BCS chances unknown for Buckeyes

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Saturday’s loss not only ended Ohio State’s hopes of defending its national title, it made the post-season outlook for the team as clear as mud.

The Buckeyes are still in the running for a BCS at-large bid to play in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day or a return trip to the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2. The worst case scenario would have the Buckeyes playing in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando on Jan. 1 as the second-place finisher in the Big Ten.

The exact destination will not be known until the final BCS standings and bowl selections are announced on Dec. 8.

Following the loss, players took different stances on the different possibilities, but offensive lineman Shane Olivea said the Buckeyes deserve a spot in one of the major games.

“Oh yeah, it would be a shame if we’re not in the BCS,” he said. “We don’t want to play in the Outback Bowl or down there in Orlando. We feel we’re a BCS team even though we lost a tough game today.”

Quarterback Craig Krenzel said he did not even want to think about the bowl picture on Saturday and would concentrate on ending his career with a victory no matter where the Buckeyes play or who their opponent is.

Wide receiver Michael Jenkins said because the Buckeyes put together a 10-2 record with a tough schedule they deserve a BCS at-large bid.

Representatives from all four BCS bowls – Sugar, Fiesta, Rose and Orange – as well as members of the Capital One Bowl were one hand for Saturday’s game.

Charged players did not make start

The two OSU players facing disorderly conduct charges stemming from an incident outside Morrill Tower last week participated against Michigan but did not start.

Santonio Holmes and fourth-string quarterback/kick returner Troy Smith did not start because of the events during the early morning hours on Nov. 16.

Tressel said after the game that Holmes was not in the lineup as the result of an internal decision.

Andy Geiger, OSU Director of Athletics, said all the players involved did not start because of the incident and the time of day it occurred.

“That was a coaching decision, but all of the people involved in that did not start the game,” he said.

Holmes told reporters following the game he did not start because he was out after 3 a.m., but the coaches told him to keep his composure and he would get an opportunity to play.

Despite not being on the field for the first series, Holmes caught eight passes for 121 and two touchdowns.

-Compiled by Nick Houser