By John Nestor

Columbus, OH

Ohio State still won't be at full strength when it heads to Miami Saturday for a matchup with the Hurricanes.

The No. 16 Buckeyes will have plenty of holes in the lineup due to suspensions and injuries that have mounted during the first two games of the season.

Ohio State (2-0) will likely have seven players suspended heading into Saturday's game at Miami.

Cornerback Travis Howard, safety Corey "Pittsburgh" Brown and running back Jordan Hall have sat out the first two games after they admitted breaking NCAA rules by accepting cash for going to a charity event in Cleveland earlier this year.

That incident comes on the heels of suspensions to other players for accepting improper benefits from a tattoo-parlor owner.

Running back Dan Herron, receiver DeVier Posey, left tackle Mike Adams and defensive end Solomon Thomas will be out for the first five games of the season for their part in the memorabilia-for-tattoos scandal.

That scandal cost Jim Tressel his job as coach of the Buckeyes and ultimately sent quarterback Terrelle Pryor to the NFL.

The Buckeyes are unsure of a return date for Howard and Brown and they may still be unavailable for Saturday's game at Miami.

Five of the seven — Herron, Posey, Adams, Hall and Howard — are would-be starters.

We're not going to dwell on it. We're not going to look at that. We never feel sorry for ourselves," Ohio state coach Luke Fickell said. "We're not looking for pity. It is. The next guy's got to step up. Adversity's going to happen whether it's a situation off the field or on the field."

 

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Ohio State Lacking Depth with Injuries and Suspensions