Pryor, Harris headline enticing battle between Ohio State and Miami
Since taking over as head coach at Miami four years ago, Randy Shannon has pointed to 2010 as when the Hurricanes would be ready to compete for a national championship.
Such timetables are unacceptable at Ohio State, where fans expect coach Jim Tressel to contend every year, especially when he has a defense loaded with studs and a signal-caller groomed to become the next Vince Young.
High expectations and a high-level quarterback duel are the storylines at “The Horseshoe” on Saturday as No. 2 Ohio State (1-0) faces No. 9 Miami (1-0).
Much is at stake for quarterbacks Terrelle Pryor (Ohio State) and Jacory Harris (Miami). As juniors who have been in the lineup for two seasons, both are expected to blossom in 2010. Saturday’s winner could vault from Heisman Trophy candidate to front-runner.
“I think it’s a game that everybody wants to watch in America,” Shannon said via teleconference. “I think this will be a stepping stone for not just the players … but for both teams.”
Harris, a 6-foot-4 drop-back passer, got a taste of Heisman hype early last season when he engineered September upsets of Florida State and Georgia Tech. But the bandwagon crashed with a 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech. Harris finished the year with 17 interceptions.
Pryor, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound dual threat, has had his trials as well and has progressed slower than expected after arriving in Columbus as the No. 1 prospect in the nation. But his performance in a 26-17 Rose Bowl win over Oregon was Heismanesque.
“Every game is about maturity,” Pryor said. “Let’s see what happens next. I’m excited to play Miami.”
Pryor will have to deal with a Miami defense that lines up seven players who have been starting together since 2008, led by pass-rushing defensive end Allen Bailey (6-4, 285). The defense mirrors the progression of the team that went 5-7 in 2007, 7-6 in ’08 and 9-4 in ’09.
Harris will have his own problems dealing with defensive end Cameron Heyward (6-5, 290) and productive linebackers Ross Homan (108 tackles, 5 interceptions) and Brian Rolle (95 tackles).
“I don’t look at it as a challenge between me and [Pryor]. It’s a game between two teams, not individuals,” Harris said. “If we come out with this one, it sets the standard for the rest of the season.”
And perhaps, the Heisman Trophy.
