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''As we listen and our compliance people tell us, it's in step with case precedence in the past for violations of this kind,'' coach Jim Tressel said. ''Troy will take care of those things and be ready to go after another game's suspension.''
Ohio State had the opportunity to appeal the standard two-game suspension, arguing that missing the Alamo Bowl and all the festivities surrounding a bowl trip would equal a two-game suspension for Smith. Ultimately, Tressel said yesterday no appeal had been made, so Smith's return will come Sept. 10 against Texas.
He will, however, be allowed to participate in spring practice, which begins tomorrow afternoon and concludes with the Scarlet and Gray game on April 23.
Barring injury or a complete collapse, that makes Justin Zwick the starter again for at least the first game of the season. After that, it's anyone's guess.
''Obviously as we go into game one, Justin Zwick and Todd Boeckman will be the guys that you'll prepare,'' Tressel said, adding Zwick will get the bulk of the work with the starting unit this spring but that Smith will also get work with the starters. ''That's the way we'll begin. You have to have a beginning point and you never know how repetitions will turn out.''
Smith's return for the Texas game will leave Tressel with an interesting decision. Even though it will have been 10 months since he threw a competitive pass, will Tressel revert back to Smith or stay with Zwick?
Looking that far ahead is difficult, but Tressel said yesterday he'd have no problem using Smith against Texas, a team likely to be ranked in the preseason top five.
''It's like any other position,'' Tressel said. ''If he's healthy, I have no problem using him.''
Smith admitting he took money from a booster and his subsequent suspension have forced Ohio State to look at how it handles boosters and fans. As a result, one of the decisions of a newly formed committee designed to tackle the problem suggested including pamphlets to all season-ticket holders outlining what is and what isn't appropriate behavior for fans and their interaction with players.
''We've had those pamphlets for years,'' Tressel said. ''The impetus to distribute them more broadly probably has been on the heels of some situations and issues that we've had.
''It's part of ÔHow can we get better? We've got these pamphlets, well who has them? Let's make sure that not just the president's club has them, but that the season-ticket holder has them. I think it's just a response to doing better. And we spent significant time on doing that.''
D'Andrea update
Linebacker Mike D'Andrea (Avon Lake) will not have any contact during spring practice as he continues to rehab from a torn ACL. D'Andrea is listed as a senior in the spring media guide, but that could change.
Ohio State can petition for a medical redshirt for last year. By rule, a player can receive a medical redshirt if he plays in three games or less. D'Andrea played in four.
Ohio State spokesman Steve Snapp said the appeal for D'Andrea's redshirt will likely be made at the end of the school year.
