Ohio State needs a big win in more ways than one

COLUMBUS - There are ways for college football players to acquire a reputation today that were unheard of 10, 20 or 30 years ago.

Southern California linebacker Rey Maualuga is a YouTube star because of a video posted there of him delivering a crushing hit to UCLA quarterback Pat Cowan. Fans have also posted highlight videos of Ohio State players like James Laurinaitis there.

If you had asked Woody Hayes, history buff that he was, about YouTube, he probably would have thought you were talking about German U-boats.

But at least one thing hasn't changed: Lose enough big games and you'll get a reputation for not winning the big ones.

Ohio State has gained that unwanted reputation after losing the last two BCS national championship games.

When the No. 5 Buckeyes (2-0) go to No. 1 Southern California (1-0) on Saturday night, they have a chance to discard if not shatter that reputation. On the other hand, another loss -especially another one-sided defeat - would only bolster the arguments of those who say OSU is an unworthy championship game participant.

But maybe more important than any of that is the probability that Ohio State has to win all its games this season to return to the BCS title game.

So, is this a one-game season for Ohio State? Win and grab a prime lane in the race to the BCS title game? Lose and try to put the pieces back together?

"It's early in the season and there's a long way to go, but I think both teams know everything is on the line for both of us," Ohio State wide receiver Brian Robiskie said.

"We'll prepare like this is our national championship and our season. Everything we have has to go into this Saturday, into this week and how we prepare to get ready for this Saturday."

OSU's other starting receiver, Brian Hartline, agreed and said he's anticipating the matchup and the chance his team has to distance itself from its recent reputation.

"I think it's going to take two undefeated teams to go to the national championship this year," he said. "Us, specifically, we need to be undefeated going into the national championship if we want to go back. That's not a bad thing, I like having that back-to-the-wall feeling.

"Five versus one, that's pretty sweet," he said. "You don't get too many of those. The atmosphere is going to be unreal."

Quarterback Todd Boeckman said, "I think we go into every year expecting to win every game and knowing that if we lose we might not make the championship game. I guess you never know. You have to go out there and play your games and hope you get a shot."

While most of the Buckeyes stayed away from saying this was a game in which they could prove some critics wrong, defensive end Lawrence Wilson says that is something he uses to motivate himself.

"It's extremely important because nobody believes in us except ourselves. Nobody outside our locker room thinks we have a chance, so it's definitely big for us to show what we have," he said. "If we lose, it messes up our season. If they lose, it messes up their season."