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Sugar Bowl Blues: A Personal Tale
David ThurmanDec 14, 2010
The date was January 2, 1978. I was a junior in high school and had anxiously awaited what appeared to be a great matchup: No. 3 Alabama (10-1), coached by the legendary Bear Bryant vs. No. 9 Ohio State (9-2), led by the equally famous Woody Hayes.
On paper it looked like a good game, and I remember camping out in front of our gigantic console television, prepared for an all-out war. Unfortunately it never materialized. Alabama ran the ball down the throats of the OSU defense, leading 13-0 at the half, and 21-0 at the end of the third quarter, on their way to an ugly 35-6 victory.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
The Buckeyes put the ball on the turf 10 times that day, although they only lost two of those fumbles. If that wasn't bad enough, my girlfriend at the time called me on the phone during the third quarter and broke up with me. At least I got revenge on her, as we got back together later that year, allowing me the opportunity to dump her! The game, however, wasn't nearly so easy to get over, and I guess I am still waiting for revenge.
Although I would have no way of knowing it, that Sugar Bowl defeat was the start of Ohio State losing nine straight bowl games to SEC opponents. Honestly, that is pretty hard to believe and even more difficult to swallow. And, although we can blame John Cooper for five of the losses, the fact is, Jim Tressel is now 0-3 in bowl games when facing a team from the SEC. You can find a complete list of the "nasty nine" after the page jump.
Although I would have no way of knowing it, that Sugar Bowl defeat was the start of Ohio State losing nine straight bowl games to SEC opponents. Honestly, that is pretty hard to believe and even more difficult to swallow. And, although we can blame John Cooper for five of the losses, the fact is, Jim Tressel is now 0-3 in bowl games when facing a team from the SEC. You can find a complete list of the "nasty nine" after the page jump.
Jan. 2, 1978 - Sugar Bowl: Alabama 35, Ohio State 6...Woody didn't punch a player, but he did haul off and hit the goalpost as he walked off at halftime!
Jan 1, 1990 - Hall of Fame Bowl: Auburn 31, Ohio State 14...The Bucks led 14-3 in the second quarter before imploding, which would become a Cooper Bowl game trait.
Jan. 1, 1993 - Citrus Bowl: Georgia 21, Ohio State 14...The first of a bunch of close losses, this game was tied before Kirk Herbstreit botched a handoff to Jeff Cothran.
Jan. 2, 1995 - Citrus Bowl: Alabama 24, Ohio State 17...This one was tied at 17, but once again, Coop's squad couldn't make the plays down the stretch.
Jan. 1, 1996 - Citrus Bowl: Tennessee 20, Ohio State 14...The infamous "Tennecleats" game, in which the Volunteers cheated by wearing shoes with illegal cleats, allowing them more traction on a very wet day.
Jan. 1, 2001 - Outback Bowl: South Carolina 24, Ohio State 7...This was Cooper's Last Stand, made worse by the revelation that Reggie Germany had a 0.00 GPA for the previous semester.
Jan. 1, 2002 - Outback Bowl: South Carolina 31, Ohio State 28...Tressel's first bowl game saw the Buckeyes get behind 28-0 in the third quarter, then mount a furious comeback behind Steve Bellisari. However, his late interception set up the Gamecocks winning field goal.
Jan. 8, 2007 - BCS National Championship Game: Florida 41, Ohio State 14...The most painful of them all for me, as the favored Buckeyes were unprepared and demolished.
Jan. 7, 2008 - BCS National Championship Game: LSU 38, Ohio State 24...This time the outcome wasn't a big shock but still hurt, especially after OSU jumped out to a 10-0 lead.
Well, that is all ancient history, and this year's team has the opportunity to reverse the trend. I, for one, am more than anxious to get the 900 pound gorilla off of the Buckeye's back. I don't think my wife is planning on leaving me, but I'll still be really blue if OSU comes up short again!
Jan 1, 1990 - Hall of Fame Bowl: Auburn 31, Ohio State 14...The Bucks led 14-3 in the second quarter before imploding, which would become a Cooper Bowl game trait.
Jan. 1, 1993 - Citrus Bowl: Georgia 21, Ohio State 14...The first of a bunch of close losses, this game was tied before Kirk Herbstreit botched a handoff to Jeff Cothran.
Jan. 2, 1995 - Citrus Bowl: Alabama 24, Ohio State 17...This one was tied at 17, but once again, Coop's squad couldn't make the plays down the stretch.
Jan. 1, 1996 - Citrus Bowl: Tennessee 20, Ohio State 14...The infamous "Tennecleats" game, in which the Volunteers cheated by wearing shoes with illegal cleats, allowing them more traction on a very wet day.
Jan. 1, 2001 - Outback Bowl: South Carolina 24, Ohio State 7...This was Cooper's Last Stand, made worse by the revelation that Reggie Germany had a 0.00 GPA for the previous semester.
Jan. 1, 2002 - Outback Bowl: South Carolina 31, Ohio State 28...Tressel's first bowl game saw the Buckeyes get behind 28-0 in the third quarter, then mount a furious comeback behind Steve Bellisari. However, his late interception set up the Gamecocks winning field goal.
Jan. 8, 2007 - BCS National Championship Game: Florida 41, Ohio State 14...The most painful of them all for me, as the favored Buckeyes were unprepared and demolished.
Jan. 7, 2008 - BCS National Championship Game: LSU 38, Ohio State 24...This time the outcome wasn't a big shock but still hurt, especially after OSU jumped out to a 10-0 lead.
Well, that is all ancient history, and this year's team has the opportunity to reverse the trend. I, for one, am more than anxious to get the 900 pound gorilla off of the Buckeye's back. I don't think my wife is planning on leaving me, but I'll still be really blue if OSU comes up short again!
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
