i disagree in how you downplayed the importance of this game. there is much more riding on this game than a national championship shot (which in itself is huge). the credibility of the big ten is on the line as well.
OSU has been beating up on the big ten competition for a good portion of the 2000's now, but on so-called "national" scenes, we supposedly haven't been able to deliver (although you can point to 2002, notre dame, fiesta bowls...i disagree with the media on this). if we get blown out, i think this sets the big ten a few years back, and no one will take the entire conference seriously, much like the acc.