DaytonDailyNews.com

What's brewing today with the Ohio State Buckeyes:

Buckeyes buzz

This figures to be a busy week for the Buckeyes.

With a 3:30 p.m. kickoff at Michigan State on Saturday, Oct. 18, they may need to go around the clock to work on all they need to heading into their showdown with the Spartans. The loser will have a hard time winning the Big Ten title — maybe even a piece of it the way Penn State is playing.

Besides, the still-No. 12 Buckeyes have several notable things underlined on their to-do list after Saturday's sluggish effort in a 16-3 victory over Purdue.

"The way the defense is playing is satisfying," LB James Laurinaitis said. "But as seniors, we're perfectionists. There are things that we can correct and things we must do to get better."

The offense is the root of Ohio State's problems — and the main area of concern heading into this week of work. The offense didn't score a touchdown against a Purdue team that gave up 25 points to Central Michigan and 38 to Notre Dame.

Most people are pointing at the line. So are the guys who play up there.

"We have to understand that Beanie (Wells) can't just run over people," TE Jake Ballard said. "We have to open holes. We're not running the ball effectively."

Big Ten schedule

This Saturday's conference games feature Indiana at Illinois, Michigan at Penn State, Wisconsin at Iowa and Purdue at Northwestern. Surprising Minnesota (6-1, 2-1) gets the weekend off to savor its rapid turnaround from last year's one-victory season.

Coach Dantonio

Mark Dantonio, the defensive coordinator when Ohio State won the national title in 2002, is now the head coach at Michigan State. Most of the Buckeyes believe he has insight into how they play.

"Coach Dantonio knows us well," Ballard said. "And (TB) Javon Ringer will be very tough to contain."

— Rusty Miller, Associated Press