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NEW ORLEANS -- To a man, the Buckeyes insist they are focused. You were expecting something less?
It was the media's final opportunity to get up close and personal with players Saturday during 90-minute interview sessions conducted by both schools in the Superdome.
OSU quarterback Todd Boeckman consistenly fielded the same question -- time and again: "Do you feel you're prepared to handle the pressure of playing in a national championship game?"
Linebacker James Laurinaitis, defensive end Vernon Gholston and cornerback Malcolm Jenkins received similar treatment: "If there a good possibility this is your final game in a Buckeye uniform?"
Even Jim Tressel couldn't elude the scrutiny: "Is there really something to be said for the SEC's dominance of Ohio State?"
Boeckman acknowledged the significance of Monday night's BCS title matchup. "Obviously, we know what's at stake. But you can't let that fact overwhelm you. Though it's not just another game, we as players must treat it that way. For us, we just want to execute our game plan and let everything else take care of itself."
Ohio State's junior QB expresses little concern regarding his mental status at kickoff. "If you asked that question in weeks one or two, I might have reacted differently," Boeckman admitted. "You're running down the chute in Ohio Stadium, realizing you're the starting quarterback at one of the most prestigious schools in America. I had butterflies and was more than a little nervous."
However, a week three gut check followed in the Pacific Northwest where Ohio State battled the University of Washington. "That was tough crowd. Besides, we fell behind, so if there was a time for pressure, that had to be it."
Boeckman and the Bucks returned from a "beneficial" halftime regrouping to overtake the Huskies and win going away, 33-14. A watershed moment for OSU's first-year starter under center.
"I think settled in pretty well after that," Boeckman described. "Going into Purdue and Penn State and winning those games did wonders for my confidence. I may have taken a step or two backwards (vs. Illinois and Michigan) but I've spent hours (during the layoff) studying film. I really feel I'm well-prepared going into Monday's game."
All three of the Bucks' aforementioned juniors weren't abount to declare intentions 48 hours before playing in college football's finest setting.
"Wow! I'd have to say all my energy is geared toward LSU," smiled Laurinaitis. "They'll come a time (for sitting down and discussing my future). That time certainly isn't now."
Echoed Gholston: "I've been asked (that) question maybe more than what it's going to take to beat LSU," advised the Detroit native. "Privately, you give it some thought at times, but realize there's a higher goal in front of you." Gholston doesn't expect to make a final decision anytime soon. "I'm not gonna jump off the plane (in Columbus) and declare," he laughed.
Jenkins practically dismisses the thought, opting only to discuss his team's task at hand. "I think a lot of people think we're overrated, that we don't deserve to play (in this game), that we haven't played anybody all year, that we're slow. Whatever, whatever."
Tressel, meanwhile, seems to discount the theory of SEC supremacy. "I know we've lost these games (to the SEC), but every team is different. If you look back, most of the scores were highly competitive. The outcomes, in many instances, could have been reversed. Do we like being 0-for-whatever? Of course not. We're hoping to change that number Monday night."
BUCKEYE NOTEBOOK
OSU all-Big Ten tackle Kirk Barton insists it's no accident the Buckeyes are playing for a third BCS title in six years. "I know I'm biased but we have the best coach in America," he said referring to Tressel. "He made me feel at home the moment I first met him," Barton continued. "You come away from (that first visit) with such a favorable impression. Coach's record speaks for itself. And I don't feel there's a finer recruiter in America. One thing I'll miss most (about) graduation, is not being around Coach Tressel anymore in practice and on game days It's been special. All of us very badly want to win (this) game for him Monday night…'
IN ADDITION to Tressel, Bucks' defensive coordinator Jim Heacock recently received the prestigious Broyles Award, presented annually to the top assistant coach in the nation. Heacock, a Muskingum College grad, is completing his 12th season at Ohio State…
TRESSEL was asked to address the inordinate number of high-scoring games in the postseason. He feels it is a result of long layoffs and sloppy tackling which often ensues… The Bucks' seventh-year head coach dismissed the idea of attaining redemption with a win Monday. "I don't know if I embrace that concept," he offered. "If we could go back and replay that 2006 game, maybe there'd be some kind of redemption. But we can't do that now. This is 2007…"
Gibson can be reached at rgibson@timesleaderonline.com