9/12/09. That date has been circled on OSU's calendar now since the 35-3 beat down last year @ U$C. The Trojans spotted the Buckeyes a 3-0 lead and then went to work in dissecting OSU's defense. Mark Sanchez and Co. put on a clinic of sorts that night. Thank goodness Sanchez declared early for the NFL Draft. I wouldn't have felt good about facing him again in Columbus.

Once again, the Buckeyes let down their guard against a team they should've covered the spread against. No disrespect to Navy, but the Buckeyes had that game in hand and admitted that they "chilled out" in the 4th quarter. Before you know it, the Middies used ball control in orchestrating a 99 yard drive that consumed 8 1/2 minutes.

After a Pryor pick, Navy took just one play to burn Anderson Russell on an 85 yard TD pass. Note: As I type this, Anderson Russell was practicing with the second team on Tuesday and Jermale Hines was promoted to Russell's spot on the first team squad. I reckon that seniority that Tressel had always preached about is now falling by the wayside. I hope that Hines will take advantage of the promotion and use it to his advantage as he has deserved this honor.

Saturday night in the 'Shoe will determine if the Buckeyes are ready to be contenders on the national stage or just another team in a watered down conference. If there ever was a victory that Jim Tressel needed more than the victory in Tempe in 2003, it is this one. The Big Ten's reputation is on the line more than ever. There will be some big time blue chip recruits attending the game that OSU is looking at. Hopefully, the Buckeyes will make a good impression and perhaps sway one or two of them towards attending OSU.

Prediction: OSU 24 USC 21....USC will get a late TD, but it will not be enough to come back and win. The fans will rush the field and the players will carry Tressel off of the field. It should be a great night in Columbus as well as at Dan McGuiness.

GO BUCKS!!!

Luckybuck