OSU FOOTBALL Smith will carry Buckeyes' hopes against Purdue

The sophomore quarterback has led Ohio State to three straight victories.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Six weeks ago, Troy Smith was lost on the Ohio State depth chart. Today he is the Buckeyes' best and brightest hope for a strong finish. Smith swears he hasn't changed a bit over that span. The only thing he has changed is the way coach Jim Tressel looks at him.
After not even getting on the field in three of the previous four games, Smith is now 3-0 as the starting quarterback heading into Saturday's game at Purdue.
Now people are wondering if former starter Justin Zwick will ever get off the sideline again.
"Some of the same things were being asked six weeks ago about Troy's future," Tressel said. "All of a sudden, you've got an injury and a guy has an opportunity."
Zwick takes back seat
Zwick is now healthy after recovering from a mildly separated right shoulder that opened the door for Smith; Smith has since slammed that door shut.
Not only have the Buckeyes won with Smith behind center, he has grown in the role each week. Smith has completed at least 50 percent of his passes in each of the last four games -- something Zwick had not done in even one of the previous four games.
Smith, a shifty runner with a flame-thrower arm, has also added some creativity to a moribund Ohio State offense, running for 125 yards.
He also has won over his teammates with a quirky blend of cockiness in his own talents and humility whenever anyone mentions those talents.
Asked if he can believe how his world has turned upside down in the past month, Smith said, "I can believe it. I believe in God," he said. "Night in and night out I pray. God works in mysterious ways. Just being humble in myself and staying positive is the key."
Praises offensive line
The numbers don't tell the whole story for Smith, who constantly sprinkles praise on his oft-maligned offensive line.
"He includes everyone," said center Nick Mangold. "He'll talk to us as linemen the same way he'll talk to a receiver. It's how he engages with everybody that really helps him with his poise and with handling that leadership role."
Maurice Hall, who has grabbed the tailback job during the winning streak, said all Smith needed was a chance.
"It comes with working hard and having that confidence in yourself that once you do get that opportunity, make sure you're ready. That's what Troy's done," Hall said. "It definitely helps when you're playing. It makes you more comfortable. Troy has always been a great player. But he has that confidence even more now to show that he cannot just make plays in practice but in games also."
In the huddle, Smith has developed into an example for the rest of the Buckeyes. When the game is tight -- and most of them have been excruciatingly tight because of Ohio State's spotty play -- the sophomore from Cleveland is at his best.
"He has great poise," Mangold said. "He has a great sense of calm, of getting things done, of having the ability to get things done. After a big play you can see in his eyes that he's ready to make another one."
Being a leader is more than just making plays, however.
In the wake of Maurice Clarett's allegations of cheating against Tressel and his staff, Smith calmly defended Clarett, one of his best friends, without taking any shots at his coach.
Smith said he never knew Clarett to be untruthful, pleaded ignorance of any payments to Clarett or other athletes and said his primary focus was on getting ready for Saturday's game at Purdue. It was a graceful performance to rival anything that he might ever do on the field.