Ohio State brings tradition into Rose Bowl test

It was the night before the largest civil war in state history, and Gary Campbell could not sleep.

Oregon Runners coach called out of bed and bumped into what he called "a good omen." Rummaging in her bag in the middle of the night, looking for a pair of tickets to the game for a friend, saw something protruding from a side pocket.

"I drew him out, and my band was going from the Rose Bowl in 1995," he said. "It's been there 15 years. I did not even know was there."

Campbell whispered to his wife awake and said, 'Let the Rose Bowl. "

The next day, the ducks kept his promise, rallying to beat Oregon State 37-33 Thursday night in Autzen Stadium, clinching a visit from New Year's Day in Pasadena, California

"I remember the first time we went in '95 and out of the locker room and on the floor of the stadium and I have chills," said Campbell, in season 27 as assistant UO. "It was the most amazing feeling in the world. I told my wife, 'I can not wait to have that feeling again." And now it's happening, and I am delighted death. "

After the 1994 season, Oregon came into the Rose Bowl in 20-the weakest of the Big Ten champion Penn State, who left in the fourth quarter for a 38-20 victory over the Ducks.

Expectations will be very different this time, when the Ducks No. 7 (10-2) play No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2), who have won five straight Big Ten titles.

The duel is being called Ducks vs. Bucks.

Oregon is 0-7 all time against Ohio State, one of the most famous college football.

When they met in the Rose Bowl, 1958, No. 1 Ohio State was a 19-point favorite, which at the time was believed to be the largest expansion in the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes days for the 10-7 victory in what is nevertheless considered one of the most memorable games in OU history.

At its last meeting on 19 September 1987, the ducks went to Columbus, Ohio, as even more helpless (a 22-point difference) against fifth ranked Ohio State. The Buckeyes led just 3-0 at halftime and finished with a 24-14 victory before 89,882 fans at Ohio Stadium.

Ohio State is making its first Rose Bowl since 1997, when it beat Arizona State, despite the Buckeyes are playing in their fifth straight BCS and the seventh bowl game in eight years.

Following the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Ohio State lost back-to-back BCS national championship games and then lost to Texas in the Fiesta Bowl after last season.

Ducks and Buckeyes two common opponents this season. Ohio State Two losses were at home to USC (18-15) and Purdue (26-18), Oregon beat both of those teams in Autzen Stadium.

Force behind one of the best defenses in the nation, the Buckeyes rebounded from the loss at Purdue to win their last five games, hitting the Top-15 foes Penn State and Iowa (in overtime), and then arch rival Michigan for a record sixth time.

Rows of the Ohio State defense in the top five in total yards allowed, rushing, scoring (allowing 12.2 points per game) and takeaways (33).

Known for his conservative play calling, Jim Tressel has a 93-21 record since becoming head coach at Ohio State in 2001, leading the Buckeyes to the national championship in 2002.

The Buckeyes are averaging 29.3 points per game this year.

Their traditional power running attack is led by a 1-2 punch at Brandon Saine (694 yards) and Daniel Herron (558 yards).

Dual-threat quarterback Terrelle Pryor found success and deeper into the ground at the end of the season. The 6-foot-6, 235-second book completed 55.8 percent of his passes for 1828 yards with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 707 yards and seven touchdowns.

Pryor represent four turnovers in the loss at Purdue. But after the Buckeyes embarked on a zone read option, Tressel said Pryor was "in charge" in the final stretch of the season, while running more and throwing less.

Tressel figures they'll be changing at the Rose Bowl.

"Now we have to get better throwing the ball if we have the opportunity to compete on 1 January," said the Columbus Dispatch.

Either way, trying to find a way to beat the Buckeyes could keep the ducks in the evening.