After all the frustration and anger of watching the Ohio State-Ohio game subsided, I began to realize that their "pathetic" (Brian Hartline nailed it on the head) performance might be a blessing in disguise.
Think about it: Had they blown away Ohio (which they are more than capable of doing, with or without Beanie), they might have landed in LA with a false confidence. An overconfidence that's much akin to what they felt when they took on Florida in the 2007 championship game.
Six weeks before that game, Sports Illustrated had Troy Smith on the cover with the caption: "The Best. Period". That would've bloated any 20 year old kids' ego - adding to it, Smith went on to win the Heisman. "We are invincible," they must've thought. Until Florida utterly destroyed that gem of wisdom.
So now the criticism from the Pac Ten (and even the Big Ten) writers - not the mention all the ESPN guys who always hated OSU - begun and it'll only get worse as the 'much anticipated game' looms closer. If that isn't enough motivation for all those returning Buckeye seniors (who could have been driving their Porches to work right now had they gone pro) then what is?
They've been hearing the criticism for the last two years. But those biting remarks (most quite valid) usually occurred AFTER a big game (i.e. Florida and LSU). Now it's happening before, and they have this one chance to prove the constant naysayers wrong.
This is really their only chance. To show on the field what a talented group of young athletes they are. A win over USC will quiet (practically) everyone. I for one hope these seniors - who have endured so much heartbreak in the last two years - can pull it off.
They certainly deserve to.
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