Letdown in the Coliseum?

The Beanie Wells situation following Ohio State's struggle to beat Ohio last week at home has really taken some of the punch out of this matchup. I tend to go against the grain of conventional logic at times. The consensus probably thinks USC will roll and there is a good chance of that but time and time again we see a closer game or an upset because the favorite gets overconfident and the underdog plays with a chip on their shoulder.

Ohio State has a lot of talent on offense. The problem is that Todd Boeckman simply has not played well against good to great competition. The goal was to lean on Beanie Wells to slow down the pace of the game, move the sticks and take pressure of Boeckman in the passing game. Now, Ohio State has to be creative early unless the Buckeye defense creates some early turnovers. Tressel has to allow some of the younger backs with more play making ability than veteran Mo Wells the ability to make an impact. Tressel has to mix in Terrelle Pryor at the right time to possibly shake up USC's defensive approach.

Any chance for Ohio State begins with their defense in slowing the USC run game and putting Sanchez in predictable passing situations. Virginia provided no test for USC's inexperienced offensive line. We don't know much about them yet but we will find out tonight. If the Buckeyes can pressure Sanchez, the game may play out much different than some people think.

USC looked sharp in the opener but Sanchez had no pressure. Too many people only look at one side of an outcome. Virginia looks to be one of the worst teams in a bad conference. The Cavs are a far cry from the decent group that had Texas Tech on the ropes in the Gator Bowl. That group had Chris Long coming off the edge.

I might stick up for Ohio State more than most people that comment on college football but if the Buckeyes get blown out, I hope and expect the voters see to it that the Buckeyes have no shot to work their way back to the title game through the Big Ten schedule.