As the clock ticks down to the start of the Fiesta Bowl, both the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Miami Hurricanes are anxious to kickoff of the national championship game.
“It is time to play the game,” said Miami coach Larry Coker. “Our players are tired of practice, as I am sure the Buckeyes are.”
OSU coach Jim Tressel said the Buckeyes practice facilities at Pinnacle High School were second to none and gave him a good feeling about his squad’s preparation for the game.
“I am very confident in how our guys feel about this game,” he said. “Now we will see if that turns into getting it done on Friday evening.”
Though the Hurricanes are favored by 12.5 point to win the game, the coaches said they feel both teams feel they are evenly matched.
“We never use the word ‘underdog’ unless we are talking about a blitz or something,” Tressel said.
Although his team is the heavy underdog, Tressel said he knows that any team can lose at any point.
“We’re vulnerable. Miami’s vulnerable. Every team that plays this game is vulnerable,” he said.
Coker said his team was focused more in itself than who is picked the win the game.
“We won’t address the underdog issue because it really won’t become a factor in this game,” he said. “As we know, the only thing we can really control is how well we play.”
Pregame, Coker and the rest of the Hurricanes will be leaving their assigned hotel, the Scottsdale Plaza Resort, so it can get away from all the distractions and focus on the game.
“We always do that,” he said. “As the families come in and all the press come in, the hotel really starts to become a buzz session. We want to get away from that for one night at least.”
To help the Hurricanes get ready for the game both mentally and emotionally, Miami puts together a highlight video for the team to watch before the game.
“It is a good motivational tool for the guys. They really like that,” Coker said.
Tressel is keeping his team at its assigned hotel, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort, because of the large amount of support the Buckeyes have received in Tempe.
“Our fan support on a daily basis is extraordinary,” he said. “It is amazing how many people travel this distance to see the game.”
Coker, who also coached Miami to a win in last year’s national championship game, said the Division I-A finale should be quite a change for Tressel, who previously coached in six Division I-AA championship games.
“This is different,” he said. “It is certainly not just another game. We both have a lot to win and a lot to lose.”
Despite Tressel’s inexperience at this level, Coker said he knows OSU’s coach will have his team prepared.
“Jim is very organized and very meticulous in everything that he does,” Coker said.
