Ohio State sent out a release today that athletic director Gene Smith will meet with the media at noon ET to "address NCAA rule violations."

Sounds like a confirmation. Not good.

Ohio State compliance officials have spent the last few days investigating possible violations that football players exchanged autographs for free tattoos at a Columbus tattoo parlor. Sources tell me penalties are likely, so it comes down to when the penalties are handed down and whether or not they affect Ohio State's matchup Jan. 4 with Arkansas in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Several Buckeyes players have addressed the speculation.

Quarterback Terrellle Pryor tweeted Wednesday night: "I paid for my tattoos. GoBucks." Center Mike Brewster tweeted earlier today: "For the record I got all my tattoos done in orlando at Hart and Huntington at Universal City Walk."

I'll have plenty more after Smith's news conference, so stay tuned.