A smarter way to bet

By RUSTY MILLER
AP Sports Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio(AP) -- Ohio State is 40-8 over the past four
seasons, a record that might have most fans of the 15th-ranked
Buckeyes flush with confidence heading into Saturday's game at
No. 11 Penn State.

It shouldn't.

The last six times the Buckeyes have played a team as good or
better based on rankings, they've lost. No one has to tell the
players, either.

"I haven't led us to a big win yet," said quarterback Terrelle
Pryor, a central figure in the past three big-game losses. "The
quarterback has to lead. And I haven't led in a big game."

Ohio State (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) has lost its only game this year
against a ranked opponent, then-No. 3 Southern California. A
year ago, the Buckeyes lost marquee matchups with No. 1 USC, No.
3 Penn State and No. 3 Texas, losing to the Longhorns in the
last minute of the Fiesta Bowl. In 2007, the only top-20 team
they played was No. 2 LSU, which rolled over the No. 1-ranked
Buckeyes 38-24 in the BCS national championship game in New
Orleans.

The big-game drought started in a big way with the 2006 national
title game. Ohio State came in unbeaten and No. 1 but was dusted
by No. 2 Florida 41-14.

There has been more grumbling from Ohio State fans about the
failings in high-profile games. Coach Jim Tressel, who could
seemingly do no wrong in big games early when he started in
Columbus, now is questioned about every facet of his
preparation, philosophy and play-calling in the biggest games
now.

"We try not to worry about the people who are talking on the
outside," tailback Dan "Boom" Herron said.

Despite the criticism and questions, the players say none of the
pervious losses has any effect. They say they are coming to
Happy Valley ready to win.

"From a team standpoint, from inside the locker room, we're
confident about the offense," wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher.
"Obviously, there's always going to be talk about, 'Oh, you guys
play in spurts' or 'You don't perform well in big games.' But we
are always a confident team and we know what we can do and we
have the players to do it."

It's not as if Penn State has swept through its biggest games.
In its only game against a top-tier opponent this season,
then-unranked but unbeaten Iowa topped the Nittany Lions 21-10.
Penn State closed out last season with a 38-24 loss to No. 5 USC
in the Rose Bowl.

The stakes are high for both teams Saturday, with the loser most
likely eliminated from the Big Ten race and a BCS bowl. It won't
get easier for Ohio State the following week, with No. 8 Iowa
visiting.

"The consequences of winning or losing are obvious to everybody,
but you can't go at it that way," coach Joe Paterno said. "We've
got to concentrate on doing the best we can against Ohio State.
It's not going to be an easy situation for us because they are
solid. We've got to just say, 'Let's play it,' 'Let's go out
there and have a little fun,' and 'Let's not beat ourselves."'