I don't think that Ohio State would have faired any better than Illinois against USC. USC has as talented a group of receivers as LSU has (probably more so), and their defense is also dominating. USC was just starting to peak as the season ended, and entered the Rose Bowl healthier than they'd been in weeks.
The problem that the Big 10 has in general, and Ohio State specifically in this case, is that they are in denial of the reality that is modern college football. Dead and gone are Woody and Bo and the 5-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust game that they championed. The game has changed, and the Big 10 refuses to recognize this and change accordingly. Both Ohio State and Michigan have added speed over the years, but they still don't know how to use it to their best advantage.
Just a few illustrations and observations:
Ohio State is 0-7 against the SEC, with 6 of those 7 losses coming in the last 16 years, and already 2 of those losses coming in this century. Speed kills, but so does good coaching.
The only teams that Ohio State played that were ranked in the top 25 this year were all in the Big 10 and ranked #20, #23, and #25 at the time they played them. Ohio State's #1 defensive ranking came against teams no better than this. Is it any wonder why critics thought that the #1 ranked team should at least beat one good football team to get that #1 ranking?
The next best team in the Big Ten (Illinois) had four losses. The two top teams in the Big 10, Ohio State and Illinois, both got trounced in their bowl games by teams that were quicker & faster. Ohio State and Illinois were both out manned and out coached in those games. And, Illinois beat Ohio State as well.
The Big 10 teams played in 8 bowl games this year, and lost in 5 of the 8 games.
Sorry, but that's just the reality. Now I have to excuse myself while I go console one of my co-workers who's an Ohio State fan. I rooted for LSU and they won, but this guy's still a friend. I won't rub it in, and neither would he if the results had been different.
EDIT: In fairness, I have to credit Illinois for having thought outside the box in hiring Ron Zook as their coach. His experience at Florida, and his coaching philosophy in general is a breath of fresh air for the Big 10. It didn't go well for them against USC, but the Illinois program is still a few years away from top form IMHO. Kudos also to Michigan for having hired Rich Rodriguez away from West Virginia. He's a spread offense coach, and he should change the Wolverines style of offense considerably.