Ohio State Football Probation: 1-Year Bowl Ban Stings Troubled Program

After numerous NCAA violations under former head coach Jim Tressel, the Ohio State football program has reportedly been placed on three years probation and will be banned from the postseason next season.

On top of this, the NCAA ruled on Tuesday that Ohio State must forfeit nine scholarships over the next three years, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

Tressel, who will receive a show-cause penalty (making it hard for him to ever coach again), allegedly knew several of his players, including former star quarterback Terrelle Pryor, received improper benefits last season and told no one about it.

In order for a school to hire Tressel, they would have to appear before the NCAA and potentially receive penalties.

Ohio State has already vacated all of its wins from the 2010 season and surrendered $338,811 earned through the team's appearance in the Sugar Bowl.

Athletic director Gene Smith didn't expect a postseason ban, according to the Dispatch.

It's a big blow to a program trying to turn things around after the recent hiring of former Florida head coach Urban Meyer. Now Ohio State won't be able to compete in the Big Ten Championship game or any bowl game following the 2012 season, Meyer's first season as coach.

Ohio State finished 6-6 this season after being ranked No. 18 in the AP poll in the preseason, a far cry from 2010 when the Buckeyes won the Sugar Bowl.

The loss of Pryor was evident in the pocket, but freshman quarterback Braxton Miller had success running the ball. The Buckeyes scored 25.1 points per game, 75th in the nation.

The Ohio State University has a ways to go before it rises from the depths.