Ohio State seems to be on downslide entering Fiesta Bowl

As an encore to last season's improbable run to the national title, many well-informed observers assumed it was a foregone conclusion that Ohio State and coach Urban Meyer would be part of college football's four-team extravaganza again this season.

But outside of an 18-point victory at Virginia Tech to open the regular season and a four-touchdown thrashing of Michigan to end it, the Buckeyes rarely seemed to find their strut.

For 10 games, Ohio State was able to bob, weave and dodge an outmanned slate of opponents. On Nov. 21, the posse caught up to the Buckeyes, as 11-point underdog Michigan State, playing without star quarterback Connor Cook, knocked off Ohio State 17-14 in the rain on a last-second field goal.

Ohio State and Notre Dame are paired in one of the bowl season's top attractions in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day, but it is difficult to envision the Buckeyes being totally emotionally invested despite the programs' storied histories.

Ohio State tailback Ezekiel Elliott has one eye on the NFL, defensive lineman Adolphus Washington will not play due to a criminal charge, and the Buckeyes cannot be trusted when they were preparing for an eventual national championship at this time last year.

Notre Dame, which was riddled by injuries all season, is expected to get some key pieces back by Jan. 1, and I like the Fighting Irish plus-6½ points against the Buckeyes.

Six more plays for the bowl season:

Miami Beach Bowl, Monday

South Florida (+3) over Western Kentucky — After a 6-18 record in his first two seasons, Willie Taggart's third year as coach at South Florida seemed to be headed down a similar path as the Bulls stumbled to a 1-3 start. But the switch flipped and South Florida righted its ship, covering eight of its past nine games. Western Kentucky failed to cover all three games this season against Power Five opponents and should have difficulty containing the Bulls' running game headlined by tailback Marlon Mack.

Pinstripe Bowl, Dec. 26

Indiana (-2) over Duke — The Blue Devils are playing in their fourth consecutive bowl game, while Indiana is in a bowl for just the second time in 22 seasons and first since 2007. Duke received a pair of setbacks when offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery took the East Carolina head coaching job, followed by the announcement that all-everything safety Jeremy Cash would not play in the bowl due to injury.

Armed Forces Bowl, Dec. 29

Air Force-California (Over 66½) — The Golden Bears' run defense ranks No. 103 (203.5 yards per game/4.8 yards per carry) in the NCAA and now must match up against Air Force's unfamiliar option attack. But the Falcons do not possess the players in their defensive back seven to defend athletic passing attacks. Look for lots of offensive fireworks in what could turn out to be one of the bowl season's most entertaining contests.

Russell Athletic Bowl, Dec. 29

North Carolina (+2½) over Baylor — Bears coach Art Briles said this week that freshman backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham was likely a no-go. With Stidham and top gun Seth Russell likely watching from the sidelines, Baylor will once again turn to third-string quarterback Chris Johnson, whose overall play has been spotty at best. The Bears fell short of the playoff, and the Tar Heels figure to be more interested in this setting.

Belk Bowl, Dec. 30

Mississippi State (-5) over North Carolina State — Mississippi State closed the regular season against SEC West heavy hitters Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi and now meets a mid-level ACC team. Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott's Heisman Trophy hopes never got off the ground, but expect the physical gamer to put an exclamation point on his college career.

Sugar Bowl, Jan. 1

Mississippi (-7) over Oklahoma State — Oklahoma State was overrated late in the season and ultimately got exposed, losing its last two games at home — by 10 points to Baylor and 35 points to Oklahoma. The Cowboys' leaky defense gave up an average of 43.2 points the last five games and faces a talented Mississippi team ranking in the top 15 in both scoring offense (40.3) and yards per play (6.6).

Season: 37-38-6 against the spread

Paul Stone of VegasSportsAuthority.com is providing college football analysis for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.