NEW ORLEANS — Ohio State will play more than a football game Monday night in the Louisiana Superdome.

At stake is more than a national championship, if that is possible.

I believe that the Buckeyes will be playing for the image and overall health of the program for years to come.

Because of the lasting perception that this team is overrated and undeserving because of the 27-point loss to Florida last January 8, this BCS championship game becomes even more crucial.

In other words, this is a must win for the Buckeyes.

It really is.

Should Ohio State lose this game, and even worse if the outcome is not close, it could set the program back years.

Pollsters and the ESPN types would penalize Ohio State even further, if that is indeed possible, into the 2008 season. Too slow. Too soft. Too much of a Big Ten team. Can’t win the big games against the LSUs, Floridas and USCs of the college football world, the critics will say.

Should Ohio State lose again, the Buckeyes will not receive any benefit of the doubt in future polls, no matter their record. For proof, just realize that one Harris Poll voter, which affects the BCS standings, has Ohio State ranked No. 5 right now. Several others had the Buckeyes ranked third or fourth.

“This game is going to make or break our reputation for the next five years,” cornerback Malcolm Jenkins said. “I guarantee it.”

I do, too.

Jenkins is right. This game will carry ramifications into future seasons.

Should the Buckeyes win, all the negatives from the way the 2006 season ended will finally come to an end and their image as a football powerhouse will be restored.

“There’s a lot riding on this game,” Jenkins added. “Not just the national championship, but as far as the Big Ten, Ohio State…the whole reputation.”

If Ohio State wins, on the other hand, not only does it claim another national title — Jim Tressel’s second in seven seasons, but the critics will take the program seriously again for seasons to come — no matter what happens in 2008 or ‘09.

A BCS championship and impressive win over the Tigers would restore much of the luster lost off those silver helmets.

So this isn’t just a game just for the 2007 team. This is a game that will determine how people regard future Buckeye teams as well.

As far as Ohio State football history — going back 117 years — there may never have been a more important game than this one.

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