There is something fishy going on at Ohio State. The status on Beanie Wells has changed more frequently than I’ve been able to keep track of, the QBs have more to worry about than throwing interceptions, and the team is no longer a Big Ten favorite.

QB Controversy

Since the Illinois game last year, most Buckeye fans have been skeptical of QB Todd Boeckman, and to add fury to the fire, freshman Terrelle Pryor has looked very strong in the first three games of the season.

Boeckman, a fifth-year senior, has been quoted saying that he is not worried about Pryor taking his starting spot, and that he feels he is mentoring the highest recruited high school quarterback.

But after the dismal loss to No. 1 USC, one has to wonder: Could it hurt replacing experience with the skill of Pryor and the type of QB that he has proven to be?

With lingering questions at running back, having a QB like Pryor that can throw and run would be a great asset. Furthermore, Pryor has shown the nation that he feels just as comfortable out on that field as he did in high school, even taking hits from the powerful USC defense and jumping back up with his head in the game.

Boeckman took a huge sack in the game against the Trojans and was obviously in a lot of pain (and bandages), which led to his lackluster performance in the later part of the game.

In his press conference, head coach Jim Tressel hinted that Buckeye fans could see a new starting QB in the coming weeks and has said that Pryor received 65 percent of the first team reps during practice on Tuesday—partially because of Boeckman’s experience and physical condition, but also because Pryor has earned those reps.

It is looking to be a game of wait-and-see when Big Ten play starts after a game against Troy this weekend, when Ohio State hosts Minnesota.

Wells’ Status

As of Wednesday morning, Beanie Wells is still questionable for the matchup against Troy this weekend despite being listed as a co-starter with Dan Herron on the depth chart.

Wells has still failed to take part in a full-contact practice since his injury on Aug. 30 against Youngstown State.

However, the thing that has most Buckeye fans scratching their heads is that no one has said what is wrong with Wells’ foot, aside from the fact that he has lingering soreness and tenderness.

"His cutting work and push-off and more football-oriented stuff will begin again today," Tressel said Tuesday on the Big Ten coaches' teleconference. "If he can handle that, we can upgrade him from questionable to probable. If he can't, we'll leave him right where he is. He didn't respond well last week from cutting."

Missing the game against USC probably killed Wells, but it definitely wasn’t what killed the Buckeyes, who would have lost even if the star running back had been in perfect condition.

One rumor going around Buckeye fans is a possible medical redshirt for the junior back, who was the highest recruit in his class a few years ago. A medical redshirt would give Wells an additional year of eligibility, and there are some reasonable arguments in favor of doing this.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?