OSU shifts motivational gears in midseason

COLUMBUS - They say they aren't wallowing in regrets. But rematches are something different.

While most Ohio State fans really don't want any part of watching OSU-Southern California, Part II, after the Trojans rolled over the Buckeyes 35-3 in September, the feeling inside the locker room might be different.

Ohio State (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) saw its national championship hopes deflated with that loss at USC, then watched any slim chance of still getting to the BCS title game disappear in a 13-6 loss to Penn State two weeks ago.

But tight end Rory Nicol, for one, would like a second chance. "I'd love to play both those teams again but there are no re-do's on Saturdays," he said. "I'd love to play USC again."

Maybe that's just an illustration of the innate confidence and competitiveness of athletes at Ohio State's level.

Or maybe it's an example of how OSU has had to find new motivations this season after dropping out of the national title race for the first time in three seasons.

Nine games into both last season and the 2006 season, Ohio State was unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in the BCS standings. They have been ranked first in 13 of the last 19 BCS polls.

Every year around this time, regardless of BCS standings, coach Jim Tressel rolls out his annual declaration that November is the month that defines a football team. This year, with OSU going to Northwestern (7-2, 3-2 Big Ten) on Saturday, is no exception.

"We always talk about November is when crazy things happen. We always talk about November being a whole new month, but it's true," Nicol said. "So much can change this month. The biggest thing we need to concern ourselves with is winning these three games because we can still get into a BCS bowl."

So what other motivations are there for OSU now? Since there are no do-overs, what can they do?

"You can't really dwell on a loss too much because it's going to hurt you," safety Kurt Coleman said. "You can't get frustrated, that's just the game. We're in this position for a reason. We just have to win out and play at the best of our abilities."

Wide receiver Brian Robiskie says this isn't the time for a grand gesture or some huge change.

"When things are not going as you plan, part of you wants to step up and do something extraordinary. But that's not what we need," he said.

What Ohio State needs most is to find an answer for its offensive problems.

The loss to Penn State was the third time this season that the Buckeyes, who have nine returning starters on offense, didn't score an offensive touchdown. They rank 10th in the Big Ten in total offense, ahead of only Michigan.

Nicol says the offense has been a mystery even in practice. "There are days when we can do anything we want to our defense. Then there are days you go out and nothing is working, guys are getting frustrated," he said.

Another motivational reference point for the Buckeyes is the 2005 team, which lost two of its first five games before finishing 10-2.

"I kind of like to relate it to the 2005 team where they lost two games and finished very strong. They were a great team," Coleman said.