By: Steve Tater (BleacherReport.com) —
It’s now been 1,952 days since the school up north beat The Ohio State Buckeyes in football. And any true blue Ohio State fan knows that is THE game on the Buckeyes schedule every year.

Unlike his coaching predecessor, the thing that has ingratiated Jim Tressel to OSU fans since he took over the program is that he understands how much winning the Michigan game means to the Buckeye faithful.

Winning records, national championships and bowl games all matter to Ohioans. But canada pharmacy the thing that most football fans across the country do not “get” when referring to Ohio State football, is how much that one game matters.

It literally makes or breaks coaching careers in Columbus, OH.
Unfortunately for Michigan fans, they have a long, hard way back to national prominence as Rich Rodriguez installs the type of players needed for his system.

Until he finds his own Terrelle Pryor (along with the speed demons it takes to run his offense), that long stretch of previously mentioned days will get even longer.

But besides the Michigan game, what games do Ohio State fans have to circle on their calendar? What games are going to make or break the season in terms of Big Ten and National Championship contention for OSU?

In terms of the national championship, the season starts or ends on Sept. 12, 2009, where they meet Southern Cal at The Shoe. It’s a rematch of the debacle that ended any chance Ohio State had for redemption in the BCS.

Southern Cal never really has a “down” year under super-recruiter Pete Carroll. But if there was a time to strike while the iron is hot, this is the year.

While OSU certainly has a few holes to fill, USC has some holes to fill the size of the Grand Canyon at quarterback and at linebacker. There is some big time talent leaving the program in order to play on Sundays rather than Saturdays.

The Trojans still have a great deal of talent returning, especially in the secondary, offensive line, and at running back. But losing the quarterback of the offense and the main playmakers of the defense will make it tough sledding, especially so early in the season in a hostile environment.
Because of Ohio State’s past stumbles in the BCS Championship Game, there is very little margin for error with the pollsters if the Buckeyes want to attain that goal.

A win in this game keeps the dream alive. A loss means a Big Ten title is all they are playing for.

As for the Big Ten schedule, the key battles Buckeye fans need to pay attention to are the following: Sept. 26 Illinois (in Columbus), Nov. 7 Penn State (at State College, Pa.), and Nov. 14 Iowa (in Columbus).

The Buckeyes still haven’t got over the sting from watching QB Juice Williams run rough-shot over the Buckeye defense in 2007. Although the Bucks got back at him in 2008, Williams returns along with most of his skill position players in 2009.

Despite some interception issues last season, Williams still threw for 3,173 yards, rushed for 719 along with a combined 27 touchdowns. He will be throwing to some big, fast targets in Arrelious Benn (67 receptions, 1,055 yards in 2008) and AJ Jenkins (26.1 yards/catch as a freshman).

The Fighting Illini return their top three ……

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