By Matt Schulz
FANSonly.com

PASADENA, Cal. -- Still think John Cooper and Ohio State can't win the big game?

The 4th-seeded Buckeyes scored two unanswered touchdowns in the final 6:12 to knock off No. 1 Tennessee at the Rose Bowl, 24-23. Ohio State advances to face No. 2 Florida State for the national title in the Virtual Championship Series finals -- the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 4.

Down 20-3 entering the fourth quarter, Ohio State capped its dramatic comeback with a three-yard scoring run by Michael Wiley with 2:07 left. The run ended an 82-yard march that was kept alive by a 57-yard, third-down strike from Joe Germaine to David Boston.

That was the biggest completion in a huge day for Germaine (25-of-34, 274 yds, 1 TD and 0 INTs) and Boston (8 catches, 144 yards), bringing the Buckeyes to the Vols' eight-yard line. Two plays later, Wiley dove in for the score.

However, it took two long drives and two defensive stands to get the Buckeyes the win.

Ohio State stopped Tennessee's Travis Henry on third-and-two to get the ball back with three minutes remaining, setting up the game-winning drive.

Earlier, with the Vols leading 23-10, cornerback David Mitchell picked off Tee Martin (9-of-21, 143 yds, 0 TDs, 1 INT; 51 yds. rushing, 2 TDs) deep in Buckeye territory to keep the game within reach. Germaine then marched OSU 86 yards downfield. He finally connected with receiver Chad Cacchio to bring the Buckeyes within six points.

Still, before the fourth quarter began, this game appeared to be no contest. Two 20-yard runs by Martin and two field goals by John Hall gave Tennessee a 20-3 lead. It appeared that the Vols -- who struggled to win their first two VCS games -- would finally have an easy game. It didn't quite work out that way, though.