DaytonDailyNews.com

If each team were allowed to choose one player, Les Miles would be happy to settle the national championship on a track. Trindon Holliday, a 5-foot-5 receiver, holds the LSU school record with a 10.02-second 100-meter dash.

"If we were racing," said Miles, the LSU coach, "I would bet I have one guy who might be faster than their guys."

Beyond that, Miles isn't too sure he has an advantage. Last season, when Ohio State lost the national championship game to Florida, the Gators' talent on both offense and defense overwhelmed the Buckeyes. Many felt the Florida players had too much speed for OSU, which looked slow-footed on the University of Phoenix Stadium field.

In the weeks leading up to Monday's BCS championship game, players and coaches have answered plenty of questions about the differences in speed between these teams.

"We're not racing," Miles said, "and I promise you when I watch that team there's no appreciable difference. They're as quality and capable and talented as any."

With two of the country's top defenses, Ohio State and LSU both utilize above-average quickness at the linebacker and defensive line positions, which has helped them allow fewer than 300 yards per game. Ohio State coaches have emphasized conditioning in practices since the end of the regular season with running in between drills.

"I think the team is a lot faster," OSU cornerback Malcolm Jenkins said. "I would hope that throughout all the training we did last winter and the summer that the people were getting faster."

Much of the problem for Ohio State last season involved protecting quarterback Troy Smith, who suffered pressure from Florida on almost every drop-back. The LSU players say they aren't counting on the same advantage.

"Everyone in Division I football is going to have speed," said Jacob Hester, an LSU senior running back. "We watched film on (OSU linebacker James) Laurinaitis today, and that guy gets to the ball as soon as it's snapped. Their defensive ends are just as fast as most people's linebackers."

Some wonder if Florida's advantage was its quickness or just brute football strength.

"We look at the film last year, and Florida out-toughened us," said Doug Worthington, OSU defensive lineman. "They got off the ball harder than we did. I don't really think you can think of it as speed."