The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - A sellout crowd of more than 101,000 is expected for today's game between San Jose State and Ohio State, paying good money to watch teams that would rather be playing someone else.

GAME DAY

• No. 5 Ohio State vs. San Jose State • When: 12:10 p.m. today. • Where: Ohio Stadium (101,568), Columbus. • TV: None. • Radio: WBOB-AM (1160), WSRW-FM (106.7). • Line: OSU by 28 1/2.

The Spartans didn't like traveling across three time zones, and the fifth-ranked Buckeyes would prefer to stay focused on the Big Ten Conference race.

San Jose State coach Fitz Hill approached Ohio State associate athletic director Archie Griffin last spring about getting out of the contract.

Griffin said that would be fine, but only if Hill could provide a replacement. When Hill couldn't, the Spartans (4-2, 2-0 Western Athletic Conference) had no alternative but to pile onto a charter and fly to Columbus for a game that takes both teams away from more pressing matters in their own backyards.

"I believe that everything was meant to be for a reason," Hill said. "If we weren't supposed to play them, then it would have changed."

San Jose State is banged up and bruised and could have used a week off to heal. The Spartans have just 61 players in uniform, going up against Buckeyes running back Maurice Clarett, as well as one of the nation's most punishing defenses.

"If you look at the numbers, I'm a I-AA program right now," Hill said.

Ohio State (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) doesn't buy that. After all, San Jose State played at Illinois three weeks ago and won 38-35.

"They take a lot of pride in being a group that's going out and battling the odds," Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel said. "You can't help but respect what they do and the road they've traveled."

The Spartans certainly have traveled many roads: They've played away from home in five of their first six games, and don't have another home game until Oct. 26.

"They've kind of deemed themselves as being the road warriors this year," Tressel said.

The Buckeyes have been at their best against good opponents, beating Texas Tech and Washington State, while struggling or starting slowly against Cincinnati, Indiana and Northwestern.

Asked if he'd rather be playing a Big Ten opponent than a huge underdog, Tressel said: "I'd rather be 6-foot-2, but I don't spend time worrying about something I can't control."

Still, the matchup could provide some interesting wrinkles.

Ohio State's defense is allowing just 80 yards rushing per game, but opponents have passed for an average of more than 280 yards. San Jose State is averaging 33 points and 265 yards passing per game, with quarterback Scott Rislov completing 57 percent of his passes for 1,500 yards and nine touchdowns.

"They've got West Coast speed," Buckeyes cornerback Dustin Fox said.

The Spartans also lead the nation in takeaways, with nine fumble recoveries and 15 interceptions.

"They've put up a lot of points off their turnovers, and that's something we need to avoid," Ohio State quarterback Craig Krenzel said.

Clarett is averaging 143 yards per game and has been trying to cut down on mistakes. At Northwestern, he fumbled three times and argued with his position coach on the sidelines but still ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

The crowd at Ohio Stadium will be the largest to ever watch San Jose State. Hill said he would blare music over the speakers during practice this week to help his team adjust.

"Whatever they want to play," Hill said of his players. "It won't be any country western."