Would you have more respect for Ohio State coach Jim Tressle if he Benched the 5 players suspended for 5 games?

No. but to save face, he will allow them to play. The NCAA should have suspended them for the bowl, but the players weren't adequately educated. Really? This is college football where overall, less than HALF of the players end up with a degree at the end of their scholarship. Is that so surprising that the players were sleeping when the coaches were talking about this issue and sold their jerseys and rings?

I'm a Michigan fan and I already respect Tressel, but I REALLY would respect him if he sat those guys the entire Sugar Bowl because of what's at stake with it. It's not just about winning a bowl game--it's about finally beating a SEC team in a bowl game for OSU, helping the Big Ten's overall bowl record, knowing your team is probably going to lose if you don't have guys like Pryor and Posey out there and having actually been told by the NCAA these guys can play in that game but sitting them anyway. That would take huge courage for Tressel to look at all that which there is to lose and still sit those guys just because it's the right thing to do and/or because he is that disappointed in their selling incredibly valuable items like Big Ten championship rings and the gold pants received for beating Michigan. And to reiterate...the SEC thing is huge, and the Big Ten record thing is huge. Tressel knows this--I don't think a coach in the Big Ten knows it more. The Big Ten's record and image are the only reasons I want those guys playing (that was the first thing I thought about when I heard these guys might be suspended), but I would not be mad or outraged if they didn't play. Former Buckeye player Spielman, I believe, said he could see Tressel sitting them for a quarter or a half--even that would take huge courage, and I don't see it happening.

Like I said, they shouldn't be playing. If you don't value what it means to win at Ohio State, you don't need to play in the second biggest game of the season for OSU (Michigan is always #1, which they also don't seem to understand). And I don't care what the standard punishment is as far as receiving 4 or 5 games, whatever...it's NOT standard to skip big games and say, "Oh, we'll punish you next season, and when you might not even be here." Punishments are effective immediately, typically.

Are you kidding do you think Jim Tressele is Lou Holtz? Remember Lou benched all the starting backfield in the Orange Bowl for violations, had a whole 2nd string Offense and still won the Orange Bowl! Are you too young to remember that? Coach Tressle knows that Pryor may not come back next season if he does not play him. Pryor probably won't come back anyway. But that's Life and he will play all to the 5 players, Sey La Ve!

I can see both sides of the issue from Tressle's standpoint. He is a college football coach paid to win games. The NCAA handed down their punishment and he's not obligated to add anymore to it. I would certainly respect him if benched the 5 players for the bowl game. That would show a lot of integrity. Everybody knows that at least 3 of those 5 players can easily turn pro, get drafted fairly high and never see the light of that 5 game suspension

But college coaches are under tremendous pressure to win. Ohio State has a fanatical and demanding fan base. Jim Tressle is human. He wants to win and keep his job. I have to respect that too.

I have all the respect in the world for Tress the only people who think he is dirty are the people who are blinded by hate for the Buckeyes, all they have to do is follow his career and see he tries to do the right thing at all times. He might bench them, Auburn never benched Cam Newton, they discussed whether they should have or just keep him in because he is eligible and they kept him in. The fact is he might keep them out a half or part of the game but these players are eligible for this game.

I guess some people forgot they are getting 5 games this year when most teams only get 4 for similar infractions. These players are in the wrong there is no denying it but they sold items that were theirs to sell and they are out almost half of the season, they should get it knocked down a game or two with the appeal.

I wouldn't worry about it. The Buckeyes are playing an SEC team. Ohio State goes up 10-0 by mid 1st qtr, and the final score is Arkansas 35-Ohio State 13. Ohio State is the best thing to ever happen to the SEC!

Since he knows that it is impossible for "thuh" Ohio State to beat an SEC team in a bowl game he should sit these guys so he can have a valid excuse for losing this time. Otherwise he will have to use the home-field advantage excuse again.

First of all Tressel has no say in the matter! The OSU athletic department and NCAA both said the players can and will play. Tressel is just going through the motions and has had the team and its players ripped from his control.

First of all it was 5 suspended players. Second, It wouldn't matter if he sat them down the integrity is already compromised. He would not set them down .

The suspension is a joke. Pryor. and the rest who are draft eligible, are going pro after this season. They won't be around to miss any games next season. Its a travesty, a sham, a mockery, a traveshamockery.