CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- It finally gets real now for the Ohio State Buckeyes. The figuring-it-out portion of the schedule is over, as the defending national champions did more tinkering than many expected during the first 10 weeks. Ready or not, Ohio State's quest to repeat truly begins this week against Michigan State.
So how ready are these Buckeyes? How close are they to recapturing the championship form that last year propelled them to Indianapolis, New Orleans and, finally, to Arlington, Texas?
"We’re close, we’re really close, especially defensively," defensive tackle Tommy Schutt said following Saturday's 28-3 win at Illinois.