New Orleans, Louisiana--Of the previous nine title games of the BCS, six underdogs have won.
This year, although OhioState was No. 1 in the final BCS standings, No. 2 LSU is a four-point favorite.
It doesn't make to Tigers coach Les Miles, who said, "I can tell you this, in a game like this one, you tell me who the underdog is, the No 1-ranked team in the nation or the No. 2-ranked team in the nation?"
Most analysts are picking the Tigers to win. They have questioned the Buckeyes' credentials, even though they won the Big Ten Conference.
The Buckeyes are 0-8 against SEC teams in bowl games.
OSU coach Jim Tressel commissioned a 10-minute DVD that contains all manner of televised putdowns during the past month, including the rants of LSU backer and political strategist James Carville. The players watched it during Christmas break.
Miles might not be aware of the noise, but it's there. He said he told his Tigers, "Respect your opponent, Understand that this opponent is very dangerous, And hopefully we'll play as quality a game as we can."
"That's what it comes down to, " LSU's Glenn Dorsey said," because it doesn't matter who is No. 2, who is No. 1 or who is the favorite and who is the underdog, because when it comes to the game, you have to come out and play hard."
Yet history shows the underdog has won six of the nine BCS title games.
"I don't take too much from that," said Dorsey. "Because six of nine? That's not 100 per cent."
Quote:
Ryan Perrilloux, Tigers quarterback, who is scheduled to play 10 plays on Monday night: "I think fans know I can throw a little bit. I only ran once on a scramble this season.The other runs were on options. I'm a pocket passer and my legs are just another dimension I have."
