OHIO STATE NOTEBOOK From the Fiesta Bowl

Discounting favorite's talk: Miami defensive coordinator Randy Shannon won't have anything to do with the talk of the Hurricanes being heavy favorites. "It's hard to beat Ohio State; they don't make mistakes," he said Monday. "We won some close games this year. When you look at Ohio State, it's the same way. Everybody says we're fast and this and that. Ohio State has great players, too."
Goodness Sikes: All-Big East safety Maurice Sikes, a junior, was asked Monday if Ohio State had the most conservative offense he's seen this season. "I wouldn't say it's conservative. They do their plays that makes them effective. They have a big play and they go with the big play with their receivers. I wouldn't necessarily call them conservative." Well, then, the question was asked, what would you call them? "A good football team," he said. "They do what it takes to win."
On tap: Today is media day at Sun Devil Stadium. All players and coaches from both teams will be available. Later, the Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade will be held and the Tempe Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Block Party from 4 p.m. past midnight. The Buckeyes and Coach Jim Tressel will conduct a clinic at a local Salvation Army youth center before the team practices from 4-to-6 p.m. (EST). The 'Canes will practice from 3:30-to-5:30 p.m. (EST).
Fans coming in: Sky Harbor International Airport was filling with Ohio State fans throughout the day ... and there were a few 'Canes fans milling about, as well. Estimates of a 5-to-1 advantage in Buckeye fans are expected.
Kind words for Butch: Former Miami coach Butch Davis, who has guided the Cleveland Browns into the NFL playoffs in just his second season, was fondly remembered by two Hurricanes. "I knew he was going to turn their program around because he turned ours around," said junior inside linebacker Jonathon Vilma. "He recruited me [and] gave me an opportunity here," added senior defensive tackle Matt Walters. "We always expected him to do a great job [with the Browns]. We know how he prepared and coached."
Daily reports: Listen to WHOT-FM (101.1) for daily reports from the Fiesta Bowl, and to WBBW-AM (1240) Thursday on John Caparanis' show, "A Tip of the Cap" at 4:30 p.m.
Rob Todor