Let's Have a Fiesta: A Must Win Game For Ohio St.

As Oct. 25 waned into its final hours, Terrelle Pryor sat morosely around a group of reporters. The true freshman lamented his fumble and blamed himself for Ohio State's loss to Penn State, a loss that Pryor knew cost his senior teammates a third shot at a national title.

For anyone who has watched a Buckeye game this season, they have seen the development of a future star. Pryor has all of the physical gifts to promise success at the next level, but most impressive his leadership and ability to garner respect from his teammate.

A good number of whom he will someday play against in the NFL. Undoubtedly, without Pryor at the helm of this veteran team, the Buckeyes would likely not be looking forward to a BCS bowl game.

However, the Buckeye's loss to Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions was a microcosm of the Ohio St. program over the past few years. In that time, they have developed some of the nation's best players, as corner-back Malcolm Jenkins is moving his way up draft boards.

Along with fellow All-American linebacker James Laurinaitis and, if he decides to go, running back Chris "Beanie" Wells. All figure to be first round picks.

But Buckeye fans won't soon forget the two overwhelming defeats in the past two national championship games to Florida and LSU, respectively.

The spotlight has highlighted not only Ohio St. but also the entire Big Ten Conference, and the Buckeye's poor performance in consecutive years has drawn the ire of college football fans, analysts and media to label the Big Ten as a weak conference. Particularly in comparison to the juggernaut SEC Conference.

Needless to say, the Silver and Scarlet need a win come Monday.

But this year's Fiesta Bowl could not have presented a more troublesome situation. Not only does Texas bring one of the most potent offenses in the country, lead by Heisman Trophy nominee quarterback Colt McCoy, but also that the Longhorns are this year's BCS snub.

Having finished the season in the infamous third spot of the computer's rankings. The Longhorns will be playing for a bit more than simply a gleaming trophy.

If Ohio St. looses yet another bowl, it will be a terrible hit to this storied program. While  Jim Tressel remains one of the most successful coaches in Buckeye history, and has a sparkling record against rival Michigan, he will be hard pressed to explain three consecutive losses in major bowl games.

Buckeye nation will not be satisfied by the fact that Florida was a better team two years ago, that Ohio St. barely crept into the national championship last year, or that Texas may be a better team with a grudge to play for this year.