Ohio State, Texas seek redemption in Fiesta Bowl

The Fiesta Bowl's title sponsor - Tostitos - could not be more appropriate this year, as both competing teams touched down Monday in the Valley with huge chips on their shoulders.

Both Ohio State and Texas are seeking redemption, the former from convincing defeats in each of the last two Bowl Championship Series title games, the latter from being shut out of this year's title contest, despite beating the Red River rival that will play for No.1.

"We're ready to move on," Texas receiver Quan Cosby said. "We're disappointed, but there is a lot that we have to prove. Every game, we have a lot to prove, and that is the way we are approaching it."

The teams play on Jan. 5 at University of Phoenix Stadium.

"The most important thing is making sure that we represent Ohio State and the Big Ten well," coach Jim Tressel said. "It's an honor and privilege to be chosen for the Fiesta Bowl. There's a lot of teams that were not chosen. I think we feel that pressure, but it's not something we talk about every day."

The Fiesta Bowl has been good to 10th-ranked Ohio State (10-2), which has won its last four appearances in the game - including a 2003 victory against Miami (Fla.) that netted a national title. However, the Buckeyes' appearance in the inaugural BCS title game in Glendale two years ago started their reputation slide, as heavily favored OSU was drilled by Florida.

Last year, Louisiana State finished No.1 with a rout of the Buckeyes, and from the beginning of this season, one sentiment was clear: Anyone but OSU in the championship game. Losses against Southern California and Penn State did little to help the Buckeyes' big-game reputation.

"The last two years, we haven't shown up and played like we needed to," safety Kurt Coleman said. "This year, it's a whole new team. I think we'll be able to change the perception (against Texas)."

The third-ranked Longhorns went 11-1 and finished in a three-way tie for first in the Big 12 South Division with Oklahoma and Texas Tech. The fifth tiebreaker - the BCS standings - lifted the Sooners, whom the Longhorns beat in October, into the conference championship game. Oklahoma won to advance to the BCS title game against Florida.

"We were disappointed with the way that worked out," said quarterback Colt McCoy, the Heisman Trophy runner-up to Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. "We felt like we had done what we could all year long to have an opportunity to play for (the national title). But that's not how it turned out, and great teams have to overcome that."

Ohio State will practice at Phoenix Pinnacle High School. Texas will work out at Scottsdale Community College.