Tressel must beat USC to keep OSU fans happy

Published Sep. 10, 2009 9:06 p.m. ET

foxsports

There's a very good reason he's never devoted so much as one idle thought to the pursuit of his own popularity.

Why worry about something that's always been as certain as the sunrise?

It's different now for Ohio State coach Jim Tressel.

Way different.

After 105 games, just into his ninth season, the man who's always had the majority of OSU fans in his corner suddenly seems backed into that very spot.

Make no mistake, Tressel will not acknowledge this tenuous perch in advance of USC coming to town for an 8 p.m. Saturday kickoff.

Likewise, there's no scientific way to measure his approval rating.

But the clear vibe in Columbus these days is that if he doesn't win Saturday against the Trojans, Tressel will — for the first time — inspire more grumbling than confidence among Buckeye Nation.

John Cooper, Earle Bruce and Woody Hayes all met this moment far earlier in their Ohio State coaching careers and all were eventually undone by it.

Tressel certainly won't be fired for losing this game, nor is he in any danger of being forced out any time soon — if ever.