Numbers Game
Columbus, OH – Ohio State is a lock to beat Southern California on Saturday – or to get humiliated again – depending on which stat you choose.
Since a cranky Denison University coach named Wayne Woodrow Hayes came to Columbus in 1951, on 10 occasions the Buckeyes have lost to a team by at least 25 points one year and then come back to play them again the next.
They’re 9-0-1 in those games.
That’s revealing since this Saturday’s marquee opponent at Ohio Stadium is No. 3 USC, which embarrassed the Buckeyes 35-3 last year at the L.A. Coliseum.
But not all the numbers support No. 8 Ohio State.
For instance, USC has beaten the Buckeyes six times in a row, and has won its last nine games against Big Ten opponents – by an average of 24 points. The Trojans have also won their last 11 games overall and their last nine nonconference road games.
Bet Men’s College Football
Posted: 9/9/09 10:55PM ET