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The Associated Press Updated 10:32 PM Thursday, October 8, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio — What's brewing today with the 2009 Ohio State Buckeyes ...

BUCKEYES BUZZ: Coach Jim Tressel began his Thursday remarks by saying "the beds are all full" in Ohio State's sick bay.

But then he had lots of good news on the illness and injury front.

First, the bad news: OL Andrew Miller, battling the flu, won't play against Wisconsin at home at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The Buckeyes are hoping he can return to practice on Tuesday.

Missing Wednesday's practice were DB Nate Oliver, OL Justin Boren, Miller and TE Jake Ballard, who is battling the flu for a second time in less than a week. Their status for the game remains up in the air.

Then the good news: OL Jim Cordle, expected to be out at another week or so with a foot injury, is practicing with the team.

"Which frankly surprises me," Tressel said. "I don't think we would put him in the game, but he may be back a week earlier than we thought, which would be tremendous for us."

Also, TB Dan Herron (sprained ankle) will play against the Badgers after missing last week's game — perhaps spurred to a speedy recovery by Brandon Saine's 100-yard rushing day.

And backup TB Jaamal Berry, who hasn't played yet this season, practiced two days this week before aggravating his leg injury.

"If he looks (on Saturday) like he did Tuesday and Wednesday in practice, you'd certainly consider playing him in the right circumstances," Tressel said.

BUSY BODY: Wisconsin RB John Clay stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 248 pounds. Not only does he withstand a lot of punishment, he also inflicts a lot.

In his last two starts, he's carried the ball 32 times each time. But he's not black and blue.

"I'm feeling good, just a lot treatment I'm doing, trying to get my body right," he said. "Everything is good though."

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Believe me, of all the plays in football, when we kick off, I'm not sure I breathe until the play's over. Because you never know how that can go." — Tressel.

NCAA TROUBLE: Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State's acclaimed WR, has been indefinitely suspended for lying to the NCAA about his contacts with a former NFL star.

Tressel said NCAA and university compliance people are constantly talking to the team about NCAA rules, agents, improper inducements and other matters which may affect their eligibility.

"You go through a whole laundry list of what you can do," he said. "You hope after they sat through those meetings over the years it becomes more ingrained. Sometimes it takes things happening, whether it's within your building or someone else's building, to really catch someone's attention. I don't know much about Dez's situation, but as I listen it's the age-old thing: The only defense is the truth. Above all else, even when you err, or didn't know you erred, that's a great lesson for everyone."

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October 08, 2009 10:00 PM EDT

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