The answers to fans’ questions are coming, but it is going to take some time.

At the weekly Big Ten luncheon at the Buckeye Hall of Fame, OSU coach Jim Tressel was looking ahead to Indiana and quarterback Steve Bellisari was unavailable for comment for the third day in a row since returning to Columbus.

A week ago Bellisari was the No. 1 starter, no questions or doubts. This week Tressel said a decision on who would start would come tomorrow.

This comes after backup Scott McMullen did not play in the 13-6 loss to UCLA, after fumbling a snap and throwing an interception in the win over Akron.

OSU center LeCharles Bentley and walk-on punter Andy Groom were in attendance, but questions centered around the controversy that has erupted since Saturday’s performance.

And for the first time in his OSU coaching career the heat seemed to get to Tressel.

“It’s a little blown out of proportion,” Tressel said about the attention given to the quarterback position.

Bellisari’s performance, 5 of 23 for 45 yards, has prompted many outbursts among the media and fans, but that does not worry Tressel.

“That shows they care,” he said.

When asked if there was anything like this at Youngstown State, Tressel replied “Yeah, but there were 200 (fans) in here, not just the elite (media).

“Our offense has to look harder at getting better at what they do,” he said.

In making the decision to start Bellisari or McMullen, Tressel said he worries about the person first and what it will do to the team.

“We keep in mind the person,” said Tressel, explaining his thought process in making the most important decision – to date – as OSU coach.

So what are the differences that Tressel sees in Bellisari and McMullen?

“If Steve holds the ball down and runs, he’s going to have a chance to make a big play,” Tressel said. “I don’t know if Scott will make more than a first down. On the other hand I think Scott has some ability from a quick release.”

In giving out weekly grades to players after each game, Tressel said that nine out of 10 guys on the team were given a good grade after UCLA, leaving Bellisari as the only one who didn’t.

But will it be Bellisari behind center come Thursday?

Tressel won’t divulge, but said in practice the guy in the huddle will be the senior and third-year starter.

“If I was Steve I would be in that huddle until someone told me to get out,” Tressel said. “I think that’s the way Steve would be.”

The comments and insults hurled at Bellisari have been plentiful and sometimes cruel. Tressel seems to sympathize with his position and can see a difference in his attitude.

“I’m not sure there is a more difficult athletic position in the state of Ohio,” Tressel said. “It’s harder to be the quarterback at Ohio State than for the Bengals or the Browns.

“I’m sure it’s tough on him,” he said.

Team Player

JaJa Riley, one of the three highly touted freshman running backs, red-shirted himself after getting little playing time in the Buckeyes first two games.

Tressel said the 18-year old came to him after the UCLA game and sat with the coach, telling him it would be better for the team if he stepped back.

Where in the world is Steve Bellisari?

Bellisari walked out of the Rose Bowl Saturday without talking to reporters and has not been visible since.

He was supposed to be present at a Monday evening press conference in Woody Hayes athletic center. Instead linebacker Joe Cooper was on hand to field questions about his quarterback. Bellisari was also a no-show at the weekly luncheon yesterday.

Thanks for coming

Bentley and Grooms attended the conference yesterday as player representatives. Each were asked two questions before the discussion quickly turned to the quarterback situation.