UT jaded, Ohio State pumped

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Last month, Longhorn fans gathered in front of their televisions as the Bowl Selection Committee announced who would go to the National Championship game. None other than former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer spoke with a huge smile on his face as he said it would be the University of Florida and the University of Oklahoma. This meant Texas had fallen to No. 3 and was going to another bowl game.

"Everyone knows our team is better," said Jackie Acker, a UT student. "Our guys deserved to get the respect they have earned, and I am disappointed they didn't."

"I am proud of this year's team and very disappointed that they will not have the chance to compete for the National Championship," said Chris Huffman, a UT fan. "Only one loss, on the road, Neither team playing in Thursday night's game can say the same. Not to mention the head-to-head win on neutral field against OU. What a travesty."

Texas accepted a bid to the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona and will play Ohio State, who accepted an at-large bid of their own. Yet, these two storied football schools with large fan bases have encountered something different this post-season as tickets are not in high demand. Some Texas fans are still upset about not going to the National Championship.

"I'm feeling rather jaded about the whole tiebreak situation," said Matt Jancaitis, a UT alum. "I don't think it's what's preventing me from going, but it has prevented me from caring too much about college football in general lately."

Ohio State fans feel differently about the Fiesta Bowl bid.

"We are all pretty exited to be there," said Eric Birmingham, an Ohio State fan. Birmingham feels that Ohio State has a great chance of winning the game. "I think it will depend on a lot of factors, but I would give us a 50 percent chance right now. It seems no one is giving us a chance, which I think is our biggest advantage."

Although Ohio is one of the hardest hit states by the worsening economy, that is not the main reason fans are not going to the game.

"I know my dad had tickets and gave them away," said Birmingham. "I don't know if it was a money thing as much as a time and effort."

Fiesta Bowl tickets are selling on eBay as low as $40 and as high as $500 for a suite. With many options for watching the game at home, fans do not need to be in the stands to support their team.

"I will say, I think as technology gets better, the average fan is becoming less likely to travel long distances to see a game they can watch in the comfort of their own home," said Birmingham.

Because of this, many UT fans are more interested to watch the game Monday night on a couch than to trek all the way to Arizona. It is about 1,676 miles from Columbus, Ohio to Glendale, Arizona versus about 1,019 miles from Austin to the University of Phoenix stadium.

To keep up with KXAN Austin News sports team and their journey in the desert, follow the Sports Desk blog. The game is Monday at 7 p.m. CST on Fox Sports.