The 2007 season could have put an end to an annoying narrative.
I don't think many expected Ohio State to make a BCS title run in 2007. Jim Tressel's team was ranked No. 11 when the season kicked off, Troy Smith was gone, and no one really knew what to expect from Todd Boeckman. The junior from St. Henry had taken both a redshirt and a grayshirt – a rarity for a quarterback – before making his presence felt in Columbus.
The Buckeyes' resume included wins over four ranked opponents – Purdue, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Michigan – and an unexpected home loss against Juice Williams and the Fighting Illini.