Gator Bowl matchup ‘for pride’

By Bill Rabinowitz

The Columbus Dispatch

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.

In most years, an Ohio State vs. Florida bowl matchup would conjure thoughts of a national championship, or at least a Bowl Championship Series showdown.

Today, in the Gator Bowl, all that is stake is ensuring that a disappointing season doesn’t become an embarrassing one.

One of these 6-6 teams will finish with a sub.-500 record for the first time in decades. Ohio State hasn’t had a losing record since 1988, Florida since 1979.

“It’s two programs that aren’t used to being in this spot,” Buckeyes senior center Michael Brewster said. “It’s really just for pride at this point.”

Ohio State lost its final three regular-season games. If the Buckeyes lose today, it would be their first four-game losing streak since 1943. The only other time Ohio State has lost four straight was in 1922, the year Ohio Stadium opened.

“Both of us have had seasons that haven’t exactly been how we planned them to go,” said Luke Fickell, who’ll be in charge of the Buckeyes for the last time before working under incoming coach Urban Meyer.

But, he added, it’s a nice consolation prize “to have an up-and-down year and still have the ability to play Jan. 2 in a special game with two great universities.”

Today will be the first time in seven years that the Buckeyes aren’t in a BCS bowl. But if the Buckeyes lacked motivation for a lesser-tier bowl after their late-season slump, the postseason ban for the 2012 season should provide some incentive for today.

Not only will this be the final bowl for the seniors and assistants such as offensive coordinator Jim Bollman and defensive coordinator Jim Heacock, it will also be the last postseason game for the team’s juniors.

“Sometimes you take these bowl games for granted because we’ve been so fortunate [to play in big ones],” Fickell said. “I hope what this has done is make us realize what a privilege it is to be able to play in these games.”

Still, it’s a far cry from the only previous matchup between Ohio State and Florida. Five years ago, the Meyer-led Gators stunned the top-ranked Buckeyes 41-14 for the national championship.

Buckeyes sixth-year senior defensive back Tyler Moeller, then a freshman, is the only player remaining on either team’s roster from then.

“I know they’re still upset about that game,” Florida running back Chris Rainey said.

Neither team resembles its 2006 predecessor. Braxton Miller may have Troy Smith-like potential, but the freshman quarterback was forced into action earlier than anticipated and doesn’t have the supporting cast Smith did in the passing game.

Ohio State’s defense has shown only glimpses of the domination the ’06 Buckeyes often displayed.

Florida has faltered badly under new coach Will Muschamp. It is particularly thin on the offensive and defensive lines. Despite talent at running back with Rainey and ultra-fast Jeff Demps, the offense has been overmatched by the better Southeastern Conference defenses it has faced.

The Gators’ defense ranks ninth nationally in yards allowed but has forced only 12 turnovers.

Meyer will not be at the game, but he will be paying attention. So it’ll be the chance for the Buckeyes underclassmen to make a positive first impression.

Ohio State’s seniors can end a turbulent season on a bright note.

“For us seniors, myself included, we’ve just grown a ton, not only as players, but in handling the situation,” Brewster said, referring to the NCAA investigation and sanctions. “Finishing the season with a win against Florida would be a good way to go out.”