OSU-USC Game: Three Is No More Important Than 35

It's not often that I attempt to relate business principles to football, but for the Buckeyes it actually makes sense. In Jim Collins new book, How The Mighty Fall: And Why Some Companies Never Give In, he explains why some of the most powerful companies have faded into mediocrity.

In short, Collins says this happens when companies slowly start to deviate from what originally made them so successful to begin with. None of these companies overnight decided that they wanted to lose everything they had built, instead this slide into defeat happened as decisions slowly were made that strayed from what was originally the core.

Sounds simple right, but this very problem has plagued many of the Fortune 500 companies in America.

So what does this have to do the with the Buckeyes? Well, defense is what made the Buckeys great, and I think Ohio State's problems in big games over the last several years can directly be related to its slowly decaying defense.

Obviously Tressel didn't wake up one day and want the defense to have a difficult time, but with changes at coordinator, recent struggles recruiting solid secondary personnel, and a much softer scheme than early in Tressel's tenure, the once mighty Buckeyes have stumbled.

In fact, it will be a return to that blood thirsty defense that played aggressively (2002 and 2005) that will help the Buckeyes come away with a win this Saturday. 

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I have read a lot of talk in recent weeks about how important Pryor and the offense line is to winning against USC. I totally agree, if the Buckeyes score 10 or 12 points in this game (or three like last year), they obviously have a very slim chance of upsetting the Trojans.

The Buckeyes' MO though, and Tressel's for that matter, is playing tough defense with a swagger. When the Buckeyes lose that, they lose games. 

In essence, I am saying that it is as important to focus on the fact that the Trojans scored 35 points last year as the Buckeyes scoring three. So yes, this is one of those defense wins championships talks.

It is the reason the Buckeyes won the 2002 National Championship, its the reason the Steelers consistently fight for the title (and won this past year), and it is the reason the Gators won in 2008.

Despite having Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin, it was in fact the defense that won them the National Championship. This was the same team that got beat by Michigan in the 2007 Capitol One Bowl and gave up 25.5 points a game throughout the season.

The defense got more experienced and aggressive in 08, and held opponents to an incredible 12.9 points a game. Yes, defense wins championships!

So, back to the Buckeyes...

I think there is a reason to be optimistic. I love the last part of title for the book, NEVER GIVE IN. I honestly don't blame the stagnant defense on a lack of effort, and it has been pretty obvious that our team keeps preparing hard for each of these showdowns. I think it is that "never give in" mentality that could help the Buckeyes finally get back into defensive form.

Last year, following the USC game, the Buckeyes responded and showcased two of their best defensive efforts against Penn State and Texas. First, the Buckeyes held the high powered Nittany Lion offense to 281 yards and was a Pryor fumble away from pulling out a W.

Then they put together a solid game against Texas even though they gave up 24 points and 468 yards, but the Longhorns were only held under 30 points one other time all year long (28 -- Oklahoma State). 

This team is getting closer to pulling out the big win again, and the Trojans coming to the Horseshoe could be just what the doctor ordered. As fans we have to know though, it will be the return to aggressive defensive play that will get us there, not just an improved offensive scheme.

Don't get me wrong, I love more tight end passes, running back catches in the flats, and more time for Pryor, but Buckeye football is defense! Obviously our blog name shows that I am biased, but bring back the "Silver Bullets."