OSU Heads To Fiesta As Underdog

For the fifth time in seven years, Ohio State prepares for a trip to Arizona. But for the first time since 2002, OSU heads to the Fiesta Bowl as a hefty underdog.

By: Jerod Smalley | NBC4i.com
Published: December 17, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio—For the fifth time in seven years, Ohio State prepares for a trip to Arizona. But for the first time since 2002, OSU heads to the Fiesta Bowl as a hefty underdog.

Texas stands as a 9.5-point favorite over OSU Monday, Jan. 5.

“This might be their finest team ever,“ OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday. “We’re playing one of the top teams in the nation and a class program.“

A couple of notes from Coach Tressel Tuesday:

- Freshman Nathan Williams had a hearing Tuesday to face shoplifting charges from an incident last week in Beavercreek. Tressel said Williams will not be suspended but will face significant team penalties (including practice and personal time penalties). His participation in Glendale depends on his performance under that punishment.

- This past weekend was a huge recruiting weekend for the Buckeyes as current players welcomed in high-school seniors.

- Practice will be lighter in nature through the week, picking up in intensity this weekend.

- Beanie Wells and Brandon Smith appeared on a Fox News show last week without permission and were punished with increased running drills Monday. Both will play in the Fiesta Bowl. Tressel said he expects Wells to be 100 percent health-wise.

- Six juniors filled out paperwork with the NFL to explore next year’s draft. Donald Washington, Brian Hartline, Kurt Coleman, Jake Ballard, Jim Cordle and Anderson Russell turned in paperwork. Beanie Wells did not need to turn in the forms, Tressel said.

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