Miami center Brett Romberg has studied film of Ohio State’s defense. And though he has been impressed by what he has seen, he doesn’t think much of the Buckeyes’ speed.
“They’re good, of course,” Romberg said. “But I just don’t see the crazy speed. Honestly, I just don’t see defensive ends with crazy speed getting downfield like I see when we play Florida State.”
The top-ranked Hurricanes’ speed is expected to be a big advantage when they meet No. 2 Ohio State on Friday night in the Fiesta Bowl, site of the Bowl Championship Series title game.
It’s believed that Miami backup tailback Frank Gore is faster than Ohio State’s Maurice Clarett, whom Gore has been impersonating in practice for the last three weeks.
The Buckeyes’ official line seems to be that though Miami has a distinct edge in speed, it might not matter at Sun Devil Stadium.
“It doesn’t matter if you run a 4.1 [40-yard dash] on the track,” Buckeyes punter Andy Groom said. “This game’s being played on a football field.”
Don’t discount Krenzel: Much has been said about Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey’s 38-1 record as a starter. But Ohio State quarterback Craig Krenzel’s record is a not-too-shabby 14-1.
Krenzel, a 6-foot-4-inch junior from Sterling Heights, Mich., was named his team’s co-MVP, along with the versatile Chris Gamble. But he often has been overlooked this season, and that suits Krenzel fine.
“I don’t really pay attention to what other people have to say [about] me,” Krenzel said. “I don’t watch the news or read the paper.
I know I have the confidence in myself, and I feel that my teammates have that confidence in me. At the same time, I like being known as a smart player, a person who makes good decisions. I’m sure Ken Dorsey will tell you that’s what you need to win in this position. You need a quarterback who is not going to make mistakes and turn the ball over.”
How smart is Krenzel? He’s majoring in molecular genetics and hopes to attend medical school. His older brother, Brian, played football at Duke and is studying medicine at the University of Louisville.
Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel likes Krenzel’s ability to think on his feet.
“There are some people, I’m sure, who can do molecular genetics, but maybe they don’t think as well when Jimmy Kennedy of Penn State is chasing them,” Tressel said.
Ready to go: The weather has been delightful in the Valley of the Sun all week, but both teams are tired of sightseeing and practicing. They are ready for the game. Ohio State hasn’t played in 41 days, the Hurricanes in 27.
“I’m definitely ready for the game to get here,” Miami defensive tackle Matt Walters said. “We have been practicing for a month. . . . I just want to get it over with and go on.”
He said it: Columbus is in the heart of a football-crazed state. But Buckeyes safety Mike Doss said the NFL will never have a franchise there. “Columbus can’t have a pro team because Ohio State is the pro team,” he said.
