Ohio State Football: News, Notes and Updates Before the Season-Opener

Ohio State head coach Luke Fickell held his final press conference Tuesday before the Buckeyes open the season against Akron. Fickell discussed the depth chart (which sneakily lists the quarterback position as "Joe Bauserman OR Braxton Miller"), the latest injuries and more.

Click through the slideshow to learn everything you need to know before Saturday.

Fickell Switches Up Team Captains

For as long as fans can remember, Ohio State had three (or, for two years, six) team captains who represented leadership and integrity.

This year, coach Luke Fickell is breaking tradition.

Instead of having team captains, he will rotate every senior player and create game captains.

"I thought for right now, this year, it does a good job bringing a whole group of senior leadership to the forefront; it doesn't put anybody specifically to stand up in front of guys because they were elected or because whether it was a popularity vote or something," Fickell stated at Thursday's press conference. 

"...us as a coaching staff thought what was best for this team is to try to truly encompass the whole entire senior class to make sure they understand we need every one of them, that we're going to switch up and go game captains every week."

Fickell Clarifies QB Depth Chart and Announces Bauserman Will Start Saturday

When the Buckeyes' depth chart was released earlier this week, fans couldn't help but look at the coveted quarterback position.

"Joe Bauserman OR Braxton Miller."

Fickell dismissed the controversy at first, stating, "I'm not sure listed there how it is exactly with the 'or.' If we were taking the first snap right now, Joe would probably take the first snap.

"There are a lot of things that don't say 'or' on that depth chart, but are 'or.' I know the one you care about is the quarterback position. But we're trying to create competition.

"I think he's [Bauserman] done a good job. He's done a really good job through camp. I've been impressed with the things we've asked him to do and what he's done. Doesn't mean I've not been impressed with Braxton as well. That's why we've been impressed enough with him to list him in the 'or' category."

Fickell Does Not Plan to Spark Fashion Trends Like Predecessors

The Woody baseball cap. The Tressel sweater vest.

These trademarks set forth a legacy for the Buckeye community. On Thursday, coach Fickell was asked what he would be wearing on game days.

"Whatever my wife lays out," he joked.

"That's not something I've put a whole lot of thought into. We'll be doing signals from the defensive side, so usually we're wearing something black to make sure that the guys that are signaling are distinguished between the other guys and the sideline."

RB Jaamal Berry Is Questionable, Fickell Plans to Utilize Depth Chart

One face fans will most likely not see on the field is running back Jaamal Berry. Berry, who has been plagued with a hamstring injury, has not been able to practice all week.

Fickell is making alternate plans by giving reps to the other players on the depth chart.

"Those guys are going to get opportunities. How you take advantage of your opportunities will determine how many more opportunities you have.

"We know we need every single one of them. How many times they carry the football, we're not going to sit there and dwell on that. But how many times they run down on the kickoff or something else is where we're focused," Fickell said.

Fickell Is Confident QB Braxton Miller Can Handle the Pressure

While senior Joe Bauserman is indeed listed first on the depth chart, Fickell is still confident he can turn to freshman Braxton Miller when needed.

"Obviously, his abilities have impressed us all, and that's why he's here. Until you do it and perform, we'll keep our judgments to ourselves. We know he can do it. We know he has the ability to do it. Being able to handle all the situations is what's important.

"But if he hadn't done it in camp, he wouldn't be listed on there. And I don't know how much more you talk about it, but you understand that he's listed as an 'or' because we believe in him."

Redshirt Freshman WR Verlon Reed Will Start for the Buckeyes

On this year's depth chart, the No. 1 receiver slot has been filled by a redshirt freshman.

Verlon Reed will surely turn heads this season. Reed, using his quick hands and lightning speed, has impressed coach Fickell during training camp.

"From the way he blocks, the way he practices, the way he carries himself, he has really done an unbelievable job from the winter on," Fickell said.

"It's shown on the field, which is why he's in the position he's in. But he has a ton of ability. I don't mean that just as catching the football and doing the things that you might notice or the stats might notice."

Players Recognize, Discuss "Fickell-Ball"

Tressel-Ball was simple. Conservative. Frustrating.

Three months after Fickell took over, he is already creating his own version: Fickell-Ball.

"I think Fickell-Ball is a little less complicated, maybe, and it's a physical game. That's how he approaches us to play it," offensive lineman J.B. Shugarts said at the press conference. 

"He's an intense guy. He tries to simplify stuff more. He's always talking about effort, turnovers and toughness. And that's what we've got to do. We've got to be tough and give everything we've got an extreme amount of effort. We can't turn the ball over on defense. We need to create turnovers."

Buckeyes Plan to Send a Message on Saturday

All summer, Fickell has reminded the players they are, "men of action."

This Saturday, he wants to prove it.

"There's been a lot of talk, but talk is that. Our performance will be what we want to define us," he said at the press conference.

"Our actions, our performance on Saturday afternoon is what we want people to talk about. Whether we talk about it after the game, we have to do those things. We understand that. But we're hoping that our performance and our actions speak louder than what we say as words."