OSU Notebook: Gutcheck time for Ohio State’s linemen

COLUMBUS - Ohio State's offensive linemen aren't going to try to deny the obvious. They know they haven't been very good this season.

They voiced that opinion at a linemen-only meeting last Sunday night. Now, they'll see if they can turn words into action at No. 20 Michigan State today.

Tight end Rory Nicol made maybe the most pointed observations in the meeting, guard Steve Rehring said.

"Somebody had to step up and say it. The team starts with us, you can't get anything done unless the front six, including the tight ends, get it done," Rehring said. "If you look at last week's game, we didn't get it done. We didn't give the backs a chance to run, we didn't give the receivers a chance to run their routes."

Ohio State's offense might have hit its low point in a 16-3 win over Purdue last Saturday, when it didn't score a touchdown and gained only 222 yards.

Nicol said, "The reality of the situation is that we're not playing as well as we can. I challenged everybody to go home and truly ask themselves if they were doing everything they could to be as good as they could be. It wasn't crazy, there wasn't any yelling.

"We've got a young quarterback and talented receivers. If we can't give those guys time, it puts a lot of stress on the running game and the running back."

INJURY UPDATE: Two of OSU's three highly regarded freshmen offensive linemen will miss the rest of the season.

J.B. Shugarts (shoulder) and Mike Adams (knee) will not be able to return from those injuries.

"It's really disappointing for us, but it's part of the world we live in. That's a Big Ten season, that's a Division I college season."

Wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher, linebacker Austin Spitler and Nicol will be back from injuries on Saturday. Backup tailback Dan Herron will miss a second consecutive game because of a concussion.

SYMPATHETIC TEAMMATE: When defensive end Lawrence Wilson suffered a season-ending injury for the second year in a row, safety Anderson Russell identified with the situation.

Russell, who missed the 2006 season because of a knee injury, said, "I feel so bad for him because he has so much talent and potential and these last two years have been cut short for him. People haven't gotten a chance to see what he's really capable of. I can sympathize with that a lot, coming from where I have."

Wilson has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Last year, he broke his right leg in the season opener.

NOT THAT EASY: Tressel and Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio are long-time friends and Tressel's nephew, Mike, is an assistant coach for the Spartans.

It is not always easy competing against friends and family, Jim Tressel said.

"There's no communication the week we play. You know where your allegiance is, you know where their allegiance is and you're ready to compete. It's one of those games you want to get over with."