Ohio State players celebrate

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

It might have been two days before No. 8 Ohio State’s biggest game of the season, but the Buckeyes still took some time off on Thursday to have a few bites of turkey and spend some time with relatives.

“It’s hard to make a practice day special,” coach Jim Tressel said earlier in the week. “But we’ll do the best we can.”

The Buckeyes, who take on rival Michigan on Saturday, practiced in the morning and then were served a full turkey dinner. They had the rest of the day off.

“The ones that are within an hour or two of here may have a chance to get home, take some of the guys with them, that type of thing,” Tressel said.

Defensive tackle Dexter Larimore’s family from Merrillville, Ind., came in to spend the day with him.

“My mom’s heart would be broken if she couldn’t see me on Thanksgiving,” he said with a grin.

Larimore’s roommate is offensive lineman Andrew Miller, from Washington, Pa. He would normally have gone home, but instead he joined the Larimores for a big meal.

“His parents are coming into town to our house, so we’re going to do that,” Miller said. “I’d like to be home for Thanksgiving with the family and all that and if I really wanted to be there I could drive 21/2 hours home and eat dinner and come 21/2 hours back. But I’ll get a good meal in.”

Cameron Heyward, a defensive end from Georgia, planned to don an apron.

“What am I going to do for Thanksgiving? I haven’t decided. Maybe I’ll cook something for myself,” he said. “During the bye week, I went home and we celebrated Thanksgiving at home. My girlfriend will be out of town. She’s got a couple of (volleyball) games. I’ll figure out something to do.”

Linebacker Brian Rolle’s parents were coming up from Florida to be with him. His mother knows his weakness.

“Me, I can eat cornbread any day of the week,” he said. “I love it and she knows that’s my favorite meal. She fixes a lot. And when she cooks, she cooks.”

Larimore felt bad for those who couldn’t make it home.

“Some guys aren’t going to be able to see their families for Thanksgiving, which is always hard on guys,” he said.

The team will reconvene on Friday to make any last-minute adjustments. They’ll spend the night on campus at the Blackwell before taking on their rivals.