COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Offensive tackle Taylor Decker doesn’t believe that Ohio State is an underdog to Oregon in the national championship game on Monday.
In fact, Decker refuses to recognize that anything so outlandish is even possible.
“I know Vegas or ESPN or whatever has us as a 7- or 9-point underdog or something like that but we are not,” Decker said, clearly agitated. “We are not an underdog. Ohio State is never going to be an underdog, and that is just how it is.”
Oddsmakers in Las Vegas have the Ducks as a 6 1/2-point favorite, a spread driven up from an initial straight-up pick by bettors backing Oregon. Many TV pundits also like Oregon to grab the inaugural playoff crown.
Meanwhile, the Buckeyes take it personally, privately and sometimes publicly seething while awaiting a chance to prove people wrong in a third consecutive game – the third of four games this season Ohio State will play as an underdog.