Buckeyes first to arrive
PHOENIX (AP) -- Ohio State arrived for the Fiesta Bowl still glowing from the memory of an impromptu send-off in Columbus and unconcerned about their underdog status against No. 1 Miami.
The second-ranked Buckeyes (13-0) are 13-point underdogs against Miami in the national championship game on Jan. 3. They arrived a day ahead of the Hurricanes (12-0), who won last year's title by routing Nebraska 37-14 in the Rose Bowl.
"Any time you experience things, that's an advantage," coach Jim Tressel said. "But one thing about our guys playing and coaching at Ohio State is that it's a media blitz everyday. I remember my first summer on the job -- I picked up a newspaper on July 15, and they had an in-depth discussion of how we were going to be on the offensive line. That's the way it is in Columbus."
Big sendoff in Columbus
Buckeyes mania manifested itself Thursday morning, when Tressel got a call asking if the team could make a detour through the city's business district on the way to the airport.
"It was probably 25 [degrees] or colder, and it was amazing how many people came out of their office buildings and so forth and were lined along the streets," Tressel said. "That was exciting. You know, it's a reminder that we don't just represent ourselves."
Supporters wore Buckeyes hats and waved Ohio State flags as a bitter wind made it feel colder than 25 degrees.
"This is amazing, for a college level," said Praveen Bell, as he looked in wonder at the growing numbers lining the street outside his downtown office during his lunch break.
The players waved back as their charter buses barely slowed down when they passed, and a handful pointed video cameras from inside the bus windows.
"When you're a Columbus resident, you're part of the Buckeyes," said Judy Smiley, 60, who watched from a marble planter with her 5-year-old granddaughter and the 8-year-old daughter of a friend.
"They've got a karma about them, and we're going to win," added Smiley, who's flying out to Tempe on New Year's Day with her husband and son.
"We need three tickets!" she said.
The Buckeyes won their last undisputed national title in 1968. Ohio State is the first Big Ten team to play in a Bowl Championship Series title game since the BCS began in 1998.
Last time they met
Miami's speed was the deciding factor in a 23-12 victory over Ohio State in the 1999 Kickoff Classic, the last meeting for the high-profile programs.
The Hurricanes have a 34-game winning streak -- evidence that they haven't slowed down, and one reason they are heavy favorites.
"You never hear anything in our locker room as far as where we're ranked or are in the spread, or whatever, in terms of any game," Tressel said. "I think our guys did a good job of just going to work and trying to get as good as we could get, and that's all we could expect of ourselves: Play the best we're capable of playing, and we'll see how that bears out."
All-American strong safety Mike Doss, who had a career-high 98 tackles this season after fighting off the temptation to leave school early for the NFL draft, said the oddsmakers are overlooking the heart of his team.
Buckeyes believe
"We believe in ourselves," Doss said. "We've believed in ourselves all season. We had a goal in the preseason and worked each week to accomplish that goal, and I think our team is going to work hard this week. We know this is the last game for us.
"It's a national championship and on a national stage -- probably even a worldwide stage -- and we just want to be prepared and go out there and have a great game."
Tressel said 75 to 80 players were aboard the team's flight, while another 25 were traveling to Phoenix from various points after spending Christmas Day with their families.
Both teams will stay at resorts in Scottsdale, another east-side suburb. The Buckeyes will practice at Phoenix Pinnacle High School in the Paradise Valley area just west of Scottsdale, with Miami at Scottsdale Community College.