I don't think it will hurt too much.
At least, historically under Tressel the long layoffs haven't hurt.
2002, 2003 and last year all had 40+ day layoffs. Just ask Notre Dame :-)
It allows the center, Datish, to have his hand heal up. The 2nd fumble against Michigan (the one that rolled along the ground) was because he has an injury on the hand he snaps the ball with.
The injury situation is a factor. Perhaps some folks will be back who might not have been otherwise.
And maybe the layoff will be long enough for both teams that playing competitively for a couple more weeks doesn't really make much difference.
I don't know.
But at some point, more time off is a negative.