FAST FACTS:
- Washington and O'Neal were suspended for the first two games of the season.
- They may be able to return for the USC game; coaches will decide.

Ohio State University officials confirmed Friday junior starting corner back Donald Washington and senior secondary safety Jamario O'Neal were suspended for the first two games of the season.

That's the home opener and the at-home Saturday, Sept. 6, matchup against Ohio University.

Officials would not comment on reasons for the suspensions or when the two were notified of the suspension.

Washington and O'Neal both were at OSU Media Day Thursday.

Washington started 13 games for the Buckeyes last season.

O'Neal is a former starter and, according to the university's Web site, made 14 tackles last season.

Officials told Brockman Washington and O'Neal may be able to play against USC when the Buckeyes head to Los Angeles for the Saturday, Sept. 13 matchup. The coaches will decide, officials said.

Brockman also asked university officials about Doug Worthington's status with the team.

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The 20-year-old junior defensive end was arrested on campus late last month on charges of drunk driving.

Officials said Worthington currently is practicing with the team.

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"What a joke! Who's better than me?" James Laurinaitis answered.

It's the kind of banter and fun that goes on each year at OSU's team photo day. The Buckeyes took a day off from training camp practice to meet with their families and snap hundreds of pictures at Ohio Stadium.

"It's cool to see my mom and cousin here. They take all kinds of pictures," Beanie Wells said.

It was also the media's first chance to speak with freshman QB Terrelle Pryor, who's been senior Todd Boeckman's roommate at camp.

"I've been asking a lot of questions ... We talk baseball, watch ESPN and just chill." Pryor said.

Coach Jim Tressel says Pryor has shown flashes of his talent already in camp.

"Now we'll get a better idea what he can do when the bullets start flying, but he's interesting in helping us."

The Buckeyes have their first full contact practice Saturday.

At Ohio State, fullback still has a rather sizeable place and is one of the Buckeye's few question marks headed into the fall, NBC 4 Sports reported.

Coach Jim Tressel said the team might have an answer: Senior Curtis Terry appeared to be the man who'll get first crack at cracking linebackers' heads.

He's been a linebacker at OSU his entire career -- until now. In fact, he's headed to offense full-time to block instead of tackle.

"Our fullbacks don't play a ton, but with special teams we think Curtis can make an impact in his senior year," Tressel  said.

"I'm all about the team. I feel like I'm a defensive player, but we need a fullback," Terry said.

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The university has begun selling reserved spaces for recreational vehicles on the athletics department's Web site (www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com).

Officials said in a news release Wednesday that the change to a reservation system and assigned places is meant to improve the availability of RV parking and cut down on congestion. They note that in past years, RV parking passes were sold first-come, first-serve on the day of the game, leading to long lines of the big vehicles waiting for the lots to open.

The reserved RV spots cost $90 per game. Last year, the tailgaters paid $50 to park at Ohio State.

Some say it's an honor and a curse to be featured on the cover, but Buckeye fans are hoping to reverse the curse this year, NBC 4 Sports reported.

Ohio State's Todd Boeckman, Beanie Wells and James Laurinaitis make up the front cover of the magazine that will be sold in this region. Georgia, Southern Cal, Missouri and Florida make up the other covers.

The Bucks came in second in a Sports Illustrated preseason poll.

The team said they don't mind the hype.

"We have high hopes and expectations, Marcus Freeman said. "Hopefully that's a national championship at the end of the year."

"That's our goal," Alex Boone said. "We strive to get there."

Rounding out SI's top 10 were Oklahoma, Auburn, Texas Tech, LSU and Wisconsin.

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YOU'VE VOICED YOUR OPINION ... NOW, READ THE 4 BUCKEYE NATION COMMENTARY BELOW:

Sure, Coach Tressel's book is #3 on the NY Times best seller list (hardbound advice section) and Pryor's letter of intent probably sits framed and matted in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center (WHAC). And true, from a historic perspective, Boren's transfer to Ohio State created a new zest for OSU's rivalry with TSUN (That "school" Up North). The departure from double-A (Ann Arbor, of course) for Columbus caused quite a stir on fan message boards and amongst the college football sportswriters, many of whom have scribed articles depicting Boren as lazy or TSUN coach Rich Rodriguez as a poor leader of men. But Boren, due to NCAA transfer rules, won't be able to participate until fall of 2009, meaning he can't impact the rivalry ON the field until then. Check out a recent Sporting News article further chronicling the story of this Wolv...uh, I mean, Buckeye offensive lineman. Click Here

All things considered, 4 Buckeye Nation feels that the return of the core of Freeman, Laurinaitis, Boone and Jenkins was the top event. It was absolutely crucial in fostering the epic expectations on deck for the 2008 squad. The last time a group of players this dominant came back for their senior year was when...well, it has been awhile!!! One might hearken back to Michael Doss returning in 2002 to lead OSU to a national championship, or Eddie George in 1995 to garner a Heisman trophy and 11-2 record. In the modern era, OSU has had numerous players leave early for the NFL as evidenced by Vernon Gholston, Ted Ginn, Anthony Gonzalez and Donte Whitner over the past few seasons, which makes this 4some's decision as a unit curious but understandable. The NFL is by all accounts a job and can really take a physical toll due to the length of season (more preseason games, more practices, a longer season). Time will tell if this 4some’s decision will have the same results as Doss' did in 2002 – but this was the top Buckeye Football event in the off-season.

Don't agree with the commentary? Think it's right on target? Scroll down to post YOUR thoughts!

The Bucks are ranked third in the nation, and NBC 4 Sports' Jerod Smalley said it looks like a promising year.

But what is the team planning to improve on?

Smalley said Monday was an unusual start. Instead of the usual offense and defense practice, the Bucks focused almost entirely on special teams.

It's a special major emphasis for Coach Jim Tressel.

Given a chance to check out a few of the early moments of practice, Smalley reported all were present and accounted for and it was a healthy to start camp.

Of the 105-player roster, more than 80 Buckeyes passed every part of Ohio State's conditioning test. Impressive.

Smalley said one is likely to see some oddities when a team gets together for the first time on the field.

Such as when freshman star recruit QB Terrelle Pryor emerged for practice in a scarlet jersey.

Minutes later, players came out in their proper colors and numbers, and the focus turned to individual drills.

Later, the team focused solely on special teams. There weren't any offensive or defensive snaps.

A few players came into camp with health concerns, and Beanie Wells will continue to be cautious with his wrist and hand.

Barring those concerns, Coach said the camp's mission is to tap even further into the Bucks' potential -- together as a team.

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The Buckeyes are calling it envy, but it sounds like plain hate to some. Ohio State is an unpopular pick to return to the National Title game.

The odd thing? In college football, sometimes, popularity matters, NBC 4 Sports' Jerod Smalley reported.

The Bucks arrived for camp Sunday with two years worth of fuel.

This is part of football -- why we're here, said Marcus Freeman. We're not here to go through the motions. We're here to get better.

Two straight BCS title-game losses are leading some fans to root against an Ohio State return this year. And then there was Carson Palmer.

I didn't know we were hated like that, Alex Boone said. It's a sign of success.

Beanie Wells made a good point, too: Who cares about hate?

"The fans around here love us, and that's the most important thing right now," he said.

Smalley expects this year's camp will be rigorous.

One player expected this to be the most intense, testosterone-ridden camp.

NBC 4's Mindy Drayer spent some time with the players, too, and spoke to them about what camp means -- especially for those going into their senior year.

"Everybody asks that same question: Are you excited? And it's weird. It's like a mixed feeling. It's like nerves. Excitement. It's like it's that time of year again, Rory Nicol said.  

"No matter what I'm gonna have high spirits because this is the last time I get to do it. I guess the thing that's got me going right now is this is the last time I'm gonna be with all you guys."

Here's a quick fan's checklist for Buckeye camp: Monday marked the first real workouts and a special-teams practice.

This season's night practice is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18 at the Ohio Stadium.

The practice is open to the public.

That all leads to the season opener in 25 days against Youngstown State.

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Well then, NBC 4 wants to hear from you!! Starting Monday, when the OSU football team reports for fall camp, we will begin posting a weekly Top 4 poll question, with the central theme being all things Buckeye football.

4 Buckeye Nation will bring you the poll results on Wednesdays, along with commentary from NBC 4's biggest Buckeye fans…if you don’t agree with our commentary, YOU can post YOUR thoughts in our reader reactions!!

Check nbc4i.com frequently for poll results, commentary, and your responses!!!

The USA Today Coaches' Preseason Poll released Friday shows Ohio State as the No. 3 pick, behind No. 1 Georgia and No. 2 Southern Cal.  Ohio State and USC meet in Los Angeles on Sept. 13 in what's likely the college game of the year.

Oklahoma and Florida round out the top five.  Defending national champ LSU ranks sixth, followed by Missouri, West Virginia, Clemson and Texas to complete the top ten. 

The Buckeyes report for fall camp Sunday and start practices early Monday morning.  The season opening game Aug. 30 against Youngstown State kicks off at Noon.  

According to ESPN.com, the Buckeyes are the most hated team in college football.

Why?

The site listed Tressel's demeanor as one of the top reasons: his cool, calm and collected sideline attitude was described by some as cocky.

Ruiz said it's the latest chapter in what has been a year full of Buckeye bashing.

Granted, this poll was one man's opinion, Ruiz said. There was no survey conducted or anything scientific about it.

But it comes on the heels of Carson Palmer's tirade and several other publications that picked OSU as the team fans -- outside of Ohio -- love to loathe the most.

The common denominator?

All of the teams near the top of the poll have been extremely successful, which Buckeye fans expect to continue.

"It's expected," James Laurinaitis said. "Other schools get it as well. Whether you're praised or bashed on, you have to keep it all the same. Take it for what it's worth and keep going."

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Ohio State starting defensive tackle Doug Worthington was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving early Saturday morning and charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

Worthington's lawyer entered a not-guilty plea.

The 6 feet 7 inch-tall, 276-pound tackle, who will turn 21 August 10, started 11 games for the Buckeyes in 2007.

There still was no word on how Worthington's arrest will affect the start of the Buckeye football season.

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NBC 4's Mindy Drayer reported, and she said when the Bucks took to the field, the competition was fierce and there was some trash-talking.

It was football -- by video game. Thirty-six players took control – or controllers – to raise money the Kidney Cancer Association.

One by one, players were eliminated. DB Donald Washington was the last Buckeye standing – or sitting.

And, yes, Drayer said he made a big interception.

"How crazy is that," Washington asked.

Now, if the football Buckeyes can do the same thing in this year's real championship, Drayer said.

Click on the video on the upper left to watch the video.

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Palmer irked the Buckeye Nation by recently telling a Los Angeles radio station that Ohio State football fever makes him crazy.

The 2002 Heisman winner showed his Trojan pride Sunday with the comment "Fight on," a reference to USC's fight song.

As he arrived for training camp at Georgetown College in Kentucky, Palmer said he's not worried about backlash from Bengals fans who also root for Ohio State.

He says his radio remarks were in good fun but taken too seriously. He's still hoping to celebrate a USC victory Sept. 13, when the Buckeyes face Southern Cal in Los Angeles.

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Ohio State starting defensive tackle Doug Worthington was arrested at about 3:15 a.m. and charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

The Ohio State Athletic Department confirmed to NBC 4 that Worthington, who turns 21 years old on August 10, was arrested at the corner of Woody Hayes Drive and Cannon Drive.

The 6 feet 7 inch-tall, 276-pound tackle started 11 games for the Buckeyes in 2007.

Head Coach Jim Tressel is out of town and was unavailable for immediate comment.

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Boeckman, a fifth-year senior and returning starter, also knows he may have to similarly make room for highly touted freshman Terrelle Pryor.

"He's a special player, a special talent," Boeckman said on the second day of the Big Ten pre-season kickoff conference. "I haven't seen what he can do on the field, so we're looking forward to seeing what he can do on Aug. 4."

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel landed perhaps the top recruit in the country in Pryor, a 6-foot-6 dual threat out of Pittsburgh. Still, Tressel is confident the reliable Boeckman will lead this team, picked again to win the Big Ten.

"I think Ohio State is important to him and he's going to lay it on the line for Ohio State," Tressel said. "He did it as an 18-year-old and he's doing now as a 35-year-old, or whatever he is. That's why you root for him so hard."

Boeckman came out of tiny St. Henry in western Ohio, a football powerhouse in a town of just over 2,000 people. Tressel said they initially offered him a scholarship before his junior year in high school, in the summer of 2002, but later pulled back to pursue Brady Quinn, the Columbus, Ohio, native who ended up at Notre Dame. Boeckman ended up as a "grayshirt," entering school as a part-timer before enrolling full time in the winter of 2004.

His perseverance paid off last season, when he was first-team all-conference, led the Big Ten in passing efficiency and took the Buckeyes to the BCS national championship game in New Orleans, where they lost to LSU. Now he's had an off-season knowing that he's No. 1 on the depth chart and his confidence is growing.

"It's definitely different than last year," Boeckman said. "I'm more confident dealing with my teammates and more confident with my coaches. I think I can speak up and say things after what I've been through."

Boeckman has answered hours of questions about the situation, which could get sticky, but said he and Pryor already have a good relationship.

"Going through 7-on-7 (drills), he's been asking me questions, how to do this, how to do that," Boeckman said. "It's been helpful, and beneficial, for him."

Regardless of Pryor's potential, Tressel isn't ready to commit to any time-sharing under center.

"We always say, regardless of the position or what year someone is, you get as your work deserves," he said. "If Terrelle deserves to rotate in at quarterback (he will). The only little difference is at quarterback, there's a rhythmic thing to work out."

But it's not like Tressel hasn't thought about it.

"I'm as anxious as everybody to find out what it looks like," he said.

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At Big Ten Media Days in Chicago Thursday, the Buckeyes were voted to win a 3rd consecutive outright Big Ten title, with Wisconsin ranking second and Illinois third. It's the first time in recent memory that Michigan has been voted outside the top three.

Ohio State also takes home the top individual preseason awards. Running Back Beanie Wells was named the Outstanding Offensive Player, while senior linebacker James Laurinaitis was named the Outstanding Defensive Player for the 2nd straight year.

"It's good to know people think so highly of us as a team and a few of our individuals..." Coach Jim Tressel said. "Now we have to prove we're worthy."

OSU opens its fall practice August 4, with its season opener August 30th against Youngstown State.

Transit officials in Columbus are considering a proposal that would cut the cost of the parking part in half, from $10 down to $5. However, the round-trip bus ticket from the lot to the game would rise to $4, from as little as a buck last season.

The new park-and-ride pricing means one person going alone to a Buckeyes game would pay $9, down from $11 last year. But four people in a van would pay $21, compared to $14.

The head of the transit agency says there's no opposition to the plan among the board members who must vote to approve it.

Click Here to listen to the full interview and then scroll down to post your comments.

MORE: Behind The Buckeyes: Hanging Out With Alex Boone

UPDATE: Palmer issued the following statement on Tuesday in response to his comments regarding Ohio State and USC:

"I'm a Trojan all the way, and I was talking to a Trojan audience in California. I guess I got a little fired up, as all good fans will do. But I really do respect the Buckeyes, and I know their fans are passionate, too. I hope they all understand I'm just looking forward to a big game for my school against a very tough opponent, and that it's all in the good fun of a rivalry. You don't have a real rivalry unless both sides are great teams."

"Fore!" Boone yelled as he took a swing at the driving range. "Ah, see now you've got me thinking about camp," he told Ruiz.

At 6 feet 8 inches tall, the 325-pound Buckeye showed Ruiz that he should definitely stick to football.

"As bad as some people say it is, camp is actually a lot of fun," Boone said. "You're there with 105 guys -- just guys --and you're hanging out. You've got football all day then you just come home and play video games all night."

Despite all of the bonding he and his teammates may do at camp, they are all undoubtedly eager for the season to begin.

"It's a lot of fun, but, you know, the season is so much better," Boone said.

Be sure to check back to nbc4i.com for part two of Hanging Out With Alex Boone.

The network is taping a segment for its series Titletown USA, NBC 4 Sports reported.

The taping will happen at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Horseshoe. All Buckeye fans are invited to be a part of the background, a la college game day.

It's a contest to see which city is America's best sport town, and Archie Griffin will be the show's guest.

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Now Coach Jim Tressel has put his winning ways into a book, NBC 4 Sports' Omar Ruiz reported.

Ruiz said it's a tell-all book -- but not that type of tell-all book.

Readers won't find any dirty secrets, but will get a look into how Coach Tressel developed into the leader he is today.

It's called The Winner's Manual, and the title was taken from a booklet he gives to all his players before each season.

"It's humbling from the standpoint of you know you don't have all the answers. You reflect back: But there are books I've read that didn't have all the answers -- they had one or two. Hopefully, we'll have some things that will really help folks," Tressel said.

Tressel's publisher preordered more than 70,000 copies because he or she was so positive of its possible popularity. That placed Tressel's book at 50th on the New York Times bestseller list – already.

Tressel was eager to get back to work, Ruiz reported. His staff returns next week; the players are finishing summer school, including recently arrested Eugene Clifford. 

His publisher jokingly advised that he'd better have a good season to sell some books.

The coach said he knows expectations are high this season but also is confident the Buckeyes' experience will help them handle the pressure.

All proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Ohio State library.

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Authorities say the two were riding a Vespa motor scooter that collided with a sport utility vehicle at an intersection in suburban Bryn Mawr, Pa.

Thirty-two-year-old Dr. Rebekah Gee sustained a broken leg and other injuries and was hospitalized in fair condition.

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania had her husband, 31-year-old Dr. Allan Moore, listed in critical condition with abdominal and head injuries.

Rebekah Gee is Gordon Gee's only child. An Ohio State spokesman says she and her husband are the two loves of the president's life and he's hopeful both will make a full recovery.

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Bobby Hoying was one of 12 Ohio State athletes who were named to the university's Athletic Hall of Fame Wednesday.

It's hard for Hoying to believe how quickly those 13 years flew by, too.

"It still feels fresh for me," he said. I haven't been removed from the NFL that long.

Hoying was both surprised and honored, NBC 4 Sports' Jerod Smalley reported.

Among all the great quarterbacks in Ohio State history, Hoying becomes only the third QB named to the Hall of Fame.

Many of Hoying's career passing records still stand.

"They won't last long," Hoying said about his records.

"I feel proud to be part of a group of players who changed the identity at Ohio State. I played with some incredible players."

An Ohio kid, Hoying was a role model for current Buckeye QB Todd Boeckman.

Click on the VIDEO tab to the top left to watch a video interview.

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A non-accurate replica of the iconic Jim Tressel sweater vest is highlighted on the column -- but it's the text below it that is generating even more buzz.

The title of the column is The 10 Most Disliked Programs of the Past 25 Years -- and it doesn't have anything to do with not having a huge fan base.

The columnist, BabyTate, puts Ohio State on a list of programs like the University of Miami, Tennessee, Nebraska and the University of Southern California.

But read deeper -- BabyTate said it's the success of the teams that makes them disliked by everyone but their diehard fans.

It's a back-handed compliment of sorts and don't worry -- there is a place for Buckeye nation to make their voices heard.

Click here to voice your opinion on BabyTate's rant.

The author issued a response to NBC 4's request for further explanation:

"Woody's last season was 30 years ago so he failed to make the cut off. No doubt he would be a Top 10 of all time, except with the Clemson fans who have always thought he got a raw deal. Strange how things work.

There are requirements to be on the list besides being in the past quarter century. One is that the school must have won a national championship during the specific era listed. Bo failed to win a national title, sometimes thanks to his mentor (tormentor?) but Michigan is a different animal than Ohio State. The Wolverines seem to have a huge following in the south as well as the west and this might neutralize any ill feelings. Outside of Ohio State fans, I've never met anyone that disliked Michigan.

We researched the data base of all schools over the past 25 years that could lay claim to being disliked. The odd item was that Miami was respected and liked after beating Nebraska for the 1983 national title but after Bear Bryant disciple Howard Schnellenberger left to pursue professional opportunities Jimmy Johnson came in and turned Miami into the most disliked program in the era.

Attitude plus wins plus national titles= dislike or like depending on your point of view. Jim Tressel is a great coach and Ohio St is a dynasty. His Buckeyes are listed among the 10 because they win on the field but also, they've given their opposition stones to throw with the narrow wins on the way to the 14-0 national title, the collapse against Florida, and the seemingly helpless appearance they had versus the very mature looking LSU.

The Buckeyes take out Sou Cal this September, and they're looking at a 3rd straight BCS title game. This time, they have what it takes to make their case."

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