DaytonDailyNews.com

In December 2002, as the Ohio State football team prepared to play in its first Bowl Championship Series national title game, Buckeyes fans were buying up to three or four game-specific T-shirts and sweatshirts at a time. Retailers around the state had trouble staying stocked.

This year, things are different.

"Retailers I know and associate with, other Buckeye retailers, ordered it but very, very conservatively," said Kelly Dawes, owner of College Traditions, the popular OSU merchandise shop. "It's selling, but conservatively."

Each season, Dawes said, has been different. Leading up to OSU's 2003 championship game against the heavily favored Miami Hurricanes, fans wanted any memento they could find with a title game logo. Last year, when Ohio State was the big favorite, fans wanted to wait for the postgame merchandise to open their wallets. They, of course, never had the chance as Florida routed the Buckeyes.

Last year's outcome might be affecting this year's sales. Some fans are leery of their team playing another Southeastern Conference champion and could face embarrassment if they wear a championship game T-shirt after a defeat or wasted money if that shirt sits in their closets.

Dawes, a dedicated Ohio State fan, is counting on the large postgame sales to compensate.

"I'm expecting a pretty big after celebration," she said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389

or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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