NEW ORLEANS — Well, in two thousand and eight we took a little trip,
Along with Coach Miles down the mighty Mississip.
We took our two losses, and we took our 11 wins,
To play in the BCS championship in New Awlins.
We gave it our best shot, and Buckeyes kept a’comin;
It wasn’t nigh as easy as we had hoped a while ago.
We fired once more, and they began runnin’
Back up to Columbus and the state of O-hi-o.
* * *
On Jan. 8, 1815, the Americans fought the British in the battle of New Orleans.
On Jan. 7, 2008, the Tigers fight the Buckeyes in the battle of New Orleans.
A few other January battles have occurred in New Orleans in the 193 years in between.
The Denver Broncos fought a couple of Super Bowl battles in Louisiana and would lose-e-ana as the British did, the first to Dallas and the second to San Francisco by a score of fiftyfreakingfive to 10.
Nine Super Bowls battles have been contested here.
Sugar Bowl battles have been contested here since 1935.
The real, or imagined, national champion has emerged victorious from the Sugar Bowl 18 times.
And the BCS national championship battle has been contested here twice before — 2000 (Florida State over Virginia Tech) and 2004 (LSU over Oklahoma).
But the Superdome has not been the host of a Sugar Bowl battle and a BCS battle in the same year — until now. Georgia played Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl last week, and LSU plays Ohio State tonight.
Despite the proclamation, it is claimed by many that this is not the be-all and end-all. It is suggested that the winner of this game should then play Southern Cal or Kansas or even Georgia, which humbled undefeated Hawaii 41-10.
Jim Tressel, the Ohio State coach, says others may have a claim, but Ohio State and LSU are Nos. 1 and 2 in the BCS, and one of those two teams will get the crystal football (and, presumably, breakfast at Tiffany’s).
Until we get a legitimate playoff, this is what we are stuck with, and that’s that.
“You know, I’ve not been one that’s been a quote ‘playoff advocate,’ ” Tressel said, then added, “I was six or seven years ago.”
Of course, the Buckeyes were in the Allstate BCS national championship game (ABCSNCG?) last year and again this year.
LSU coach Les Miles was asked about Georgia and Southern Cal’s assertions that they could be No. 1. “I don’t give much thought to that, to be honest with you,” he said.
When someone says “to be honest . . .” they’re usually not being honest.
LSU is the first team with two defeats to play in the BCS championship. OSU is the first team to lose 41-14 in the BCS championship and return the next year.
“What did I learn from last year?” Tressel said two days ago. “I learned a lot.”
And we learned a lot. You don’t trust Ohio State against an SEC team in the national title game.
Especially when the game is played 80 miles downstream from LSU’s campus.
Five feet above sea level in the French Quarter, about 5,280 people in red and in purple asked me who will win the game.
“I don’t know,” I say 5,280 times.
In its 11 victories, Ohio State never gave up more than two touchdowns.
LSU scored more than 40 points seven times.
LSU didn’t lose a game in regulation.
Ohio State didn’t lose a game in September or October.
Ohio State seeks retribution. Louisiana State has Glenn Dorsey.
Ohio State defeated Kent State 48-3. Louisiana State defeated Middle Tennessee State 44-0.
OSU and LSU tied in 1987, the Buckeyes beat the Bayou Bengals in 1988 by three, and neither game means anything today.
I drove my rental-attentive Chevy to the Levee in the lower 9th Ward on Sunday afternoon and sat on a bench and chewed on a muffuletta and the game, waiting for a revelation.
Some Amish visitors from Pennsylvania walked by and said they were here to help in the rebuilding of homes. Revelation. “Who’s going to win the game?” I asked one.
“I don’t own a TV,” he said.
Then I drove to the Chalmette Plantation, site of 1815’s Battle of New Orleans (which was fought after the War of 1812 was over), and sat on a bench overlooking the mighty Mississip. I began singing “The Battle of New Orleans.” Revelation. Baton Rouge is French meaning “Red stick.” Ohio State’s predominant color is red.
Great game. LSU 38, OSU 35 (triple overtime). Geaux, Gumbo.
Woody Paige: 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com
