addition really makes the decibels rise. I'd imagine USC will go to its strength right away, pound away with those tremendous running backs and athletic offensive line and give Barkley some time to get settled. Everything I've heard about this kid -- from yourself and other observers -- is that he's the real deal. I saw true freshman quarterback Tate Forcier show no nerves last week for Michigan in the Big House, but then again, he was playing at home. Ohio State's defensive line is the strength of the team, and it has to rattle Barkley early for the Buckeyes to have a shot. As for Pryor, he has shown some toughness late in games, particularly against Wisconsin last year. He's certainly more comfortable as a passer, but he can't get away from what makes him special and needs to make plays with his feet. I still haven't seen a team contain Pryor on the move, but he needs the freedom from head coach Jim Tressel and the willingness from within to really cut loose against USC.

Ohio State's defensive line is the team's strongest unit. Same could be said for USC's offensive line. How do you see that matchup shaking out, and will Ohio State need to use speed (Thaddeus Gibson, Cameron Heyward) rather than power to beat the Trojans' front?

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Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Ohio State is the team that can't win big games any more.

The Buckeyes are the team carrying the banner for a battered Big Ten Conference.

The Buckeyes are trying to rebound from three consecutive BCS bowl losses and a 35-3 setback against USC last September.

The Buckeyes have the more experienced quarterback (sophomore Terrelle Pryor) than USC (freshman Matt Barkley).

And the Buckeyes are playing at home, where their fans demand excellence.

So who has more pressure heading into Saturday's clash between No. 8 Ohio State and No. 3 USC in Columbus (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET)? Not the Buckeyes.

"As a human being, you never like anything bad being talked about you," Ohio State cornerback Chimdi Chekwa said Wednesday. "But we try not to focus on that stuff. We hear it, but there’s really no pressure on us.

"People don’t expect us to do well in these big games."

Ohio State finds itself as a home underdog Saturday night, an unfamiliar position for a team that is 39-4 at Ohio Stadium since 2003. You would think the sense of urgency for the Buckeyes would reach a fever pitch.

Instead, the lower expectations outside Columbus could work in Ohio State's favor Saturday.

"Recently, we've been expected not to do well in big games," Chekwa said. "I don’t know how other guys feel, but if somebody doesn’t expect you to win or a lot of people are doubting you, you go out there with nothing to lose."

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

After USC's Mark Sanchez had his way in a 35-3 victory last September, Ohio State's defensive linemen convened and made a pact.

The Trojans had won the battle at the line of scrimmage, leaving the Buckeyes beaten and bruised. Senior defensive end/linebacker Curtis Terry did the talking.

"He was really, really honest and put it all on the line," Ohio State defensive tackle Doug Worthington recalled. "We just had a heart-to-heart, so to speak, and just tried to decide what we wanted to do and what we wanted to be for the rest of the season. We kind of turned it around."

Ohio State ended up finishing in the top 20 nationally in both rushing defense and scoring defense, and finished sixth nationally in points allowed (13.9 ypg). The Buckeyes held Penn State's powerful offense to season lows in both points and yards, and limited Texas to just 24 points and 54 rushing yards in the Fiesta Bowl.

The Scarlet and Gray might have fallen short of its goals in 2008, but to no fault of the defensive line.

Ohio State's front four is unquestionably the team's strength this fall, returning seven of its top eight players from last season. The group has combined for 78 career starts, led by Worthington (23) and defensive end Cameron Heyward (21).

The line has drawn comparisons to previous Buckeye fronts in 2002 and 2003, seasons that ended with a national title and a Fiesta Bowl victory.

"Playing with those guys the last few years, being in practices, just hanging with them off the field, has been a great experience for me," said Worthington, a co-captain this fall. "I just know when I'm on the field, and I've got Dex [Larimore] to my right and Thad [Gibson] to my left, that I'm comfortable with those guys.

"It's just a level of comfort when you have a guy you know is very productive and wants it as bad as you do."

Ohio State needs the front four to be at its peak in Saturday's rematch against No. 3 USC (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET). The Trojans no longer have Sanchez, but they're extremely talented on the offensive line and boast an endless supply of running backs, led by Joe McKnight and Stafon Johnson.

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Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Terrelle Pryor's right arm and legs will go a long way toward determining Ohio State's success or failure against USC on Saturday (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET), but the space under the quarterback's left eye continues to draw more attention.

Pryor displayed his support for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick by wearing "Vick" on one of his eyeblack stickers during the season opener against Navy. The sophomore explained later that he has always looked up to Vick and looks past Vick's shortcomings off the field.

"Not everybody is the perfect person in the world," Pryor said of Vick. "Everyone does -- kills people, murders people, steals from you, steals from me. I just feel that people need to give him a chance."

The tribute and Pryor's comments have drawn some mixed reviews. Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel, who said he wasn't aware of the Vick sticker until told about it after the game, doesn't have a strict policy on eyeblack displays.

"It's a little bit tough in this country to have too much of a policy on personal expression, but it's unfortunate when that distracts from situations that were so extraordinary as the weekend we had," Tressel said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. "And I guess you'd have to know Terrelle like I know Terrelle. There's probably not a more compassionate human being in the world than Terrelle."

Tressel recalled how Pryor sent him a text message Monday night saying the team needed to provide a boost for junior wide receiver Taurian Washington, who dropped two passes against Navy. Pryor also sent Tressel a text after Ohio State's loss to LSU in the BCS title game, which read, "Don't worry about it, Coach. We're going to get it done in the future."

Though Pryor's tribute to Vick caused a stir, Tressel is confident the quarterback didn't intend to cause any harm.

"He's one of those guys that he feels terrible about anything that's not just right," Tressel said. "And I know he doesn't feel good that [the tribute] disappointed someone. And his intention would never be to make anyone disappointed about something.

"We all sometimes miss the mark, but as I say, teachable, learnable moment."

A few other notes from Buckeye land:

• Tressel said wide receiver/punt returner Ray Small looked better after a nasty bout with illness kept him off the field against Navy. An update on Small's status for the USC game will be provided Thursday. Wide receiver DeVier Posey is expected to return to practice in the next day or two after missing the second half of the Navy game with an ankle injury.
• USC safety Taylor Mays last month referred to Pryor as "the little deuce" and himself as "the big deuce." Both players wear No. 2. Tressel's response? "They're both big deuces if you ask me, man."
• Tressel called USC's return men "frightening."

Kirk Herbstreit previews Notre Dame-Michigan and USC-Ohio State.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

By any objective measure, Ohio Stadium remains one of college football's least hospitable venues for visiting teams.

Ohio State is 39-4 on its home field since 2003, the fourth best winning percentage in the country and easily the best in the Big Ten. Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel owns a 24-1 record against nonconference games at home. More than 105,000 fans routinely flock to the banks of the Olentangy River, providing Ohio State one of the best home-field advantages in all of college sports.

	Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
	Jim Tressel's Buckeyes need to figure out their big game woes before USC comes to town.

But as No. 3 USC prepares to visit Columbus on Saturday night (ESPN, 8 p.m.), The Shoe could use a little polish. So could Ohio State's performance in big nonconference games.

Ohio State has stumbled at home in three of the last four years, and three of its four home losses since 2003 have come against top 15 opponents (Wisconsin, Texas, Penn State). Beginning with the 2006 BCS title game, Ohio State has dropped five consecutive games against top 5 teams, including three by 14 points or more.

"We talked about it to a certain extent," senior defensive tackle Doug Worthington said. "We lost a couple big bowl games and the game against [USC] last year, so it’s in our minds about these huge games.

"But it's a new year."

A new year has been the rallying cry for both Ohio State and the Big Ten, which needs to repair a damaged national reputation. Since Penn State might not play a ranked team until November, Ohio State's performance against USC will shape Big Ten perception for much of the fall.

While pundits belabor the Buckeyes' big-game struggles, head coach Jim Tressel isn't planning to bring up the subject this week because, quite frankly, most of his players can't relate.

"We’ve got so many guys who haven’t played in those games," Tressel said. "That’s not a vantage point that resonates with them. We focus primarily on, ‘Here’s who we are and here’s the things that we have to do within the confines of our offense and defense and special teams and so forth. If we can do those successfully, we’ll have a chance to be victorious.'

"Sometimes, if you start talking about history, those that can’t feel it, I’m not sure you’re gaining much with that.”

The Big Ten's recent history against USC can be felt from State College to Champaign. And it doesn't feel good.

USC owns a nine-game win streak against the Big Ten, stretching back to 1996. Eight of those losses have come by 14 points or more, including each of the last seven.

The good news for Ohio State is the league's last eight losses to USC took place on the road or at neutral sites. USC hasn't won on Big Ten soil since crushing Illinois 55-3 in 1996. Then again, the Trojans aren't afraid of the road.

Could 105,000 plus decked out in scarlet change USC's road fortunes?

"The fans are going to be there; they’re going to be loud and [they'll] be behind us," Ohio State running back Dan Herron said. "But this game is going to be extremely crazy. People want to see us beat USC and we’re going to do all we can.”

Tressel expects an electric atmosphere Saturday night, but he knows Ohio State's 12th man can only be a factor if the 11 on the field are doing their jobs.

"If we start counting on the crowd to make a difference for us, we’re looking at the wrong things," he said. "What’s going to be most important is how well we block and tackle and throw and catch and defend. But there’s something special about playing at home. There’s something special about playing on the national stage. Every one of us is excited to do that."