Spring Break
BCS games headlined by LSU, OSU championship
Associated Press
Issue date: 12/4/07 Section: Sports
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A date with LSU at the Superdome awaits the Buckeyes, who are hoping to find redemption in New Orleans on Jan. 7 after struggling in last season's national title game against Florida.
"In all likelihood we will be the underdog because pretty much everyone on earth hates us," offensive tackle Kirk Barton said Sunday night. "That's cool. We're going to be playing in Louisiana against LSU and SEC Nation. So, it's just one of those things we'll probably end up being the underdog, but that's fine with us. It'll be a lot of fun."
It can't get any worse than last season's championship game, when Florida blitzed Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and the Buckeyes 41-14 in Glendale, Ariz.
It's been quite a ride for No. 1 Ohio State (11-1), LSU and all of college football in this crazy, unpredictable season.
A month ago, the Buckeyes and Tigers appeared to be headed toward a showdown in the Big Easy. Then both lost as No. 1 and it seemed their national title hopes were gone.
"We always talk to our guys about the fact you better win all your games," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "We didn't do that but we still have an opportunity in a crazy football season."
By the time the rest of the contenders fell by the wayside, Missouri and West Virginia were the final two to fall on Saturday, Ohio State and LSU were back on top of the BCS standings again.
Plenty of other teams could also make a case to play in the biggest BCS game, but the Tigers and Buckeyes got the nod.
The Tigers (11-2), ranked second in the latest Associated Press poll, will be the first team to play in the BCS title game with two losses.
"It is something a lot of guys never thought we would have the opportunity to have after we lost to Arkansas, but the guys just kept on fighting and controlled the things they could control and now we are going on to play in the championship," LSU safety Craig Steltz said.
November began with the Buckeyes ranked first, but they surrendered that with a 28-21 loss to Illinois that only added fuel to those who said they weren't deserving. But the Big Ten champions backed into the BCS title game without even playing after beating Michigan on Nov. 17.
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