Danger WIll Robinson...

The internets can be a danger place, where rumors spread like wildfire. This past week some "insiders" began hinting on message board that there could be some trouble afoot in the OSU secondary. Of course, we neither spread rumors nor post premium content on the Big Ten Recruiting Blog, so we said nothing. Actually, we were hoping it would go away.

But some confirmation was provided late in the week when key players were held out of practice. Starting cornerback Donald Washington, along with safeties Jamario O'Neal and Gene Clifford were seen running at practice but not participating in drills.

Nobody know exactly what any of this means. Maybe the group of them broke a team rule and are being punished accordingly. But if this wasn't a minor infraction, there could be major implications for Ohio State's national title hopes. Remember that Washington and Clifford were already reprimanded for conduct unbecoming prior to the LSU game. Clifford was actually suspended for the game, while Washington was allowed to play.

Losing Washington would leave a large void at corner. Nickel corner Chimdi Chekwa is fast and decent in coverage, but his abilities against the run leave something to be desired. Redshirt freshmen James Scott and Donnie Evege are talented, but have no game experience.

O'Neal is a former starter that found himself on special teams and second string last year. he responded by playing with a great deal of energy, and he had a shot to displace starter Anderson Russell from the star position in the Buckeyes' five DB set. O'Neal is more athletic that Kurt Coleman or Russell, and many were hoping that this was the year that the proverbial light went on.

Clifford, for all his worldly talent, seems unwilling or unable to stay out of trouble. If this is a serious violation of team rules, he may be headed out. Either way, losing these players for multiple games would serverely diminish any dreams of beating USC and running the table.