Ross didn't join his teammates for Saturday's win over Indiana, but he will be allowed to practice this week, albeit on the scout team.

''We're kind of sitting still because there have been no charges,'' coach Jim Tressel said. ''We're not going to sit around for a month waiting É The only progress we're making is that while his suspension may be still in place competition-wise, it's not still in place of not being with his teammates.''

Senior Maurice Hall got the start last week, but freshman Antonio Pittman is listed as the starter on this week's depth chart. Pittman rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown against the Hoosiers.

The loss of Ross could also mean the appearance of freshman Erik Haw, who originally was scheduled to redshirt. With fullback Branden Joe still hobbling from a sprained ankle, that leaves the Buckeyes with just Pittman and Hall at tailback. Should a third be needed, it would likely be Haw.

''Going into the game, we told Erik Haw that he needed to be on call,'' Tressel said. ''Antonio and Mo handled the day and that's the decision we made to not put Erik in. But every one of our guys that's redshirting has to understand that if something happens, they have to be ready to help the team.''

Title game

The Big Ten now has a title game. As in an officially sponsored title game.

SBC has bought the naming rights to the Ohio State-Michigan game with a two-year contract.

Each school will receive $265,000 this year and next and the game this November will be called the SBC Michigan-Ohio State Classic. Next year, the name reverts to the SBC Ohio State-Michigan Classic.

''This isn't about making Ohio State and Michigan football better, it's about making their athletic departments better comprehensively,'' Tressel said. ''It also gives us the opportunity to help people outside of the athletic department.''

Tressel pointed out how the football program helps fund Ohio State's 36 athletic programs and community outreach programs like Habitat for Humanity.

''Obviously when you help, you have to have resources to help,'' he said.

Injury report

Branden Joe is missing entirely from the depth chart, Tressel said because the ankle injury that kept him out of the first few games still hasn't fully recovered.

Brandon Schnittker is listed as the starting fullback, with freshman Dionte Johnson as his backup. Johnson played in his first game Saturday against Indiana.

Defensive end Jay Richardson is likely out for this week, while fullback Stan White Jr. is slightly ahead of Richardson, but also questionable for Saturday.

jlloyd@morningjournal.com