So maybe it's a month, maybe even a year, sooner than it ought to be, but don't be surprised if the regularly scheduled cataclysm between Ohio State and Southern California tonight doesn't crystallize into Terrelle Pryor's national coming-out party.

On prime-time television in the most compelling intersectional match-up of college football's hyper-pressurized season, the Jet from Jeannette would figure to have a primary role in an Ohio State offense that's gotten off on the wrong foot, specifically that of Chris Wells.

Wells, the galloping bell cow of coach Jim Tressel's run-centric offense, hurt his hoof against Youngstown State two weeks ago, leaving the Buckeyes with only one really conspicuous alternative tonight -- give Terrelle a lot more face time against a Trojan defense that's faster than Hollywood culture and almost as dazzling.

"Terrelle has a real passion to learn the game," Tressel said this week as OSU-USC hype went to warp speed. "And we've gotten him into the game some. I think he's trying to pick it up, and he has every intention of being a great quarterback. We love his work ethic, love his ability. He needs experience."

Much will turn on whether Tressel thinks a good place to get Pryor that needed experience is the Los Angeles Coliseum with most of the nation watching. At first glance, Tressel seems a little hesitant, doesn't he?

A week ago today, I was driving across Ohio listening to the No. 5 Buckeyes flop about on their own lawn in the face of intermittent pressure from Ohio University's poor little Bobcats. The PLBs occasionally turn up plucky, as when they beat Pitt in Athens a couple of years ago, but generally they get handled by the likes of Kent State.

With the third quarter winding down in Columbus, the Bobcats led the Buckeyes, 14-6, and only a pair of self-inflicted daggers from its own special teamers prevented the Green and White from securing an upset of rather staggering proportions.

"I don't think that has anything to do with anything," USC coach Pete Carroll told a conference call this week.

Maybe not, because in the course of that looming disaster, Tressel deployed Pryor on only eight offensive plays, the last four after Ohio State had recovered and secured a 26-14 lead late in the fourth quarter. In his first two college games, Pryor has been on stage for just 22 plays, gaining 89 yards on 14 rushes (6.4 per) and completing four passes in eight tries for another 35 yards. Roughly what he'd accomplish in the first half on the average WPIAL Friday.

"I expect to see him," Carroll said. "This guy is a really big-time player, another kid [like Wells] we tried to recruit. We gave it our best shot, but couldn't get him out of the east. He definitely has a style that's different than [starter] Todd Boeckman. He's a great running quarterback, as tall as Vince Young and I don't know if he's as fast but he sure looks like it."

If Wells can't go tonight -- and Tressel was characterizing him as doubtful late in the week -- Boss Buckeye shouldn't hesitate on Pryor. The fact is, Ohio State was probably going to lose tonight at full strength. USC has won seven games in a row against Big Ten opponents by an average of four touchdowns. USC has won the past five times these legendary programs have collided, with Ohio State not winning since the final Rose Bowl of the Nixon Administration.

But did somebody say Vince Young?

Oh yeah, before Vince Young became AFC Mope of the Week with the Tennessee Titans, his Pryor-like speed absolutely blistered Pete Carroll's defense in a little affair called the BCS National Championship Game Jan. 4, 2006, just 17 miles north of the collision tonight in that very Rose Bowl. That night, when he wasn't throwing for 247 yards, Young ran for 200, the last eight of them with 19 seconds left to lift Texas to a 41-38 victory that snapped USC's 34-game win streak.

With a similar skill set, even given his thin collegiate resume, Pryor might be OSU's best hope tonight, but I wouldn't look for any evidence that Tressel thinks so, at least early in the proceedings.

"Todd [Boeckman] is certainly a leader of the football team," Tressel said. "He stepped in last year and did a real solid job. He was ranked in the top 10 nationally in efficiency. He continues to improve and continues to be a good leader, an excellent leader. He has already graduated and is now about three terms into his post-graduate work."

Boeckman can likely lead the Buckeyes to a highly efficient two-touchdown loss tonight. With Pryor, it might be worse, but Tressel ought to try to find that out fast. What is there to lose? Oh, the national championship. But wouldn't you like to do it now rather than in January again?