When you google "Trojan running backs", expecting to get intimidated, and yet you get some solid LOLverines material, you know it's gonna be a good day

Stopping the Run, not Barkley, key for OSU defense
Jim Heacock has done his homework: over the past three years, USC is 2-4 when held under 100 yards rushing. Unfortunately, both of those victories came against Big Ten squads: Penn State in '08 and Michigan in '06. Of course, in those games, USC had upperclassmen quarterbacks going berserk on iffy secondaries. USC will not have that advantage this time around.

Offensive line's struggles just 'miscommunication' that can be fixed: Ohio State Insider - cleveland.com
That means we'll be seeing massive improvements this weekend, then, yes? It's true though; while the line struggled last week, only once do I genuinely recall someone getting physically beat, and it was Andy Miller in the midst of an extended drive. Of course, he was still getting beat by someone from Navy.

'11 FL DB Lamarcus Brutus (Official Offer) - BuckeyePlanet Ohio State Forums
Florida DB was born to be a Buckeye.

Ohio State's loss is Kansas' gain
Remember Bradley McDougald, the 6-2 safety from Dublin who originally committed to Ohio State before the staff backed off? Well, he ended up at Kansas, and is now playing receiver. He caught 2 passes for 49 yards in his first game. Scuttlebutt says Tress wanted him at safety and only safety.

Deconstructing: Setting Terrelle Pryor free against USC's new D - Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo! Sports
Chris Brown from Smart Football's Ohio State O/USC D preview drinks my preview's milkshake

The Buckeye Battle Cry | 5 reasons Ohio State will beat USC
Optimists out there: read this for more ammo: Pessimists out there: read this if you need some talking down from the ledge.

Ohio State's Pryor faces defining game - Big Ten - ESPN
Ack, God. Why is his defining game the 2nd game of his second year on the field? I know this game means a ton for the program as a whole. But how can one know this is Terrelle Pryor's watershed game? How do we know his coming out party (cue gay jokes) won't be against Penn State in Happy Valley? Or in the bowl game? What if he has 500 yards of total offense against an improved Michigan? Why does it have to be USC? Can he not have a breakout game after this?

Twitter / Jake Stoneburner: @pryor2two
This isn't news, but a couple days ago, apropos of nothing that can be seen on the internet, Jake Stoneburner called Terrelle Pryor a bitch. Pryor's response:

@JStoney11 pussy u better go of on sc when I get u the ball I need six seven yards a pop from u

about 9 hours ago from TwitterFon in reply to JStoney11

To which I say: lol.

Also, here's Pryor to Troy Smith a little less than a month ago:

@TroySmith10 what up my nigg

9:23 PM Aug 18th from TwitterFon

I think it's safe to say our beloved quarterback raises the conversational bar wherever he goes.

Dee Miller: Look For Pryor-to-Posey This Season
This isn't quite news either; more of an analysis from ex-Buckeye receiver Dee Miller. I link it because this site's kind of a cool concept; a lot of well-known ex-college players have been brought together to share their insight on their teams, as well as others.

Three Big Ten coaches make top recruiters' list - Big Ten - ESPN
Fickell is one of them. You're telling me Bollman, with that hat fashioned from pure sex, isn't on this list? Outrage!

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : OSU notebook: Hines might replace Russell at safety
Dispatch states what everyone's been thinking the past two days.

OSU getting healthier, or not? (Blogging the Buckeyes)
DeVier Posey, Orhian Johson, Travis Howard, and Dexter Larimore should all be good for this week's game. JB Shugarts, however, has a boot on his right foot, and Taurian Washington has a brace on his right wrist. Both were probably only seeing occasional relief duty as it stands. Also: Ray Small is back in the line-up, and will see time at WR.