Ohio State Hit by the Flu Bug, Jaamal Berry's Debut May Cure What Ails Them

Just as it has at most college campuses this year, the flu bug has arrived at Ohio State. LT Mike Adams and Andy Miller are among "five or six" players reportedly sick according to coach Jim Tressel.

At this point, there is a good possibility that these players, most of whom haven't been publicly named, will miss Saturday's big game against undefeated Wisconsin.

Tressel said they they are keeping the sick players isolated from the rest of the team and keeping them hydrated and rested.

Ironically, their opponent, the Wisconsin Badgers, are not too far off of their own flu epidemic, where 15-20 players were unable to play in Week two against Fresno State.

C Mike Brewster was reported to have the flu last week but his symptoms seemed to clear up which allowed him to play against the Hoosiers last Saturday.

This news comes to a team which has sustained several lineup changes already in the season, such as Jermale Hines replacing Anderson Russell at S, and JB Shugarts filling in at RT for the injured Jim Cordle.

With the way the flu has gone around so far this season, it was only a matter of time before Columbus had to deal with the flu to some extent. At least at this point, the Buckeyes seem to be only slightly affected.

And the Buckeyes don't have time to relax with the physical Badgers coming to Columbus, sporting the Big Ten's highest scoring offense. Headlining this group is RB John Clay and one of the bigger surprises in the conference, QB Scott Tolzien.

One piece of good news for the Buckeyes could be the debut of blue-chip recruit RB Jaamal Berry from Miami.

Berry came into Columbus as the prize of the stellar 2009 recruiting class, but has been held back by a drug arrest and a hamstring injury.

Tressel said after the Indiana game that Berry could have played if he was needed, but that he is very close to 100 percent healthy. If that is the case, look for No. 4 to line up next to Terrelle Pryor and use his speed as another weapon for an improving Buckeyes offense.

The only thing that might keep Berry out of the game is Dan Herron returning from an injury that kept him out of the Indiana game.

But Tressel has been impressed with what Berry had done in the fall camps, and would like to see him get some playing time.

It will take time to see if the freshman from Miami is worth the hype.

Tressel and the Buckeyes hope to see as soon as Saturday if the youngster with 4.3 speed is the real deal.