The Associated Press

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois coach Ron Turner knows enough about Maurice Clarett to know he'd rather see Ohio State's freshman running back on the sidelines and out of uniform this weekend.

Turner isn't likely to get his wish.

Clarett, used sparingly the last three weeks because of nerve damage in his left shoulder, is expected to start Saturday for the No.2 Buckeyes (11-0, 6-0 Big Ten).

Even with the injury, Clarett is a major concern for Illinois (4-6, 3-3), whose defense has struggled against the run and is giving up 197 yards rushing per game.

So how much time has Turner spent preparing for Clarett?

"Too much. Too much to allow me to get some sleep," he said. "He's a great player. He's not played like a freshman. He's big, physical, instinctive - really a terrific football player.

"All the hype he's getting is well deserved."

Clarett, who rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns in Ohio State's opener, generated Heisman Trophy talk early in the season. That ended with the injury, which has limited Clarett to 18 carries for 91 yards rushing over the last three games.

Clarett concedes he hasn't been the same since. He was plowing over defenders early in the season, but says he's had to abandon that style of running, at least for now.

"I'm going to have to if I'm going to last," Clarett said. "The remainder of the season, I'm going to have to choose different ways to fall, not play as aggressive in certain situations."

That hasn't be easy for Clarett.

The 6-foot, 230-pounder had an operation after the fourth game of the season to repair torn cartilage in his right knee. Instead of taking it easy, he scored three touchdowns and rushed for 104 yards the next game despite having his knee stitched up at halftime after the incision opened up and bled.

"It's real difficult because when I get into the game I try to run over people or get some contact in," Clarett said.

With Clarett limited, Ohio State has looked vulnerable.

The Buckeyes sneaked by Penn State 13-7 when Clarett was forced to leave the game with the shoulder injury.

Last week against Purdue, the Buckeyes trailed by three points late in the fourth quarter and faced fourth-and-1 at the Purdue 37-yard line. Instead of handing the ball off to Clarett, quarterback Craig Krenzel threw a wobbly pass Michael Jenkins caught for the game-wining score with 1:36 remaining.

Clarett had 52 yards rushing on 14 carries against Purdue, and he hasn't had a touchdown in more than a month after scoring 15 in the team's first seven games.

Krenzel refuses to blame the offense's woes on Clarett.

"I don't feel that it's as much Maurice as just us executing," he said. "Maurice brings a definite element to our offense, but at the same time our lack of execution or lack of putting points on the board isn't due to him not being healthy."

Healthy or not, the Buckeye keep winning.

With Clarett spending as much time on the sideline as on the field, Ohio State has managed to stay in games by keeping the scoring down. The Buckeyes are giving up a conference-best 12 points a game while allowing just 77 yards rushing.

Still, their recent struggles haven't gone unnoticed.

"They're still a good team and we're going to have to bring our A-game to beat them," Illinois receiver Walter Young said. "But we're not scared of any team we play. They're no different."

INDIANA: The Hoosiers have been added to Washington's 2003 and 2007 schedules, Huskies athletic director Barbara Hedges announced. Indiana visits Washington next Sept.13 and hosts the Huskies on Sept.7, 2007.

MICHIGAN STATE: Spartans quarterback Jeff Smoker apologized for substance abuse problems that led to his Oct.24 suspension and shouldered some of the blame for coach Bobby Williams' firing earlier this month.

Smoker, who said he didn't fail a drug test, said he was suspended when he told Williams he had a substance-abuse problem and needed help. He entered an "intensive" inpatient treatment program and will continue to be treated for his problem for at least a few more months.

Smoker's absence only accelerated Michigan State's deterioration on the field. The Spartans (4-6, 2-4 Big Ten) were ranked 15th after a 2-0 start, but they lost six of their next seven games.

"I understand that I not only affected myself, but many other people through this situation," Smoker said.

SACRAMENTO STATE: Several Hornets players greased their jerseys with nonstick cooking spray on the sideline during their 31-24 loss at Montana last weekend, the Big Sky Conference said.

Before determining a punishment, the league and Sacramento State are trying to figure out how many players used the spray and whether coaches knew. Hornets athletic director Terry Wanless said he believes only three players were involved.

"We'll decide the penalty, depending upon who we find at the bottom of the pile," Big Sky commissioner Doug Fullerton said. "I think it's a serious ethical breach."

ETC: Maryland linebacker E.J. Henderson, Oklahoma defensive tackle Tommie Harris, Texas defensive end Cory Redding and Arizona State defensive end Terrell Suggs were announced as Lombardi Award finalists. The honor is given to the nation's top lineman or linebacker....

Maryland's E.J. Henderson, Oklahoma's Teddy Lehman and Notre Dame's Courtney Watson, were named finalists for the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation's top linebacker....

Former Ohio State linebacker Marco Cooper was sentenced to five years' probation on drug and weapons charges. Cooper, who was kicked off the Buckeyes' team in April, also was ordered to do 100 hours of community service and his driver's license was suspended for six months.