Chicago Tribune
Tressel: OSU let Big Ten down
Buckeyes' coach rues performance in BCS title game
Published June 12, 2007
The debate over the relative strength of the Big Ten as a powerhouse football conference continues after Ohio State was stomped 41-14 by Florida in the BCS title game in January.
"There were a lot of things disappointing about that BCS championship game," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel told the Tribune. "The most disappointing thing was that we didn't feel we played to our potential.
"But one of the other things that was disappointing to me was the fact that we didn't represent the Big Ten like we should have. I have always felt that if you can get through the Big Ten schedule and get into that championship game, you should be set. And obviously our play didn't reflect that."
Michigan lost 32-18 to USC in the Rose Bowl, Purdue dropped a 24-7 decision to Maryland in the Champs Sports Bowl, Iowa fell 26-24 to Texas in the Alamo Bowl and Texas Tech beat Minnesota 44-41 in the Insight Bowl. Only Wisconsin and Penn State from the Big Ten came home with bowl wins.
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