Southern California Vs Ohio State More Than Just an Early Season Rematch

On September 12, 2009, the Southern California Trojans will meet the Ohio State Buckeyes for the second time in the last two seasons.  In last year’s meeting, Southern California trounced Ohio State 35-3 in a beating that hasn’t slipped the minds of Buckeye fans.  In the game, then-USC star quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for 172 yards, 4 touchdowns, and only 1 interception.  Todd Boeckman was not able to gather any type of passing consistency and Terrelle Pryor was not able to utilize his rushing ability and quickness on the speedy USC defense.  Rey Maualuga set the tone of the game when he intercepted Boeckman and took the ball 48 yards for a touchdown.  Chris “Beanie” Wells, Ohio State’s premier running back in 2008, did not play in the game.

This year is the rematch in Columbus at the horseshoe.  This game may have more implications on the BCS standings than last year’s meeting considering the circumstances.  In last year’s bowl season, the Pac-10 won the bragging rights for best conference record going a perfect 5-0.  The Big Ten, however, did not fare so well, going 1-6, including losses to Florida State, Georgia, Texas, and Southern California on the big stage.

While USC and OSU nearly met at the Rose Bowl game last year, due to a late season loss to Penn State, 13-6 in Columbus, the Buckeyes were not able to make the trip out to Los Angeles for a rematch.  And instead, Penn State ventured out West to get a classic USC greeting as they were pounded 38-24, including USC putting 24 points on the scoreboard in the second quarter.  Previous years have shown the dominance in the Rose Bowl of the Pac-10 over the Big Ten.  USC, who almost always represents the Pac-10 in college football’s most traditional bowl game, has chalked up recent victories over Michigan twice (2004, 2007), Illinois (2008), and most recently, Penn State (2009).  The Big Ten has been dominated by the Pac-10 throughout the decade.

The upcoming game between USC and OSU will not only be a meeting of two very prominent programs, but the clash of two conferences.  The Pac-10, who has dominated the Big Ten recently, is playing to reassure college football’s voters that the Pac-10 should be mentioned along the likes of the SEC and they are still miles above their little brother, the Big Ten.  The Big Ten is playing to show the country that they have reestablished themselves and to regain credibility amongst college football experts and fans.

This year, Ohio State may have the advantage.  USC’s stud linebackers, Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing, are gone to the NFL.  Mark Sanchez, has relocated to New York, also choosing the NFL over Pete Carroll’s Trojans.  Terrelle Pryor now has a year of experience under his belt.  And those linebackers who gave him so many problems in last year’s meeting to display his speed skills are now replaced by a brand new crop of talent.  Pryor now has the quarterback position all to himself, whereas last year he was sharing snaps when these two juggernauts met early last season.

OSU will enjoy the luxury of being home this year.  They will have the crowd noise on their side and USC players will be in an unfamiliar environment.  The home crowd magnifies the importance of an Ohio State victory as it would be difficult to pencil them in for a crack at the national championship if they are beaten with their home crowd watching.  Perhaps the biggest change, is the new quarterback of USC, Matt Barkley.  Barkley was recently in a QB competition with teammate Aaron Corp.  Most insiders thought Corp would get the starting nod as he is a junior and has a combination of throwing and scrambling talent.  Barkley won out the QB competition and Trojan’s Coach Pete Carroll announced that Barkley, a true freshman, was not just the starting quarterback for the first week, but he is the team’s quarterback for the entire season.

While Mark Sanchez only was the official starter at QB for one impressive season, he did start games for John David Booty the previous season, when he went down with an injury.  Sanchez’s victory over Notre Dame 38-0 in 2007, in which he threw 4 touchdowns on the road in South Bend, gave him the confidence to take the keys from Booty the following season.  Barkley does not have any major playing experience and he is a true freshman.  He will be stepping onto one of the biggest stages in the country in the second week of the season.

This matchup will be looked back at in December when the BCS and AP rankings become tight in the race for #1.  If Ohio State beats Southern California and runs the table and goes undefeated, this matchup may catapult OSU into the national championship game.  If Southern California wins again and runs the table in the Pac-10, a huge win in a hostile environment in Columbus on the road will be a huge boost and could be the tiebreaker if either Texas or Oklahoma goes undefeated.

While Florida is expected to have its most difficult challenge in the SEC championship game, this could easily be the toughest game for both Ohio State and Southern California early in the season.  Both OSU and USC are favored to win their conferences.  USC arguably has a tougher schedule having to face Oregon, California, Notre Dame, and UCLA.  However, Ohio State will have to play Penn State in a rematch in State College on November 4, which will be crucial for their national title inspirations.  The door is open for OSU and they must capitalize in order for the Big Ten to regain respectability amongst college football’s elite voters.

This matchup is going to be more than just an early season meeting, it’s going to determine bowl placement and may even be a VIP pass to the BCS championship if the winner goes undefeated.