COLLEGE FOOTBALL Ohio St. in search of some offense

Craig Krenzel's status will be a game-time decision.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- With every offensive starter back from last year's 14-0 national championship, most people thought Ohio State would be a high-scoring powerhouse.
Instead, they've been a mammoth disappointment.
Offense -- or the lack of it -- has been the No. 1 reason why the No. 5 Buckeyes (3-0) have barely escaped with victories in their last two games.
"It's an embarrassment for us right now," tight end Ben Hartsock said. "We want to go out and try to become just, well, not the weak link of this team.
"It's frustrating for everyone on the offense to just go out there and not lose the game for us. We wanted to go out this season and really win some games and put some numbers up and we're not doing that right now. We've really got to try to figure something out."
Fortunate
After surviving six overtimes in their last six games, Ohio State continues to lead a charmed life, blowing a 24-7 fourth-quarter lead but pulling out a 44-38 triple-overtime victory over North Carolina State on Saturday. Everyone close to the program is aware that the string of good luck is being stretched to the breaking point.
"When you have five turnovers, as we did, and you win the football game, you need to consider yourself very fortunate," coach Jim Tressel said.
Ohio State has won its last nine games decided by a touchdown or less. The Buckeyes have come from behind to win in the second half nine times in a 17-game winning streak.
The Buckeyes are winning, but it hasn't been particularly pretty or particularly efficient.
There are problems in several key areas. The running game -- long Ohio State's trademark -- has been awful. Turnovers have mounted at an alarming rate. And the defense has been hurt repeatedly by dumb penalties.
Clarett missed
None of the players or coaches wants to admit it, but the Buckeyes badly miss Maurice Clarett, who was able to break tackles and turn a short gain into a long touchdown.
Last week his top two replacements, Maurice Hall and Lydell Ross, combined for 3 net yards on 17 carries in four quarters and three overtime possessions. Most times, they were snowed under an instant after taking the handoff.
"Everybody had a rough game," running backs coach Tim Spencer said. "It's a combination of everybody."
Ohio State ranks No. 100 out of 117 NCAA Division I-A teams in total offense (286 yards per game), is 93rd in rushing (102 ypg) and 80th in passing (184 ypg).
With the backs unable to gain yardage, defenses are able to tee off on quarterback Craig Krenzel. He has taken more hard hits in three games than he sustained all of last season.
Now Krenzel, 18-1 as a starter, has an injured right (throwing) elbow and the Buckeyes may have to go with seldom-used backup Scott McMullen against unbeaten in-state rival Bowling Green on Saturday.
Krenzel will dress, but whether he will play won't be determined until pregame warmups.
McMullen is likely to be Saturday's starter, assistant coach Bill Conley said Thursday.
Asked if Krenzel could start even though he hasn't practiced, Conley said, "I would say that right now, that's probably doubtful. We'll see what happens on game day."