DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — Dylan McDermott of Centerville was once an Ohio State fan, and meeting former OSU star Archie Griffin remains one of his biggest thrills ever. But the

12-year-old Tower Heights Middle School student has a new favorite team.

When he takes his seat in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to watch the Buckeyes face top-ranked Southern Cal tonight. Sept. 13, Dylan will be rooting for Griffin's alma mater to get smashed.

"I started liking (USC) because their helmet was pretty cool. I like their jerseys. And I like (ex-running back) Reggie Bush," he said. "Then I decided to not like OSU. They get a bit disappointing because they go to the national championship game and lose big-time."

Dylan and his father, Tom McDermott, a computer software salesman, are among scores of area residents making the trek to L.A. The elder McDermott was promised two tickets a year ago by a customer with eight USC season tickets, but the Trojan fan might not have been so quick to make that offer if he had known how big the game would become.

"He called me last Monday and said, 'Tom, are you still coming?' "

McDermott said. "I said, 'Yeah, I've got airline tickets and we'll be there.' He said, 'I had no idea what I gave you last year. I've got people calling me from all over the place wanting tickets.' "

The McDermotts are divided — dad is a big Buckeye backer — but they won't have a problem sitting together.

Asked what he'd do if OSU springs an upset, Dylan said, "I'd be punching my dad — playfully punching."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125

or

dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.