OSU offensive line must deliver

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - It sounds as if Ohio State offensive tackle Alex Boone has never heard that old warning about not wishing for what you want because you just might get it.

The 6-foot, 8-inch, 325-pound senior says that before this year's bowl match-ups were announced, he was hoping Ohio State would play Texas. And that meant he would be going against the Longhorns' standout defensive end Brian Orakpo, the Lombardi Award winner as the best lineman in college football.

"This is like the perfect match-up. What I wanted for Christmas was Texas in the Fiesta Bowl and I got my wish. Now the key is to actually go out and play," Boone said.

After back-to-back losses in BCS national championship games, Ohio State has something to prove tonight against Texas in the Fiesta Bowl.

Maybe no unit on the Buckeyes has more to prove than the offensive linemen. And Boone, a three-year starter on that line, probably has more to prove or disprove than anyone else.

Two years ago, Florida defensive ends Derrick Harvey (3 sacks, 1 forced fumble) and Jarvis Moss (2 sacks) ran through OSU's offensive line with little resistance.

Last year before the game against LSU, Boone promised the offensive line would redeem itself. But on game night, it helped make Ricky-Jean Francois and the rest of the Tigers' defensive line look like All-Americans and surrendered five sacks again.

How Ohio State's line plays tonight will have a big say in the outcome of the game and in the perception of the Buckeyes.

"I'm getting calls from people saying if you have a great game this week it would kind of silence a lot of people," Boone said. "A lot of people think the world of Orakpo and think he is everything. This is like the final exam."

Orakpo had 10.5 sacks this season despite missing 2 ½ games with a knee injury. The first-team All-American leads a Texas defense that ranks first in the country in sacks (44) and No. 2 against the run, allowing 73.6 yards per game.

Boone's critics say he is better at moving his mouth than at moving opposing defensive linemen out of the way.

He says he has improved his pass protection this year, but admits not all the offensive line's games have been good ones.

"We've had some F performances, we've had some B's," he said. "We've had some games where we won where we could have played better."

So, what does Ohio State have to do to avoid a third straight bowl loss, other than protecting its own quarterback in a big game for a change?

Start with affecting Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (3,445 yards, 32 touchdown passes). In the Longhorns' one loss this season, 39-33 against Texas Tech, the junior Heisman Trophy runner-up was sacked four times and had an interception returned for a touchdown.

Second, get Chris Wells loose for consistent yardage in what could be his final game in an Ohio State uniform. Without a running threat from Wells or freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor, OSU's passing game isn't going to scare Texas.

Third, show Texas something new in the passing game. It doesn't have to be a lot, just something the Longhorns weren't expecting.

Fourth, don't make mistakes, whether it's fumbling, throwing an interception or jumping on one of your teammates after he has returned a kick for a touchdown.

And, finally, if you're the superstitious type, don't score first. Ohio State led Florida 7-0 and was up 10-0 on LSU.

The prediction: Texas 28, Ohio State 20