The Ohio State Buckeyes believed that 2008 would finally be their year. During the previous two seasons, OSU landed spots in the BCS title games, only to be humiliated by vastly superior SEC teams.
Several OSU seniors, including three-time All-American linebacker James Laurinaitis bypassed opportunities to play in the NFL to return to Columbus and avenge bitter back-to-back BSC championship game losses. Ohio State started the season ranked second in the AP poll. However, a third week 35-3 blowout by Sothern California and an anemic 13-6 loss against Penn State extinguished the Buckeyes' championship hopes. After a disappointing two-loss season, the Buckeyes are happy to be playing in any BCS bowl game.
Texas, on the other hand, believes that they should be playing in the BSC championship game. The Longhorns convincingly beat Oklahoma 45-35 in the Cotton Bowl, and only suffered one loss, a 39-33 shootout which Texas Tech won on a last-second touchdown.
Other than looking for a little redemption, Texas and Ohio State have little in common. Texas is an offensive powerhouse led by fourth-year quarterback Colt McCoy, this year's runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. In 2008, McCoy threw for 3,445 yards and 32 TDs and led the Longhorns in rushing with 576 yards and 10 TDs on 128 carries. The high-powered Texas offense averaged nearly 44 points per game.
The Ohio State Buckeye's are defensive minded team that likes to run the football. The Buckeyes' defense is anchored by two consensus All-Americans, linebacker James Laurinaitis and safety Malcolm Jenkins. Ohio State's offense is led by a true freshman Terrelle Pryor and junior running back Chris "Beanie"
Wells. This year, Wells ran for 1136 and 8 touchdowns despite missing 3 games with an ankle injury.
While most pundits believe that Texas will take out its BCS frustrations on Ohio State, it is the Buckeyes who are poised to receive some redemption. Texas plays in the Big 12 South, a division with less defense than an NBA All-Star game. Texas has not faced a defense ranked in the top 50 this year. The toughest defense they faced was Oklahoma, which is ranked number 57. The Buckeyes' defense is ranked 7th in the country (6th against the run and 8th against the pass) and only allowed 13 points a game.
In addition, in the pass happy Big 12, Texas has not played against a back of Beanie Wells caliber. Oklahoma State's Kendall Hunter is the best back Texas faced, and he shredded the Longhorn defense for 161 yards and a score. Finally, while Colt McCoy was Texas' leading rusher, Ohio State's QB, Terrelle Pryor, is a better runner. Look for Colt McCoy to keep it close with his arm, but for Wells and Pryor to seal the win with their feet. Final score 28-24, Buckeyes.
