Penn St. loss gives OSU hope

The Buckeyes are back in contention for a fourth consecutive Big Ten title.

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio State’s darkened team bus was on its way back from the airport to campus last Saturday night when word spread that unbeaten Penn State was on the ropes at Iowa.

The Buckeyes, on the last leg of a trip back from a lopsided win at Northwestern, took notice.

The bus driver had a small radio that he handed to coach Jim Tressel. Everyone else used cell phones to get updates.

Penn State led 23-21 when Daniel Murray came on the field for a 31-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds.

“When the Iowa kicker kicked it through, you could see that piqued interest, because all of a sudden you’re ostensibly back with a shot [at the Big Ten title], if you do your work,” Tressel said Tuesday.

What was thought to be out of reach — a chance at a fourth consecutive conference title — was suddenly back on the table.

A team that had no real definitive goals after losses to Southern California and Penn State seemed to wipe away any hope of a national title or even a Big Ten crown, suddenly had one.

“Now everything is back in our hands,” cornerback Malcolm Jenkins said. “If we want a share of the Big Ten championship or even win it outright, depending on what happens, it’s up to us. We’ve got to win these games.”

Michigan State (9-2, 6-1) has a bye this week. Penn State (9-1, 5-1) plays host to Indiana before entertaining the Spartans in what will likely be showdown to determine at least a share of the Big Ten title. A rejuvenated and no longer rudderless 10th-ranked Ohio State (8-2, 5-1) plays at Illinois this week before playing host to rival Michigan in the season finale.

Two wins and the Buckeyes are assured of at least a piece of the Big Ten title, and may be in store for something much bigger — the inside track to an at-large Bowl Championship Series berth.

Because of how many people they bring to games, and of how many TVs they turn on when they’re playing, the Buckeyes would seem to be a popular choice come bowl season.

Tressel acknowledges that, but he is also aware that such talk can be distracting.

“The only thought I have on that is you can’t be 10-2 until you’re 9-2, and being 9-2 is going to be a challenge,” he said of the game at Illinois (5-5, 3-3). If we would become 10-2, we will get as our works deserve.”

Tight end Rory Nicol said the Buckeyes are excited about the possibilities, but fully aware of how much can still be lost. He said the coaching staff talks constantly about how the biggest games are played at the end.

“Statistically over the years, the teams that end up being good in the Big Ten don’t lose in November. It’s so true,” he said. “Really, our goals now are to be undefeated in November and then let everything else take care of itself.”

Linebacker James Laurinaitis isn’t a fan of speculation about bowl trips, rankings and title games. He constantly repeats the mantra that the only game that matters is the next one. In this case, that’s Illinois.