Miami @ Ohio State preview
Ohio Stadium
The last time Ohio State and Miami played, it was for the national championship.
When the two team play this Saturday in Columbus in one of the prime early-season matchups, almost as much will be on the line.
The second-ranked Buckeyes, who beat Miami 31-24 in double overtime in the 2002 BCS championship game, have their eyes focused on reaching the BCS title game again.
A win over 12th-ranked Miami would set them up to go on a winning streak well before entering their Big Ten schedule on Oct. 2. A loss could derail their national title hopes long before they will play their next meaningful game against No. 11 Wisconsin on Oct. 16.
A victory for Miami, on the other hand, could propel the Hurricanes into the top 10 and into national championship discussion for the first time in several seasons.
Saturday’s game features two high-profile junior quarterbacks who opened their seasons in impressive fashion. It may be too early to declare Ohio State’s Terrelle Pryor or Miami’s Jacory Harris as Heisman Trophy hopefuls, but it’s clear both are top-flight players.
Pryor was 17-of-25 for 247 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-7 win over Marshall last week. The Buckeyes are 17-7 when Pryor throws for at least one touchdown.
Harris, who had offseason thumb surgery, went 12-of-15 for 210 yards and three TDs in just two quarters of play in a 45-0 thumping of Florida A&M.
Both teams also feature fast and hard-hitting defenses. Ohio State held Marshall to only 199 yards last week, including just 44 rushing yards. Miami had eight sacks and gave up just 155 yards to FAMU.
One key to this game may be Ohio State running back Brandon Saine, who had 103 yards and two touchdowns in only nine carries last week as the Buckeyes rushed for 292 as a team.
Miami has been suspect against the run in the past. The last team of consequence to play Miami was a running team from the Big Ten. Wisconsin, which tore through the Hurricane defense on the ground in a 20-14 win in the Champs Sports Bowl in December.
Both coaches – Ohio State’s Jim Tressel and Miami’s Randy Shannon – did their best to downplay any impact that the Buckeyes’ win in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl may have on this game. Ohio State won after a controversial pass-interference call on Miami in the first overtime extended the game and allowed OSU to force a second overtime.
Ohio State and Miami have met three times previously, with the Buckeyes holding a 2-1 series lead. Ohio State beat the Hurricanes in the 1977 season opener in Ohio Stadium, while Miami toppled OSU 23-12 in the 1999 Kickoff Classic.
Neither team reported any significant injuries. Ohio State defensive end Nate Williams (sprained left knee) should play, but Tressel is not sure how much.