OHIO STATE Buckeyes expected to rotate two QBs

Justin Zwick will start, but Troy Smith will see time on Saturday.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- When coach Jim Tressel announced last week that Justin Zwick had beaten out Troy Smith for the Ohio State quarterback job, he kept an eye on their reactions to the news.
Suffice it to say that Tressel saw neither player react in a negative way.
"I've seen no difference in the way that Troy Smith is attacking things," Tressel said Tuesday. "Nor have I seen Justin Zwick go out and order a T-shirt saying, 'I'm the starting quarterback!' "
The No. 9 Buckeyes take on Cincinnati on Saturday in their 115th season opener.
So close is the battle between the two quarterback candidates that there is no time for premature celebration.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati's veteran quarterback, Gino Guidugli, is quietly confident as he begins his senior season.
"It would be a big win for the people of Cincinnati if we go up there and beat Ohio State," he said. "But we've got to look at it as just another game on our schedule."
Zwick and Smith, both sophomores, staged a spirited duel for the starting job since Craig Krenzel and Scott McMullen -- who dueled before them -- ran out of eligibility at last January's Fiesta Bowl.
Zwick and Smith will share time -- for how long has yet to be determined.
Tressel and quarterbacks coach Joe Daniels have said even though they would probably prefer to have a clear-cut starter at the position, they're not averse to letting both play until one has proven himself as the better choice.
Comfortable
The rest of Ohio State's players seem to share that feeling.
"I'm very comfortable with the quarterback situation," tailback Lydell Ross said. "Rotating was a good idea because they proved throughout the whole camp and the summer that they both can do a good job."
Zwick is a 6-foot-4, 225-pounder who was heralded as one of Ohio State's biggest recruiting victories in recent years when he signed out of Massillon's Washington High School.
He spent two years holding a clipboard and watching from the sidelines as Krenzel and McMullen combined to lead Ohio State to a 25-2 record. Zwick played in three games a year ago, completing half of his eight passing attempts.
He said he's trying not to dwell on what lies ahead.
"I've caught myself thinking about things a little bit at night when I'm at home, but for the most part I've been here for a couple of years and I know the offense," Zwick said. "I know what we like to do. I'm just going to try to stay confident in that and try not to worry about the rest too much."
Smith saw action in 10 games, primarily as a kick returner, although he did rush three times for 14 yards.
He was disappointed by the decision but will try to make the best of it.
"I'm going to practice what I preach -- and I've been preaching since I got here to do anything to help the team," Smith said.
He said he didn't know how much he would get to play.
"I'm as clueless as you guys," he told reporters. "Hopefully when my opportunity comes I'll seize the moment."
Tressel said even though Zwick will start and Smith will play, he has not decided on how much time each will see.
Supporting cast
Much of the quarterbacks' performance will depend on their supporting cast.
Zwick will be joined on offense by six other first-year starters: Roy Hall (split end); Howland's Doug Datish , Mike Kne and Tim Shafer (offensive line); Ryan Hamby (tight end); and Brandon Schnittker (fullback).
Conversely, Guidugli will be in charge of an offense that has only two fresh faces in the starting lineup: center Adam Shorter and either Brent Celek or Doug Jones at tight end.
"We've got a lot more experience than we did last year," Guidugli said of the Bearcats' 5-7 record in 2003. "Last year we had to break in a lot of new guys who were playing for their first time. This year we have a lot of guys back who have experience under their belt, and I'm really excited for the season to start."
Guidugli said he is not haunted by the 23-19 loss in 2002 that helped prime Ohio State for its 14-0 run to the national championship. Cincinnati receivers dropped two potential game-winning passes in the end zone in the final minute of that game.
"There's not really any feeling of unfinished business," Guidugli said. "We want to look good out there the first game and come away with a win. I think we're confident, as long as we play our game and eliminate mental mistakes and turnovers, I think we have a shot to win any game we play this season."