An interesting dilemma.That’s what Ohio State fans have right now. Do they want to risk the glorious prestige of going to a BCS bowl game to lose again and further embarrassing not only themselves but the rest of the Big Ten? Or do they want to face against an SEC team in the Capital One Bowl where you have a better shot at winning?
Over at “The O-zone”, Todd Gerdeman wants the glitz and glory of going to a BCS bowl game all for the reason of well…the glitz and glory of going to a BCS bowl game.
But if I were an OSU fan, I’m rooting for the Beavers today and hoping they get the automatic BCS bid, most likely sending the Buckeyes to the Capital One Bowl.
However, most OSU fans want in the BCS and might be puzzled on why I think they should be wanting OSU to NOT go to a BCS bowl game. It’s simple really: revenge and to prove they’re still the cream of the crop in college football.
Let’s face it. In the nation’s eyes the Ohio State Buckeyes are chokers on the big stage and for good reason. As we all know OSU got blasted the past two years in the National Championship by Florida and LSU, which both games on paper looked like games OSU could win. Instead they were out-played and out-coached. They didn’t look like the Buckeyes that all Big Ten fans knew (and hated so much) from the regular season.
Not only did they make themselves look bad, but they made the Big Ten look bad. The pundits on ESPN and other top sports networks were speculating on whether or not Penn State would deserve to go to the National Championship game or not if they went undefeated because the “top dawg” has a bad rep. Some are even pondering the thought of Boise State or Utah getting a BCS bid over OSU because of what has transpired the past couple years to them.
So what better way to shut the hacks up on ESPN and the hicks in the south than to beat an SEC team in a New Year’s Day bowl.
“But OSU has bad luck against the SEC!” True, they do and it even goes past the past two years as OSU is 0-9 against the SEC in bowl games. However, they’d be playing an underachieving SEC team, most likely Georgia who lost to Georgia Tech earlier today giving up over 400 rushing yards.
I like OSU’s chances against Georgia. Knowshawn Moreno is a big part of UGA’s offense but this OSU defense has only allowed one 100 yard rusher all season long. The OSU defensive line also has a knack of getting to the QB and rattling him which would make Matt Stafford prone to mistakes.
Terrelle Pryor has been improving all season long and the Buckeyes will have Beanie Wells in the backfield which isn’t a good thing for UGA as noted before they gave up over 400 rushing yards today and haven’t done well against the run all year. Pound Beanie with a mix of run and pass from Pryor and it could be a long day for the Bulldog defense.
However, like I said before, the biggest factor in this game will be revenge. Do you think players such as Malcolm Jenkins, James Laurinaitis, and Beanie Wells are going to go 0-3 in their career against the SEC? Well it obviously could happen but I can’t imagine not only them but the whole entire OSU team to not be motivated enough to beat them.
Will a win against the SEC in the Capital One Bowl gain back all respect for OSU and the Big Ten? No, probably not, it’ll take more than that. But it will help it a bit and finally get that gorilla off OSU’s back.
