COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The wait is over. It's opening week for the Football Buckeyes.
Ohio State kicks off things with a rare Thursday game where they take on the Marshall Thundering Herd.
The Thursday kickoff to the season means an altered schedule for Ohio State game week.
Head Coach Jim Tressel's typical Tuesday pregame news conference became a Monday news conference.
The Buckeyes open the season against the Marshall Thundering Herd at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Ohio State has not lost a home opener in 32 years -- not since 1978 when the Bucks lost a 19-0 game to Penn State.
"We've been out there long enough practicing ... We're excited to get out there for real," Tressel said.
Marshall is led by first-year Head Coach Doc Holliday and features an entirely new staff, leaving the Buckeyes a little unsure.
"We don't know exactly what they're going to do ... We don't have a great handle on them in terms of offense, defense or special teams. We expect they will try to throw it around a bit, but Coach Holliday believes in being balanced," Tressel said.
Marshall played at OSU in 2004 and nearly upset the Bucks, 24-21.
Tressel said, in his opinion, this Marshall team is more talented than the '04 team.
Tressel also spoke about the ongoing controversy concerning the future of the Ohio State-Michigan game but shed little light on his opinion about a potential change in the schedule.
"We've received a zillion e-mails about the future of our schedule ... What's most important, whatever we decide when we walk out of the room is that it's what we believe ... " Tressel said. "What I'm in favor of is what the group needs, but what I'm going to do is focus on the 25 seniors and the 2010 football team."
Tressel is marking his 25th year as a head coach and his 10th year at Ohio State.
"I was told coaches years are like dog years -- each year feels like seven." he said.
Injury updates:
DE Nathan Williams will miss the opener with his ongoing knee injury. Tressel said he should be fine to return for the Miami game next week.
Defensive backs Devon Torrence and Orhian Johnson will be fine to play, and senior Cornerback Chimdi Chekwa will be evaluated Monday.
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