Redemption song

Click here for five reasons why LSU will win

Earlier this season, the numbers "4114" served as the key pad code to enter Ohio State's practice facility. The team whose reputation had been drastically altered by those very numbers hasn't had to look hard to find motivation after the debacle in the Arizona desert last January.

Last year's 41-14 BCS title-game loss to Florida has been the basis for every knock against a fabled program and a conference that has been written off as nothing more than slow and plodding. On Monday night, Ohio State will make a repeat title game appearance, against LSU, and redemption is weighing heavy on these Buckeyes

"I look at it as if we're an army going to battle for Ohio State pride once again," running back Chris "Beanie" Wells said.

While coach Jim Tressel may, at least publicly, be a little gun shy about using the "R" word as motivation -- telling beat writers in mid-December, "I don't know if I embrace redemption" -- he sent his players home for Christmas break with a gift that reeks of it. Tressel had the team's video coordinator put together a 10-minute DVD that opened with the Gators celebrating on the University of Phoenix Stadium field after last year's title win and followed with a montage of talking heads belittling the Buckeyes and saying they don't belong in New Orleans

The message was well received.

"Obviously you watch films like that and you realize just how much everybody hates you," offensive tackle Alex Boone said. "But at the end, who cares? Who cares what anybody thinks but us. This is our team. None of those people are going to play come Monday night."

Knocking off the Tigers would go a long way toward debunking the Big Ten's inferiority, while a loss would only strengthen that theory (and turn that DVD into college football's version of The Ring). Can OSU pull it off?

Here are five reasons why the Buckeyes will be hoisting the crystal football on Monday night:

1) Speed? Believe it or not, the Buckeyes do have it. Ohio State can indeed run, but the Gators' quick defensive line had its way with the Buckeyes (who can forget a helmetless Earl Everett chasing down Troy Smith) last year. While everyone seems to be expecting LSU's Glenn Dorsey-led front to cause similar problems, don't forget that the Tigers, who allowed 29 sacks, will have their hands full with Ohio State's equally fast defense.