NEW ORLEANS — A school that has won seven national championships, 31 Big Ten titles and seven Heisman Trophies doesn’t get a chance to feel slighted very often. So excuse Ohio State for wallowing in this rare air of reputed inferiority.
The Buckeyes are 11-1 and the top-ranked team, yet are 3-1/2-point underdogs against second-ranked Louisiana State (11-2), which backed into tonight’s Bowl Championship Series title game at the Superdome just like OSU did. Even if some critics believe Ohio State belongs in this game, they don’t necessarily think they belong on the same field with this opponent.
The Buckeyes aren’t fast enough. The Big Ten isn’t good enough. The Buckeyes’ fans won’t be loud enough. Or so the critics say.
“Yeah, for about a month straight all you hear is not only how you can’t win but how you don’t deserve to be in the game,” junior cornerback Malcolm Jenkins said. “So in the back of your mind it’s a flame that’s going off.”
That flame has burned for a month, and Ohio State coach Jim Tressel has done everything he can to fan it. Before the Buckeyes broke for Christmas break, he handed them a video that has become the most famous 10 minutes on film in Columbus since Ohio State’s two overtimes against Miami in the BCS title game of the 2002 season. Nearly everyone from our Woody Paige to two guys in a Dubuque bar ragged on the Buckeyes. Tressel told the Buckeyes to watch it and remember it. Then react tonight.
“So I watched the DVD with my grandma, right?” junior offensive tackle Alex Boone said. “She’s a crazy lady, but I love her to death. So we’re watching it and she was going off at the TV. I mean, 10 minutes of straight bashing us. I mean, someone is going to get (upset), right? My grandma is folding clothes and going nuts.”
The power of negative thinking? Tressel has seen the power of the pat on the back and prefers a slap at the ego. A year ago, his top-ranked and unbeaten Buckeyes strutted into the BCS title game as seven-point favorites and with so much positive press you’d think they’d enter the field on a gilded stage.
We all know how that turned out. Florida flogged the Buckeyes 41-14, making them look as slow as Midwest snowmen. Well, the Buckeyes are back against another speedy Southeastern Conference team without their Heisman Trophy winner and playing only 80 miles from LSU’s campus.
“Last year we were out there awhile and it was more like a vacation,” sophomore tailback Chris Wells said. “This year everybody’s taking it more like a business trip, like we’re down here for a purpose.”
Still, there are reasons everyone is so negative about Ohio State. If conferences were represented by cars, the SEC would be a Ferrari and the Big Ten a Buick. Which would you pay to ride in? In bowl games against the SEC, Ohio State is 0-8 — and LSU plays the same sort of spread offense that got the Buckeyes beat by Illinois.
Then again, this year’s speed question is perception. Despite Ohio State leading the nation in defense, the caveat is it compiled those stats in the moribund Big Ten. It’s a reputation Ohio State intends to dispel tonight.
“We have speed to match up against them,” sophomore safety Kurt Coleman said. “We’re very fast as well. We just got to be able to play our leverage lanes and be able to tackle in pursuit. We figure if one person can hold them down or make them move around, our defense will be ganging up on them.”
Ohio State’s two biggest problems? LSU is healthy and the Tigers practically are playing at home. Glenn Dorsey, the best defensive player in the country, is 100 percent healthy after damaging his tailbone, and quarterback Matt Flynn has returned after missing the SEC championship game because of an injured shoulder.
“You could count on one hand the amount of players in the country who would have tried to play with what (Dorsey) had,” LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini said.
Another concern is the Superdome, which became an indoor Tiger Stadium four years ago when LSU beat Oklahoma for its second national title. The Buckeyes are hoping their well-traveled fans will at least make it a neutral crowd. If not, they say, no big deal.
Tressel changed the Buckeyes’ preparation this time. They arrived five days later and are here only six days, treating it like a normal game week. The Buckeyes complained they were in the Phoenix area so long last season they nearly became registered voters.
Defensive end Kirston Pittman is the only Tiger to play in a BCS title game, while Ohio State has 10 starters back from last year’s game. Plus, six underdogs have won this game the past nine years.
Just to make sure his Tigers get some of that underdog mentality, coach Les Miles had his team watch “300” on Sunday night. He knows Sparta played at home, too.
Scouting report: BCS national championship
LSU vs. Ohio State, 6:15 p.m. Monday, KDVR-31
Five things to watch
1. Location favors Tigers
The Superdome is 80 miles from Louisiana State, 900 from Ohio State. Each school is allotted 16,000 tickets. You do the math. Four years ago here, LSU had a decided home-field advantage in beating Oklahoma 21-14 for the BCS national title. Check the crowd before the game to see whose fans gobbled up the most extra tickets, then check the noise level. If it’s pro-LSU, it will be very loud unless OSU gets the lead early.
2. Speedy DEs key for OSU
For nearly two months, the Buckeyes have heard how slow they are compared to SEC teams. Now it’s their chance to prove otherwise. Watch if they can beat the Tigers to the corner. Is OSU protecting quarterback Todd Boeckman or are the Tigers’ ends getting penetration? If the Tigers are decidedly faster, this could be a long day for Ohio State.
3. Wells carries Buckeyes
Ohio State will have to run the football with Boeckman not being a dynamic passer and throwing four interceptions and no touchdowns in his past two games. Chris Wells averages 121.9 yards a game; no other Buckeye averages more than 31. Unlike LSU’s deep, balanced backfield, OSU’s offense may go as far as Wells carries it. If LSU stops Wells early, Boeckman must carry the load. Not good.
4. Dorsey out to prove worth to pro scouts
A huge reason why LSU slumped defensively late in the year was tackle Glenn Dorsey, the Outland and Lombardi winner who had a painful tailbone injury. He’s 100 percent and playing his last collegiate game before moving on to the NFL draft as possibly the top pick. When healthy, he’s unstoppable. Add the dual incentives of a national title and showing off to NFL scouts on the ultimate stage, and he will be on fire.
5. Perrilloux capable
When starter Matt Flynn was banged up this season, the once-ballyhooed Ryan Perrilloux showed he was more than capable, including the SEC championship win over Tennessee. His legs remind people of Juice Williams, the Illinois quarterback who gave OSU its only loss. Offensive coordinator Gary Crowton has scripted 10 plays for Perrilloux and may use him even more.
Game plan
When the Tigers run
It’s tailback by committee with Jacob Hester’s 1,017 yards rushing leading seven Tigers who have at least 197. The 6-foot, 228-pound Hester, a former high school nose guard, is physical with underrated speed. Keiland Williams, almost the identical size, has star qualities. He led the Tigers’ 48-7 rout of Virginia Tech with 126 yards. Trindon Holliday and Charles Scott both average at least 7 yards per carry. But Ohio State ranks third nationally in rush defense at 77.1 yards allowed per game. The Buckeyes have given up only two rushing touchdowns.
Edge: Ohio State
When the Buckeyes run
Sophomore Chris Wells is big and physical, and at his best against the best competition. The all-Big Ten tailback rushed for 222 yards in tough conditions at Michigan, gained 169 against Wisconsin and had 133 against Penn State. The Buckeyes virtually have no one else. LSU led the SEC in rush defense (103.1 yards allowed per game). The only opposing back to top 100 was Arkansas’ Darren McFadden with 206.
Edge: LSU
When the Tigers pass
Matt Flynn is really smart and, finally, really healthy. He doesn’t have star stats. His 2,233 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 55 percent accuracy are only 75th nationally. But he has thrown for three TDs in four of his past five starts. Ryan Perrilloux, the nation’s top quarterback recruit three years ago, hit 40-of-55 for 541 yards, four TDs and two picks in starts against Middle Tennessee and Tennessee. Ohio State, led by all-Big Ten cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, leads the nation in pass-efficiency defense.
Edge: Ohio State
When the Buckeyes pass
Todd Boeckman, a junior, made everyone forget 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith with four TD passes against Northwestern and three vs. Penn State. He led the Big Ten in pass efficiency and was named to the all-conference team. But he threw three interceptions vs. Illinois, the Buckeyes’ lone loss, and attempted only 13 passes with an interception in lousy weather at Michigan. LSU is just behind OSU in pass-efficiency defense, with consensus All- America safety Craig Steltz leading the way.
Edge: LSU
By the numbers
0-8
Ohio State’s record against SEC teams in bowl games
3-6
Favorites’ record in the past nine BCS title games
33-6
Coach Les Miles’ record at LSU
John Henderson: 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com
