DaytonDailyNews.com

COLUMBUS — Ohio State coach Jim Tressel encountered a few scoffers when he said last spring he thought his team was capable of another national title run — despite massive defections to the NFL. But no one is snickering now.

Although they have just two senior starters, the Buckeyes are back where they were a year ago.

"We really felt going into the year that we had a good group of kids," Tressel said. "We had a lot of work to do and experience to gain, but we felt good about our talent level. We're proud of what our kids have done."

Tressel's press conference Thursday drew a horde of out-of-town media, and he became a bit combative when someone pointed out that the perspective nationally about his team isn't very favorable.

"I'm sure if the 'national perspective' took a step back and looked at what the Ohio State football program has done recently, we can match up with anybody," he said.

OSU will be playing for the national title for the third time in six years, and it's the only Big Ten team to appear in the game since the inception of the BCS in 1998. And Florida State and Oklahoma are the only other schools to make three appearances.

The Buckeyes have won 30 of their last 32 games and have the nation's best win percentage since 2005, going 33-4 (.892).

Worthington: no sweat

Sophomore defensive tackle Doug Worthington had an inside view of two SEC programs and sees no reason for the Buckeyes to feel intimidated facing LSU.

"I was considering Florida and Alabama. Those were actually two visits of mine," he said. "I've seen the speed and I've seen what they have, and I feel we have just as much speed."

Wilson recovering

Defensive end Lawrence Wilson, who suffered a broken leg in the opener, has been doing agility drills and may be cleared for spot duty in the bowl game, which would pose a dilemma.

Tressel said the junior stalwart would be available for only 20 plays at most, and Wilson could gain another year of eligibility if he sits out.

Sophomore linebacker Ross Homan has missed most of the season with a toe injury and will seek a medical redshirt year.

OSU not interfering

Tressel said the Buckeyes haven't contacted any recruits they lost to Michigan now that Lloyd Carr has retired as coach. And he has some advice for those in Ann Arbor who seem to be panicked over the school's clumsy attempts so far to find a replacement: "Relax, they're going to get a great coaching staff," Tressel said.