Urban Meyer has been playing up the role of the underdog with the Buckeye team as they get ready for tomorrow night’s Sugar Bowl Semifinal game against Alabama. Overall he feels the team is excited for the opportunity and he doesn’t have to motivate them beyond the excitement they already have. The Crimson Tide is favored to win the game by 9 to 10 points. They have won three of the last five national championships, so they have the experience of playing in a big game.

This year is different though, as this semi-final game has no real meaning except as a step to the national title game on the 12th. The other team in the title game will be the winner of the Rose Bowl, either Oregon or Florida State. Both Alabama and Ohio State lost games during the regular season and have been fighting uphill to regain their standings in the final four. Alabama climbed all the way to the top spot, being seeded at Number 1. Ohio State is the Number 4 seed.

Ohio State lost both their starting quarterbacks before the Big Ten championship match but was still able to win 59-0 with third string Cardale Jones behind center. Meyer praised players that performed will against Wisconsin for the Big Ten title, including Michael Bennett, Curtis Grant, Jeff Heuerman, Ezeikel Elliot, Vonn Bell, Darron Lee and Joey Bosa.

Alabama’s first string running back, TJ Yeldon,  has had hamstring issues as of late but has been involved in bowl preparation.

Kickoff is at 8:30pm on ESPN inside the Superdome.