Clarett expects to play, but Tressel still unsure

The freshman running back needs 56 yards to break Robert Smith's freshman record.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Maurice Clarett promised to be in Ohio State's lineup against No. 12 Michigan. Whether the freshman running back will actually play Saturday is unknown.
Clarett has been struggling to recover from a shoulder injury that has limited his play in the last three games for the No. 2 Buckeyes.
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr was asked if he thought Clarett would play in Saturday's game against the No. 12 Wolverines.
"I'm too smart to expect that he won't," Carr said.
Before being injured, Clarett vaulted into contention for the Heisman Trophy by piling up almost 1,000 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns in seven games. After last week's overtime victory against Illinois, Clarett made it clear what he thought of the Michigan game.
"I wouldn't care if I was 20 percent. You're going to see Maurice Clarett on the field [against Michigan]," he said.
Clarett also missed a game early in the season after arthroscopic knee surgery.
The freshman's shoulder injury is described as a stinger. In games against Penn State and Minnesota, Clarett played, but ran to the sideline with his left arm dangling after taking a hit on his shoulder.
Clarett was not among the 15 or so Buckeyes who met with reporters Monday. Ohio State's practices this week are closed to reporters.
Coach Jim Tressel described Clarett's status this week as similar to last week when doctors and trainers said he could be available to play.
"I can't promise you that he will," Tressel said.
Expected to play
Tressel said he expected Clarett to play -- just as he expected him to play at Illinois.
"The trainers say that his strength is much better than it was a week ago," Tressel said. But, he added, the ultimate decision would come down to Ohio State's medical staff and Clarett himself.
After stringing together five consecutive games with more than 100 yards rushing, the shoulder injury has limited Clarett to 91 yards in the last four games.
With 1,071 yards this season, he needs 56 yards to break Robert Smith's freshman rushing record.
Tressel believes Clarett will play because the Buckeyes will have plenty of time to recuperate before a bowl game.
"We've got six weeks," he said.