Ohio State has suspended starting quarterback Troy Smith for next week's Alamo Bowl game. The reason for the suspension has been described only in vague terms as "violating team and NCAA rules and standards." It is serious enough however, that Athletic Director Andy Geiger indicated that "the university has petitioned the NCAA for Smith's reinstatement for the 2005 season."
My assumption is that this is a grades or some related academic issue. Smith was coming off a brilliant performance in the huge win against Michigan a month ago, and this news really knocks the pins out from under the Buckeye football team. Here's hoping the kid gets things worked out so that he can play next year. For now, he has to live with the fact that he let his teammates down.
UPDATE 12/21: In this follow-up piece at Bucknuts.com, Coach Jim Tressel and Andy Geiger discuss the suspension. Now it sounds like more of an NCAA rules infraction, as Tressel referred to players sometimes getting "bad advice". They don't seem to be worried about Smith's reinstatement for 2005 or any NCAA penalties for the school as a result of this incident.
Posted by dan at December 21, 2004 01:52 AM