Just three weeks after a shocking home loss to then unranked Illinois doomed their title chance, Ohio State finds itself headed to New Orleans. In a season full of upsets, surprises and downright chokes, both Missouri and West Virginia lost Saturday to push Ohio State into the title game. They will face 2-loss LSU, the SEC champions who actually lost to Arkansas just one week ago. But pollsters were apparently unwilling to forgive USC for losing to Stanford, or Georgia for not winning it's conference. And with the current SEC media love-fest, LSU jumped all the way to #2 after beating Tennessee.
A few quick thoughts:
*Right now Ohio State is getting absolutely trashed in the media. To the extent that they didn't play a tough schedule...I'll concede. But like USC used to complain, it's not our fault that Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan all decided to suck this year. And it's really not our fault that when we scheduled the Washington series back in 2000 they were a quality team. Now they're a middle of the Pac 10 squad at best. Though they pushed USC pretty hard, which many people forget.
*It's also a bit frustrating that OSU is getting bashed given the craziness of the season. This was supposed to a rebuilding season, and OSU is only in this position because so many big name schools lost at least twice. Yes, good teams can have bad days and get upset. But if it happens twice, there's really not much excuse. OSU would not be in this position if USC or Oklahoma had just one loss. And it's not like Buckeyes coaches or fans are lobbying and crying and demanding we be given our due. OSU went about its business and happened to survive, perhaps benefiting from a softer Big Ten. But LSU lost to Kentucky and Arkansas, neither of whom were exactly great teams.
*Ohio State moved from one virtual road game to another. They looked headed to the Rose Bowl to face USC in their backyard. Instead they are rewarded by getting LSU in New Orleans, just 45 minutes from Baton Rouge. Oh well - can't complain until they start hosting bowl games in the midwest. Tourists would love a week-long trip in sub-zero temperatures to see a bow game...right?
*If stories about SEC speed and dominance aren't your cup of tea, you might want to just take a pass until the actual game. And then watch it on mute. Because of OSU's monumental failure as the favorite last year, this will be the prevailing opinion from now until January 8. Reasonable Buckeye fans are in somewhat of a dilemma - the team has achieved more than could be expected. But college football is a game of reputation and perception, and they need to win this game. A loss would be another big setback for the conference, who can ill afford it.
*Remember when I said Les Miles couldn't coach and we don't fear him? I still believe it. If Beanie can play healthy, the Buckeyes are aggressive on defense and Boeckman doesn't toss any A.J. Feeley-esque picks, OSU is going to win. Not for the coach. Not for the team. Not for the school. Not for the state of Ohio. Not for the Big Ten. But to rub it in Mark May's smug face.
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