Our Honor Defend

The Buckeyes take the field this afternoon at the foot of the San Gabriel mountains in wonderful Pasadena for the first time since New Year’s Day way back in 1997. Then, the Buckeyes upended an undefeated Arizona State team with aspirations of finishing 1996 and beginning 1997 with a national title. Here, the Buckeyes hope to send out the seniors with something the Buckeyes have only accomplished three times in the past 40+ years: a Rose Bowl trophy.

Awaiting the Buckeyes are the Oregon Ducks, no doubt looking at the 2010 Rose Bowl as a significant event in the program’s history.  They are looking for the first Rose Bowl crown since the 1917 game when they beat the Penn Quakers.  Subsequent returns to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl, in 1920, 1958 and 1994, have all led to defeats at the hands of Harvard, Ohio State and Penn State respectively.  Oregon might even be looking beyond that.  In a decade of Pac 10 dominance by USC, Oregon’s conference crown is a significant breakthrough no doubt made more significant by Chip Kelly, who is in his first year as Oregon’s head coach.  Simply put, expect them — from the coaches and players down to the fans — want it every bit as badly as we do.

My preview post went up, technically, a year ago.  We’ve heard several things about Oregon’s offense and defense.  We’ve heard their offense is explosive and that the playcalls are designed in such a way to put defensive tackles in uncomfortable situations where they are wrong every time.  We’ve also heard that their defense can yield points, and may be middle of the pack at best.  Rinse and repeat.  Ohio State will need to be sure with tackles and capitalize on any and all turnovers that Masoli and the Oregon offense would be willing to provide.  Winning the turnover margin would be swell.  There’s all sorts of things worth watching in this game and, of course, in the games preceding it.  Big Ten brethren Nerdwestern and Penn Shtate kick off the day in the Hall of Fame Bowl and Citrus Bowl respectively.  The Citrus Bowl also starts at the same time as the Gator Bowl, where, if you care enough, you can bid farewell to Bobby Bowden as he takes on his previous employer, West Virginia.

Live blog is below, if you’re interested.