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Football
Two-Minute Drill: Fickell’s Weekly Press Luncheon
By Brandon Castel

COLUMBUS, Ohio — It’s officially Michigan Week in Columbus, which means everyone is a little bit tighter around the Ohio State facilities with a trip to Ann Arbor coming this Saturday.

Ohio State Head Coach Luke Fickell, his coordinators and a select group of players met with the media Monday to talk about The Game.

Injury Update

• Fickell called Sweat QUESTIONABLE for the Michigan game.

• Fickell said they don't know yet on LB Andrew Sweat. Doesn't matter what game it is when it's a head injury. If it was a bad knee or ankle, Sweat would be out there. Going to leave it to the doctors.

• Jim Heacock said they miss Andrew Sweat a lot because of his leadership.

• Heacock said they were already talking about playing Sweat and Shazier together before Sweat's head injury.

• Heacock said Sweat will NOT be a game time decision. Said they should know one way or another early in the week.

• Heacock said to his knowledge this is Sweat's first concussion.

• Fickell said DB Christian Bryant and WR Corey "Philly" Brown are QUESTIONABLE for the Michigan game.

• Heacock said that he believes Nathan Williams is going to try to come back next season, but hasn’t heard definitively yet.

Michigan Week

• Fickell said he won't mention the record or bowl game to the players this week. "It's about Michigan."

• Fickell said the team had the OSU Marching Band come out and perform during their Sunday night practice.

• Fickell does not see Ohio State as an underdog. "We think we have a great football team."

• Fickell said there is no more pressure than to win a Michigan game, whether you've won 7 in a row or lost 6.

• Fickell said the Michigan game is "what you're measured on."

• Fickell said that a foundation has been set for this week and this game by coach Jim Tressel.

Offensive Updates

• Fickell said he will tell Braxton that they don't need him to be superhuman, "just be who you've been."

• Fickell said he can remember Troy Smith's performance in '06, "but it's not like that was unexpected."

• Jim Bollman said Michigan’s defense is bigger, stronger, older and more experienced.

• Bollman insisted they have not forgotten about TE Jake Stoneburner.

• Bollman said WR DeVier Posey adds a big level of confidence to the offense.

• Bollman said he occasionally speaks to Jim Tressel, usually about a mutual friend.

Defensive Updates

• Fickell said Denard Robinson poses a lot of problems...has ability to keep plays alive by running the football.

• Heacock said Brady Hoke was trying to implement more 2-back stuff early in the year, but they're almost back to what they did last year.

• Heacock said a lot of plays were very, very good and a lot of plays were very, very bad. Been that way throughout the year.

• Heacock said Ryan Shazier has great explosion. Doubts there have been a lot of LBs here who have been quicker.

• Heacock said you really need 7 playmakers on defense...they've identified one in Ryan Shazier. Said he's going to be special.

• Heacock said he would love to have 8-9 seniors out there like they did last year. Can be more complex with them.

• Heacock said that John Simon is the hardest worker he has coached in his 40 years.

• Heacock said he thinks Curtis Grant would make a great rush end, but they aren't ready to push him in that direction.

• Heacock said Michael Bennett is going to be a really good player.

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