DaytonDailyNews.com

COLUMBUS — Ohio State safety Anderson Russell, who injured his right ankle against Kent State and was on crutches after the game, likely will play against Michigan State.

Coach Jim Tressel said the star sophomore will be held back in practice but added, "I don't expect him to miss a beat Saturday."

Middle linebacker James Laurinaitis left the Kent State game with a bruised hip, but his injury also isn't as serious as first feared.

"I expect both of those guys to be full speed and ready to go," Tressel said.

Ross Homan, who had been alternating with Marcus Freeman at weakside linebacker, will miss at least two more games with a toe injury.

No. 1 — again

OSU has held the No. 1 ranking in the national polls 17 times. The team's longest stint atop the rankings was a 15-week stretch from the preseason until the final poll in 2006. The Buckeyes have an all-time record of 64-9-1 when ranked No. 1.

South Florida No. 2

If the season ended today, the Buckeyes would face South Florida in the national-title game. And Tressel drew yuks when asked what he knew about the second-ranked Bulls.

"I saw them on TV one Saturday night against West Virginia — or was that a weeknight?" he said. "They're good. That's what I know about them. And I know they went to Auburn (and won).

"I have to learn a little bit because I have a vote, OK? And I haven't been the greatest voter in the past, admittedly."

Tressel suffered some embarrassment over the coaches poll last season when he said before the Texas game that he voted the Longhorns No. 1, but the staff member assigned to fill out the coach's ballot actually voted them No. 2.

Dangerous duo

Michigan State junior Javon Ringer is second in the Big Ten in rushing behind Michigan's Mike Hart, but the Dayton native isn't the Buckeyes' only worry.

Senior running back Jehuu Caulcrick, a 6-foot, 260-pound bruiser, is ninth in the league in rushing and complements the shifty Ringer.

"What I love about their backs is they have the Keith Byars-thing where they'll have a big guy that will pound you, and they have the smaller guy that will break tackles and do some of the other things," Tressel said. "Those are tough kids."

Tressel bemoaned the numerous missed tackles against Kent State. Pint-sized Eugene Jarvis rushed for 83 yards on 15 carries before sitting out most of the second half.

"All I could think of as that game was going on, once I was a little more relaxed, was that, 'Oh, my gosh, if Jarvis can do this, what's going to happen with Ringer?' " Tressel said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com