OSU's big back a perfect match for the big game

COLUMBUS - Ohio State tailback Chris Wells doesn't get lost in the crowd. It takes more than one person to stop him. And the more competition there is, the better he plays.

Those traits he displays on the football field could have been learned at home.

When you grow up in the middle of 11 children, you learn to tune out the crowd, make the most of your chances and battle for every yard or chocolate chip cookie.

Ohio State's junior tailback is one of six boys and five girls who grew up in a crowded house on Akron's south side.

He has delivered some of his best work in front of the biggest crowds at big games the last two seasons, most notably gaining 222 yards on 39 carries in a 14-3 win over Michigan last season.

After rushing for 140 yards on 31 carries against Michigan State last week, Wells is averaging 164 yards a game in his last six games against ranked teams.

No. 10 Ohio State (7-1, 4-0 Big Ten) will need more of the same from him when it plays No. 3 Penn State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) on Saturday night in Ohio Stadium.

So, does the 6-foot, 2-inch, 237-pound Wells have any explanation for his success when the spotlight shines hottest?

"I just love playing in a big game," Wells said. "It's something I'm made for. I like to think I'm made to play in big games."

Wells, of course, didn't play in the biggest game of the season so far when a foot injury forced him to sit out OSU's 35-3 loss at Southern California.

He missed three games after injuring his right foot in Ohio State's opener. But since returning against Minnesota, he has averaged 22 carries and 127 yards a game.

Even though he has been productive, he still has pain in the foot. "I feel OK body-wise but my foot is aching," he said after the Michigan State game.

Ohio State has to hope that pain continues to be tolerable. Without him, the Buckeyes don't have a tailback who creates problems for opposing defenses.

For OSU to beat Penn State, Wells will have to be productive on the big stage again.

And for Ohio State to advance toward a Big Ten title and keep its ultra-thin hopes for another trip to the BCS championship game alive, it will need Wells to pound away at a Penn State defense ranked eighth nationally, two spots ahead of Ohio State.

OSU will need more of the same things it got at Michigan last year, the same it got in the BCS title game against LSU (146 yards on 20 carries), the same it got in a 37-17 win at Penn State last year (137 yards on 25 carries).

While Wells has found individual success in big games, his team hasn't always done as well. In its three most recent big games - two BCS championship games and the USC game - Ohio State is 0-3 and has been outscored 114-41.

"It's always going to be there, that label that the Big Ten is weak. I don't think it is going to go away," Wells said. "I guess we are part of the reason because we lost two straight national championships."