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CNN Live At Daybreak

Fiesta Bowl: Miami Versus Ohio State

Aired January 03, 2003 - 05:40   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well the Orange Bowl was the run-up to tonight's national championship.
And CNN's Josie Karp previews the Fiesta Bowl battle between Miami and Ohio State.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOSIE KARP, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Top ranked Miami has a 34-game winning streak and features two players who could of won the Heisman Trophy. The Hurricanes are also the defending national champions. All of this has led many to conclude that undefeated and second ranked Ohio State has no chance in the Fiesta Bowl. One versus two, the Buckeyes are 12-point underdogs.

BRETT ROMBERG, MIAMI CENTER: I think being the underdog is probably the better position to be in, especially this year, especially going against a team that hasn't lost in so long. They got -- it's not that they don't have anything to lose, they definitely have -- they have a national championship to lose.

MATT WILHELM, OHIO STATE LINEBACKER: I don't think at all we're going to play the role of spoiler, but I think we're very comfortable and we feel you know on Friday we're going to come out and really surprise some people.

TIM ANDERSON, OHIO STATE DEFENSIVE TACKLE: It's finally here and you know I think the biggest thing is the talk's over with. You know all the talk about Miami being this great team and the talk between individual players, you know it's all over with, it's going to be finally settled on the field.

KARP: For Ohio State to pull off the upset, the defense will have to take away some of Miami's numerous offensive options. Hurricane's quarterback Ken Dorsey is just as comfortable throwing the ball to wide receiver Andre Johnson or tight end Kellen Winslow as he is handing off to running back Willis McGahee. But the Buckeyes' strength is on defense, particularly against the run.

WILLIS MCGAHEE, MIAMI RUNNING BACK: There's one person on a -- on a tackle, there's like four or five more right there with him. So you know that's there -- that's the first thing I noticed about them. You know that's the first time I'm going to go against something like that.

KEN DORSEY, MIAMI QUARTERBACK: Hopefully we'll have an opportunity to get some big plays, but you know the important thing is being patient and hanging on to the football and not -- you know limiting the turnovers the best we can.

DARRION SCOTT, OHIO STATE DEFENSIVE END: Miami, they're impressive, but you know like any other team they can be stopped. I mean that's why you have game plans and whatnot. You make game plans you know to stop a team.

MIKE DOSS, OHIO STATE SAFETY: As a unit you know I think -- I think we're definitely going to be prepared; and as individuals, someone's going to have to make a big play. And that's -- that's what -- I just can't wait to see it and how it all plays out.

KARP (on camera): Ohio State hasn't won a title since 1968. Miami, of course, won one last year. But 16 years ago, the Hurricanes also played for a championship here at the Fiesta Bowl. The top ranked Hurricanes arrived in Arizona wearing Army fatigues and created a splash by talking tough. They then went out and lost to second ranked Penn State. That's a bit of history that could motivate both teams this year.

Josie Karp, CNN, Tempe, Arizona.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired January 3, 2003 - 05:40   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well the Orange Bowl was the run-up to tonight's national championship.
And CNN's Josie Karp previews the Fiesta Bowl battle between Miami and Ohio State.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOSIE KARP, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Top ranked Miami has a 34-game winning streak and features two players who could of won the Heisman Trophy. The Hurricanes are also the defending national champions. All of this has led many to conclude that undefeated and second ranked Ohio State has no chance in the Fiesta Bowl. One versus two, the Buckeyes are 12-point underdogs.

BRETT ROMBERG, MIAMI CENTER: I think being the underdog is probably the better position to be in, especially this year, especially going against a team that hasn't lost in so long. They got -- it's not that they don't have anything to lose, they definitely have -- they have a national championship to lose.

MATT WILHELM, OHIO STATE LINEBACKER: I don't think at all we're going to play the role of spoiler, but I think we're very comfortable and we feel you know on Friday we're going to come out and really surprise some people.

TIM ANDERSON, OHIO STATE DEFENSIVE TACKLE: It's finally here and you know I think the biggest thing is the talk's over with. You know all the talk about Miami being this great team and the talk between individual players, you know it's all over with, it's going to be finally settled on the field.

KARP: For Ohio State to pull off the upset, the defense will have to take away some of Miami's numerous offensive options. Hurricane's quarterback Ken Dorsey is just as comfortable throwing the ball to wide receiver Andre Johnson or tight end Kellen Winslow as he is handing off to running back Willis McGahee. But the Buckeyes' strength is on defense, particularly against the run.

WILLIS MCGAHEE, MIAMI RUNNING BACK: There's one person on a -- on a tackle, there's like four or five more right there with him. So you know that's there -- that's the first thing I noticed about them. You know that's the first time I'm going to go against something like that.

KEN DORSEY, MIAMI QUARTERBACK: Hopefully we'll have an opportunity to get some big plays, but you know the important thing is being patient and hanging on to the football and not -- you know limiting the turnovers the best we can.

DARRION SCOTT, OHIO STATE DEFENSIVE END: Miami, they're impressive, but you know like any other team they can be stopped. I mean that's why you have game plans and whatnot. You make game plans you know to stop a team.

MIKE DOSS, OHIO STATE SAFETY: As a unit you know I think -- I think we're definitely going to be prepared; and as individuals, someone's going to have to make a big play. And that's -- that's what -- I just can't wait to see it and how it all plays out.

KARP (on camera): Ohio State hasn't won a title since 1968. Miami, of course, won one last year. But 16 years ago, the Hurricanes also played for a championship here at the Fiesta Bowl. The top ranked Hurricanes arrived in Arizona wearing Army fatigues and created a splash by talking tough. They then went out and lost to second ranked Penn State. That's a bit of history that could motivate both teams this year.

Josie Karp, CNN, Tempe, Arizona.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com