Why Chris 'Beanie' Wells matters

Vegas oddsmakers are hanging on every announcement from Columbus about the playing status of star tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells. Realistically, we won't really know until Saturday. A preseason Heisman favorite, he was injured in Ohio State's first game and missed all of the second. It's not quite the same as the Patriots losing Tom Brady, but his influence  on his team could be nearly as important.

Most USC fans are actually hoping that Wells plays so that the Buckeyes have no excuses. No matter what happens, the Trojans have to be ready for him. Here's Pete Carroll explaining why he's such a force on the field:

I still think it's a ploy by OSU coach Jim Tressel: Beanie was healthy all along, and Terrelle Pryor will start at quarterback.

-- Adam

Comments

[Gerrrg]

If Beanie isn't in street clothes at kickoff, we'd be fools to think that he won't play, no matter what Coach sez beforehand.

Pryor won't get that much continuous time in the game - he'll get in there on short plays or a series here and there, but no way are they resting this game on a true freshman against a veteran defense. They'd just be killing his confidence after the 6th TFL.

My 2 cents.

[Buckeye Dave]

I think we need for a few things to happen to have a chance at beating USC in their own house and Beanie playing and playing well is one of them.

I can't see Senator Tressel sandbagging on this issue though.

[Jimmy B]

If you think Terrelle Pryor will start at QB then you obviously don't know squat about football.

[Adam Rose]

While I'm partially joking about Wells and Pryor, I wouldn't be surprised to see Pryor "start" at quarterback. Or as a tailback, slot back, or anything funky alongside Boeckman. Remember that starting is just the first play. That's not to say the whole game will be on his shoulders or that he'll get the majority of the snaps. I just don't put it past the sweater vest to do something that'll blow everybody's mind for a few downs.