Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

NEW ORLEANS — Shortly before breaking for the holidays, Arkansas players learned during a team meeting that five Ohio State players were facing sanctions for receiving improper benefits.

Imagine the disappointment members of the eighth-ranked Razorbacks (10-2) must have felt learning in that same meeting that none of the OSU five would be suspended for the bowl game. The multi-game suspensions wouldn’t begin until 2011, leaving the sixth-ranked Buckeyes (11-1) intact for the Jan. 4 Sugar Bowl.

Truthfully, the Razorbacks weren’t the least bit disappointed. Arkansas players and coach Bobby Petrino think they’re getting a great opportunity with Ohio State at full strength.

“We want them to be eligible for the game,” Petrino said. “When you get to a bowl game of this magnitude, you want ... their best players. I think we are fortunate that they are eligible to play."

Certainly some of the Buckeyes' best are among those facing punishment. Included among the players facing suspension next year are starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor and running back Dan “Boom” Herron, plus offensive lineman Mike Adams, wide receiver DeVier Posey and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas.

Herron has run for 1,103 yards and 15 touchdowns. Pryor has accounted for 3,333 yards of total offense and 29 touchdowns. Posey has 778 yards and six touchdowns for an offense that is averaging 39.4 points per game.

Arkansas players are satisfied with the ruling. Should the Razorbacks win, they don’t want an asterisk next to a victory.

Ohio State has been ranked throughout the season. The Buckeyes were in the national title hunt until a loss at Wisconsin and are in their ninth BCS game in 10 years under coach Jim Tressel.

Winning would be a significant step for an Arkansas program that has made great strides in Bobby Petrino’s three years. Before 2010, the Razorbacks had never been to a BCS Bowl since the system was implemented in 1998, and they are in their first Sugar Bowl since the 1979 season.

“They’re a really great team,” Arkansas senior offensive lineman Ray Dominquez said. “We’re just trying to put Arkansas on the map. The first thing to do is get ahold of this Ohio State team at their best.”

While the Buckeyes will have all healthy team members available for the bowl, it’s worth wondering if they’ll be all there mentally. Ohio State faces the scrutiny of the school and its compliance department. The guilty parties were asked to apologize at a public press conference and in a meeting with Ohio State great and two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin.

Additionally, all are juniors. They’ve got the option of leaving for the NFL and never facing suspension.