As we head into the homestretch for preparation for next Friday’s Rose Bowl between No. 7 Oregon and No. 8 Ohio State, you have to look far and wide to find any national pundits who believe Ohio State has a chance.

Yes, longtime USC/Pac-10 lover Colin Cowherd of ESPN Radio fame has stepped forward and said he believes Ohio State will knock off Oregon in the Rose Bowl. But he is about the only one. Oregon is only a 3-1/2 point favorite to defeat Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. But by the looks of the predictions put out there nationally you wonder if the Buckeyes even have a chance. Hmmm.

Here is a sampling of some of the anti-Ohio State sentiment out there (and some of these folks not only see an OSU loss, but a lopsided one a that … yikes):

* USA Today College Bowl Preview – “Ohio State’s past BCS failures are being underlined: The Buckeyes are losers of three consecutive postseason games. But they haven’t played in the Rose Bowl in more than 10 years. Will that change the fortunes of the Big Ten champions?

“Then again, the same issues that haunted OSU – keeping pace with faster, more athletic and imaginative teams – are attributes that made Oregon a machine since the loss to Boise State. Oregon 35-17”

Out of eight staff members on USA Today’s panel, just two of them – Deborah Barrington and Steve Wieberg – picked Ohio State to defeat Oregon.

* Dave Curtis, The Sporting News – “Oregon wins. Ohio State RBs Dan Herron and Brandon Saine will control the clock and keep the Buckeyes in it. But OSU will have no answers for Jeremiah Masoli and the Oregon spread. The Ducks will hold on to the ball and win by two touchdowns.”

* Matt Hayes, The Sporting News – “Oregon wins. This just screams rout. Oregon has too many dynamic skill players (all of whom are peaking at the right time), and Ohio State won’t be able to keep up offensively. The Ducks will get ahead early, the Buckeyes will press and give away a couple of turnovers, and it will get ugly.”

* Albert Chen, Sports Illustrated – “The Big Ten rep has lost six straight in the Rose, and the Buckeyes have a three-game bowl slide of their own. The Ducks have too many weapons. Oregon 30-27”

* Pat Forde, ESPN.com – “Why to watch: Fabulous clash of styles as ubertraditional Buckeyes meet "Just Do It" Ducks. And Ohio State's No. 5 scoring defense meets Oregon's No. 7 scoring offense.

“Who's happier to be there: Mutual thrill. Oregon is in its first Rose Bowl since 1995. But surprisingly, Ohio State hasn't been there since '97.

“Moderately useful Dash fact: Oregon hasn't scored fewer than 37 points since Oct. 10, when it played in the Rose Bowl against host UCLA. Ohio State hasn't allowed 37 points since being embarrassed by Florida in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game.

“Completely useless Dash fact: In two trips to Los Angeles as coach of the Buckeyes, Jim Tressel (28) has seen his teams score a total of nine points (six versus UCLA in 2001, three versus USC in 2008).

“Dash pick: Oregon 28, Ohio State 21.”

* Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com – “An early look at the two top 10 teams in 2010.

“Big Ten, you're on the clock. You haven't won a Rose Bowl since the beginning of this decade. That's six consecutive Pasadena losses. Sure, USC has dominated. Sure, Texas was magic (by a point over Michigan in 2005). No excuses now.

“It's up to Terrelle Pryor to step up. Dude, it's the end of your second year. It's time for Ohio State to dominate against a legitimate opponent. That performance against USC doesn't look so impressive.

“Oregon might have the nation's best offense, not statistically, but to the naked eye. With the one-two punch of LeGarrette Blount and LaMichael James, quarterback Jeremiah Masoli should be free enough to go downfield.”

Dodd was among five experts who made picks on the CBSSports.com site. He picked Oregon along with three others. The only panelist to pick Ohio State was site editor Johnny Rosenstein.

* Stewart Mandel, SI.com – “Terrelle Pryor is poised for a big game on this big stage. And if any defense can slow down the Ducks' lethal spread-option offense, it's the Buckeyes'. They're fast, they're disciplined and they see the spread often in the Big Ten. But "slow down" is a relative term when it comes to Jeremiah Masoli (247.7 yards per game) and LaMichael James (123.0). The Ducks are going to score points, and shootouts aren't Jim Tressel's style. Oregon 33-30”

* CollegeFootballNews.com – Four of the five panelists pick Oregon to win the game. The lone dissenting voice is editor Pete Fiutak.