By Jon Spencer
(Mansfield, Ohio) News Journal

COLUMBUS - There's a good chance sophomore Troy Smith will replace the injured Justin Zwick in Saturday's lineup, so you'd probably like to hear his thoughts about making his starting debut for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Too bad.

You'd probably like to hear more from tight end Ryan Hamby, who said he was "embarrassed," or linebacker Anthony Schlegel, who said he was "disgusted," in the wake of Saturday's 33-7 throttling by Iowa.

Tough.

You'd probably like to hear Nick Mangold take his weekly crack at explaining why OSU's offensive line is having trouble blocking its own shadow.

Sorry.

In response to Ohio State's first three-game losing streak since 2000 and second 0-3 Big Ten start since 1943, coach Jim Tressel and his seniors have decided change is in order.

Apparently feeling that loose lips - not conservative play-calling or bad defensive schemes - sink programs, Tressel made only six senior players available to the media for Tuesday interviews.

Captains Lydell Ross, Simon Fraser, Mike Nugent and Dustin Fox, along with fullback Branden Joe and long-snapper Kyle Andrews, were the Buckeyes who met with reporters on the only day of the week designated for such get-togethers.

Normally, most players are available to conduct one-on-one interviews on the team's indoor practice field. Tuesday, the chosen few fielded questions while sitting together in a team meeting room.

"We talk all the time about leadership and how seniors need to have career-best years," Tressel said. "I enjoyed the fact these guys said, We're the captains; let us step out front.' That's a good thing. You have to respect that."

A more suspicious observer would say Tressel was implementing a gag order in the wake of OSU's current tailspin and the recent candor of some underclassmen.

Three weeks ago, when the now-unranked, 3-3 Buckeyes were 3-0 and No. 6 in the country, Smith complained to the media about his lack of playing time, suggesting he wasn't getting a fair shot.

Last Tuesday, freshman tight end Kirk Barton lent his support of Smith, strongly hinting that complacency had set in and that Zwick needed a competitive fire lit under him.

And after Saturday's debacle at Iowa, junior linebacker Bobby Carpenter questioned whether all of the Buckeyes were passionate about winning.

"I think right now it means more to some guys on our team than it does to other guys," Carpenter said. "That's not good enough. We have to find a way to make it mean everything to everybody."

Fox admitted the pointed comments of some younger teammates had something to do with the break in routine.

"As far as having some senior leadership and having seniors handle difficult questions, I think we'll do a good job of handling it," Fox said. "It's tough for young players in tough situations, with the controversy in the media. I think the seniors will do a better job in front of the media - and that's the collective agreement of the seniors."

Tressel denied that he was trying to zip lips. He also said schemes and play selections aren't the problem for a team that could be looking at its first 0-4 Big Ten record since 1922 if it falls at home Saturday to 15-point underdog Indiana (2-4, 0-3).

"I think it's more about the mental side, and toughness," Tressel said. "But it's not just a physical thing. I don't want you saying coach doesn't think they're tough. Toughness is a broad thing. Whichever play you run, whichever defense you run, you better do it with high velocity.

"When do you play your fastest? When do you play with the most velocity? When you know exactly what you're doing."

A source told the Canton Repository that Zwick may have suffered a partially separated right shoulder in the loss to Iowa and could be lost for up to three weeks. Tressel wouldn't reveal the extent of Zwick's injury other than to say he would sit out Tuesday's practice and be "day-to-day."

After Saturday's game, Zwick said he injured his shoulder on the first series and re-injured it when he got hit and fumbled on the second snap of the second half. Smith played the remainder of the game and led the Buckeyes to their only TD during garbage time against Iowa's second unit.

Even though he has lost three fumbles and thrown six interceptions, Zwick will start against Indiana if healthy. But Tressel said he wouldn't feel uncomfortable starting Smith, who is more dangerous on the run.

"That will be what your coaches are working on, trying to find ways to maximize the talents of (Smith)," Tressel said. "There are 10 other guys who have to be in concert with (him). But I don't feel it should be, If you have to use Troy ...' Shoot, let's go."