Kurt Coleman

Ohio State can change a lot of history with a win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl Friday (5 p.m., ABC).

The Buckeyes can end their own six-game losing streak to top-10 teams as well as their own three-game bowl losing streak. Plus, Ohio State can snap a six-game Big Ten losing streak in the Rose Bowl that covers 10 years. (The Big Ten’s last win in Pasadena on New Years’ Day was when Wisconsin downed Stanford 17-9 on Jan. 1, 2000.)

OSU safety Kurt Coleman was asked why the Big Ten has struggled so much in the Rose Bowl.

“They have played some good teams,” Coleman said. “USC has dominated this game for however many years. They have dominated this game every time they come here. I think the Big Ten has kept it to close games. They just haven’t been able to finish it off.”

Ohio State’s national reputation has taken a big hit as the Buckeyes suffered through the lopsided losses to Florida, LSU and USC as well as more recent heartbreakers to Penn State and Texas last year and this year’s USC loss.

In those last three tight losses to top-five teams – all by a combined 13 points – the Buckeyes have been one or two plays away from pulling off a breakthrough win. They hope they can scale that final hurdle and win a big game this time around.

“We were there the last USC game and in the Texas game we were there knocking on the doorstep,” senior defensive tackle Doug Worthington said. “They were all competitive games and the national championship games were tough teams and a lot of things went their way and we have been behind and looking kind of awkward in those games to a certain extent if you ask me but this is another opportunity.

“It is my last opportunity and I want to make the best of it and just going out there and preparing well like we have been doing is the biggest thing we can do as far as now. This is just something that I am so ready for and I think the whole team is.”

Junior tailback Brandon Saine said it is tiring for fans and the media to rub OSU’s recent record in the biggest games in their face.

“Yeah, it stings a little bit. We were close last year against Texas. But it’s a new year and every game is different. You can’t take anything from what’s happened in the past.”

Coleman, a senior co-captain and the team’s MVP this season, said he and his classmates hope to change that legacy with a win in their last game.

“Those were all disappointing losses,” he said. “Texas being one of the heartbreaking losses that I have been through and I think that was one of my major factors in coming back for another year. I wanted to come back and leave as a champion, and I think this is one last thing in the blocks that I need to build.

“The work speaks for itself. We haven’t won for the last however many big games, so it is going to be important for us to go out and show the nation that we can compete and I think we have been able to do that. I just think we have shot ourselves in the foot a couple times. We are ready to go out there and we are preparing to go out there and have a good battle.”

OSU coach Jim Tressel said what happened previously has no bearing on what will happen on Friday.

“We don’t spend a whole bunch of time thinking about (the past),” he said. “We are usually forward thinkers.”

Senior tight end Jake Ballard said he and his teammates are enjoying their time in California, but they know the real reward would come with a win on Friday.

“It’s definitely up there, being out here in California and practicing at the great practice fields at the Home Depot Center and being a part of the Rose Bowl,” Ballard said. “It is something special and something we won’t forget for a long time.

“Everybody on this team knows we haven’t experienced a lot of bowl wins. Some of the fifth-year guys won one. I’ve never won a bowl game. None of the four-year seniors have. We talk about it a lot and we talk about the Big Ten getting respect.

“We feel like we have improved a lot from early in the season and we’re ready for the challenge. We know we’re out here for business. We’re taking practice very seriously and we are working very hard to end that streak.”

Coleman predicts another tight game when the Buckeyes and Ducks collide.

“I think it’s going to be a tough game,” he said. “I think it will come down to who can win the battle on the line of scrimmage. If our defensive line can hold up, I don’t think they’ll be able to rush the ball. If our O-line and D-line do what they’re supposed to do, it should be a really great game.”

Sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor said he is watching extra film on Oregon this week in order to try and send the seniors out with what would be a school record-setting 44^th win in four years.

“It’s a must-win,” Pryor said. “That’s why I watch (extra) film every day. I try not to wear out my brain. I watch enough to know about them. We have a good picture of them. This is big for the Big Ten as a whole. It’s big for us because we’ve lost three in a row. That’s just utterly embarrassing. We need it for Coach Tressel and the staff. It’s just huge. Even some of the (Big Ten) teams we would play would say, ‘Go win for us. Go get that win.’

“We won some big games this year. We came through in the clutch when we needed it. In the past, we haven’t played good against top teams. This is a different situation, though. I have grown up and I am a leader on the offense. Our defense is very good. As a team, we are so close together. We won’t shy away from anybody. We’ll be ready to play.”