Buckeyes can't play man-to-man

That's another story. And when it comes to Saturday's game in the Coliseum, that's the story.

In varying forms, I've been hearing Small's comments since Tressel and Carroll were both hired eight years ago.

It's as if Ohio State folks believe they invented the game, while USC has only exploited it.

Ohio State plays football, USC entertains with it. Ohio State teaches football, USC taunts with it.

Blah, blah, blah.

This condescending attitude is so prevalent in Ohio that this summer, even former Trojan Carson Palmer, who works in Cincinnati and never criticizes anybody, couldn't help himself.

"I cannot stand the Buckeyes," he said in an interview on 570-KLAC.

The words of Palmer and Small echo the perceptions of thousands.

This game is about those perceptions.

It's more than a football clash, it's a culture clash.

It's about a Buckeye nation not used to giving respect against a Trojan nation that cannot stand to be disrespected.

"They'll come out here on Saturday and find out who we are," said defensive tackle Fili Moala.

It's about a button-down program that feels entitled against an open-collar program that eats entitlement.

"We don't care what anybody thinks," said USC safety Kevin Ellison. "We're gonna play football against them on Saturday."

Carroll refused to enter the Small scrum, saying, "He's just one kid, what does he know?"

Tressel, in his conference call with USC reporters, also downplayed it Tuesday, saying, "Obviously it wasn't a good thing, but he's a good kid."

But this will not be forgotten. The Trojans won't talk much about it, but they also won't forget it.

Just ask Nebraska defensive back Andre Jones, who ripped USC before the 2006 game, and was promptly challenged on the field by Dwayne Jarrett, who beat him for a touchdown in a 28-10 Trojans win.

Or just ask Cal receiver DeSean Jackson, who ripped USC or its players in consecutive years, and was manhandled both years, seven catches total.

The Trojans will take this personally. Ohio State will see. Small will see.

What that unnamed Trojans coach told him on his recruiting trip three years ago, it will be true again Saturday.

It's 'bout to get hectic.

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Bill Plaschke can be reached at bill.plaschke@latimes.com. To read previous columns by Plaschke, go to latimes.com/plaschke.