I live right in between the two schools, closer to Pitt, so I have seen a lot of them both.
They are very similar teams. Both have very strong defenses, especially against the run, with somewhat weak secondaries. Both have solid, fast linebackers.
On offense, they are both grind it out sort of teams, with Pitt going for the big play a little more often.
However, the edge has to go to Ohio State for a few reasons:
1) QB--Krenzel is 3 times the qb of Rutherford. He makes zero mistakes and is a more accurate passer. Rutherford may be a little more dangerous out of the pocket, but not much. If Pitt had a better qb they beat Miami su. The underthrow in the third quarter was absurd, he had the guy beat by twenty yards and the ball was underthrown by 25. And the fumble didn't help either. The last play of the game wasn't a bad read, but to throw an uncatchable pass on fourth down with the game on the line is absurd.
2) RB--If Clarett is healthy, (a big if) OSU has a big advantage over Pitt.
3) Special Teams--OSU may have the best punter in the country. He puts inside the 20 everytime. He doesn't know what a touchback is. The fg kicker (name?) made like 20 some straight before last weeks misses.
Conclusion..
Ohio State is the better team than Pitt, but not by much. I think they can give Miami a run, if they get by Michigan (big if). Clarett will have seven weeks to heal up before the Fiesta Bowl and much like Pitt did, OSU will control the ball the whole game. If Miami doesn't get the big plays they had tonight they lose.
