After a long summer and an even longer two weeks, it’s finally here. This is the game we’ve been talking about since the minute the final whistle of the 2007 season came to an end. Even after the devastating loss to LSU, the fact that Ohio State would play USC early in the season gave us all hope that next year, we would be back. Just knowing that the Buckeyes would take on USC made us all secure in the knowledge that at the very least, we would be in the BCS hunt for the 2008 season.
And then came OU. Going into last weekend Buckeye nation was confident that we could beat USC. Our hopes were high that this would be the game that would seal bring the long sought redemption after the past two BCS championship losses.
Where once their was boisterous confidence, chaos reigns. At this point, nobody except the Ohio State players and coaches know what the Buckeyes are capable of. If they have the talent that for all intensive purposes they appear to have, we sure didn’t see it last weekend. From the fumbled snap to the missed extra point to the general lack of an offensive line, I don’t think any of us truly know what to make of this team. And I know for sure that down deep, all Ohio State fans are preparing themselves for yet another let down like they’ve had the past two years. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the poll on the Dispatches Buckeye Extra. At the time I write this, 45% of the Ohio State fans participating believe that the Buckeyes will lose by 14 points or more this weekend.
And let’s just take a moment to consider what we’re up against. While the Buckeyes were testing every possible flaw in their system, USC had just spent the first of two weeks studying film and running plays specifically designed for Ohio State. Also, don’t think for a minute that USC coach Pete Carroll won’t do everything in his power to solidify SC’s position as the top team in the country. They’ve seen too many close calls on making the big dance in the past few years. Add to that the fact that they are 35-1 on their home turf and you can get just a hint of we’re up against.
However, that doesn’t mean that the Buckeyes can’t put this one away. They to have been looking to this game since early January of last year. And there is no question that the Bucks played down to their opponent last weekend and were looking way past that little MAC school from the hills of Southern Ohio. The Buckeyes have the depth and the talent to match up with anyone in college football. The question is, can they pull it together.
To do so, they must put the OU game behind them. Don’t answer any more questions about it in the press conferences, and look past it just like they were looking past it last Saturday morning.
As much as I hate to say it, this game will influence the future of Ohio State football for years to come. If the Buckeyes can win and win big, they silence the critics. By beating the beloved USC, there should be no question about who is number one in the country and the BCS Championship game is theirs to lose. Even if the Buckeyes win a close game, by beating the media darlings in a hostile environment, they will have proven themselves worthy of the high rankings and hype they receive.
However, anything but a close loss and the Buckeyes will face way more criticism then they deserve. Any other team and it would be chalked up as just another loss. If the Buckeyes lose, it doesn’t matter how good they are, they will have trouble finding their way back to the national championship game for some time to come.
As much as I hate to say it, this is our national championship game. In today’s world where a mere Big Ten Championship is not enough, this is an all or nothing game.
