Editor's note: ESPN.com college football analyst Jim Donnan is in Bristol to watch the Fiesta Bowl and take part in chat sessions, and will also be giving his observations here throughout the game.

8:15 p.m. ET: Right now, the players are having some quiet time and reflecting on what their job will be. They are trying to get their minds focused on what they can to to help win the game.

The coaches, on the other hand, are going over some key points. Most coaches have a checklist of what those points will be, and they are going over the most pertinent, pressing issues for each game.

And the fact that the crowd is dominated by Ohio State fans will have no effect on Miami at all.

8:20 p.m. ET: Here's how I break it down:

Miami Offense 
1. Run underneath routes to Winslow 
2. Mix up the stretch and counter with McGahee 
3. Take some early deep shots. 


OSU Defense 
1. Mix up the fronts and stunts early 
2. Force UM into long-yardage situations. 
3. Make good open field tackles. 


OSU Offense 
1. Win the battle on first down 
2. Avoid lost yardage plays and turnovers 
3. Emphasize misdirection and reverses. 


Miami Defense 
1. Force OSU into second and third and long 
2. Gang tackle Clarett 
3. Keep the ball in front of you. No big plays 


Kicking Game 
OSU has the edge, but the key is getting Miami into kicking situations. 


Prediction: Miami 35, OSU 10

8:35 p.m. ET: Early thoughts:

1. Krenzel showed more mobility than I thought he had, and OSU's pass rush has been what it needs against the 'Canes.

2. The Miami punt downed inside the one yard line is a huge turn in field position, and if the Buckeyes can't get a first down on the next series look for Miami to get an easy score.

8:50 p.m. ET: On the last series, Miami put together an excellent drive and Dorsey seems to be in sync. If Ohio State can't keep up the pressure it is going to be a long night, because the can't play man against these Hurricanes receivers.

OSU has done a good job against the run but is giving up too much against the pass. Ohio State will have to show some play-action.

9:00 p.m. ET: The stop after the turnover and that last first down were big for OSU. The Buckeyes can't miss opportunities against the 'Canes because Miami is like a volcano that could erupt at any time.

Jim Tressel has to open the playbook, Miami might want to use some screens to slow down the pass rush and it's obvious that OSU is committed to stopping the run. Both teams have had excellent special teams to this point.

9:15 p.m. ET: Good job by the OSU defense to create a turnover, and who would have thought that Krenzel would be the leading rusher for OSU?

If this game were high-scoring at this point I like the fake field goal call, but since the Buckeyes have held Miami pretty well to his point I would have taken the three points with Mike Nugent kicking.

It looks to me like the plays are getting to the QBs too late and that is what is causing all the delay of game penalties. Watch the play clock and you will see that OSU is getting to the line with less than 10 seconds to go.

Psychology 101: The failed fake was a big plus for Miami and a big minus for Ohio State.

9:32 p.m. ET: Psychology 102: The second interception of Dorsey takes the sting out of the failed fake, and the Buckeyes have to get some points on this possession.

9:36 p.m. ET: The fumble by Dorsey is a critical mistake for the 'Canes because the momentum now rests with the Buckeyes. Dorsey looks a little shaky and I would have called a run on the first play of that series.

As I said before the game, if Ohio State forces turnovers it has a chance and the Buckeyes now have their third scoring opportunity of the game following a Miami mistake.

9:39 p.m. ET: I like the adjustment Ohio State has made by going to more one-back sets with two tight ends to balance out the Miami defense. The Buckeyes are putting a hat on a hat and moving people.

The 'Canes are too fast for OSU to go with two-back sets, and those formations give the Hurricanes an extra defender against the run. Ohio State is doing a good job of recognizing that.

10:07 p.m. ET: Some second-half keys for both teams:

OSU
1. Continue to mix up the blitzes and coverages.
2. Utilize the one-back sets and play-action passes off them.
3. Don't play too conservative because Miami is going to come back with everything it has.

Miami
1. Use screens, draws and delays to slow the pass rush.
2. Make some adjustments defensively against the one-back sets.
3. Get the ball to Andre Johnson and Kellen Winslow.

10:18 p.m. ET: Miami has dug itself a deep hole and I give a lot of credit to Ohio State for taking charge of this game. If the 'Canes don't start making some big plays they are in deep trouble, and I'll be glad to eat plenty of crow.

When looking at deciding moments this game, Clarett stealing that interception back may be the play that saves the game for the Buckeyes. 17-7 looks a lot better than 14-7 with Miami holding the ball.

10:54 p.m. ET: This is why you play and coach college football. To come down to the fourth quarter and have a chance to win the national championship. All the conditioning, weight training and tough moments in the season lead to this moment.

In my opinion, OSU will have to score one more time and not sit on this lead. Miami has to continue to get the ball to Winslow, and this game will come down to someone on either side making a big play.

11:05 p.m. ET: First of all, I hope the injury to McGahee is not as serious as it looked, because he has been a tremendous force all year long. This could be a real emotional blow for Miami.

I cannot understand why the 'Canes got inside the 35 on the shoulders of Winslow and then went away from him three plays in a row before the missed field goal.

The game is now riding on Ohio State's offense getting a score and trying to salt this thing away.

11:37 p.m. ET: Football is a game of inches, and look at all the plays in regulation that were made by inches: Tipped passes, Clarett's steal of the interception, the near-catch by Gamble on the sideline, the put downed on the 1-yard line, the block on Parrish's punt return that set up the tying field goal.

Whichever team wins the toss will take defense first, and if I'm Miami I try to get the ball to my skill players as much as possible because the running game has done nothing all night. Ohio State needs to be patient and pound away at the 'Canes.

This game is a great showcase for college football and all of its pageantry and emotion. Ohio State deserved to win, but you have to give credit to Miami for making the plays that allowed it to get back into the game.

There are several things you talk to the players about in overtime: no penalties; make sure you fall on any fumbles on offense rather than trying to pick them up because a lost possession can cost you the game; play smart on defense, but if you are obviously beaten on a pass you better hold or interfere to break it up.

11:46 p.m. ET: I really liked Miami coming out in a wing formation in short-yardage. It was the first time they did that and it got them the first time. One of the toughest things in football is to score inside the 10, so look for Miami to maybe come back with the same play.

12:20 a.m. ET: Congratulations to the Ohio State Buckeyes on a tremendous victory, and to the 'Canes for playing their hearts out!

It is really amazing that the national championship came down to five different fourth-down plays, the final one resulting in a win for OSU and a loss for Miami.

Jim Donnan is a college football analyst for ESPN.com.