O'Dowd returns to USC offensive line

Updated: September 11, 2009, 6:58 PM ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- USC junior center Kristofer O'Dowd will start Saturday against No. 8 Ohio State (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET), though he won't be blocking for sophomore running back Marc Tyler.

Trojans coach Pete Carroll said O'Dowd will return after missing four weeks and the season opener with a dislocated kneecap sustained in an Aug. 17 scrimmage.

But Tyler, who rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown last week against San Jose State, will miss the Ohio State game with a sprained toe suffered in Thursday's practice.

With O'Dowd back in the lineup, Jeff Byers will move back to left guard for the game. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound O'Dowd earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors last season.

Adam Rittenberg covers Big Ten football for ESPN.com. He can be reached at espnritt@gmail.com.