DaytonDailyNews.com

Last season, the Ohio State football team was almost too comfortable when it arrived in Phoenix for the national championship game well before New Year's Day. The Buckeyes, after all, had played three of its past four bowl games in the area.

"People were talking about this place was a good place to go, and this place and that place," said Brian Hartline, the Ohio State sophomore receiver. "They know the main streets, they know everything. It was easier there to get unfocused because it's like the West Columbus of the USA.

"Of course, being there three of the past four years didn't help us. Being there for 10 days didn't help us."

The Buckeyes have altered their travel plans this season to arrive in New Orleans for the BCS championship game on Wednesday — five days before they face LSU. OSU players and coaches have all but admitted last season provided plenty of distractions before a blowout loss, which they hope to avoid this season.

That slight change in schedule has forced the bowl planning staff to alter how it will spend the $2 million it will receive from the participation payout to cover expenses. The school has said it has the necessary people in place to serve the team's needs.

"The thing we've always done with our players' schedule in bowl games is we'll meet with the seniors and we'll allow them to set the curfews and things like that after you fill in the blanks with all the different functions that you go to," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "We're only there a short time, we get there the 2nd. I think it'll probably be very structured."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389

or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Are you a big fan?

Do you love the Buckeyes? Is an Ohio State flag waving over your front porch? We're looking for the area's most fanatical Ohio State fans — and want to know how you'll be celebrating Monday's BCS championship game.

If you fit that description, contact Local News Editor Jim Dillon at (937) 225-2420 or jdillon@coxohio.com