By: Jason Lieser (Palm Beach Post) –

WEST PALM BEACH — The U vs. The Ohio State University is two months away, but the hype already has started.

Most Miami Hurricanes players and coaches will harp on the significance of the team’s season opener against Florida A&M, but broadcaster and former UM player Don Bailey Jr. took the stage at the Palm Beach County Convention Center on Saturday and stirred the CanesFest crowd by reminding everyone that a visit to Columbus, Ohio, looms in Week 2.

“We hope you’re here to buy tickets,” Bailey said. “But we also hope you’re here to root on the Miami Hurricanes to beat those Buckeyes.”

The fans erupted.

That game, a Sept. 11 afternoon kickoff in Ohio Stadium, could be pivotal in Miami’s push to a BCS national championship. Last season, the Buckeyes finished fifth in the final BCS and AP polls, won the Big Ten and beat Oregon in the Rose Bowl.

“It’s definitely something that’s on our minds, but we have to focus on FAMU first,” said senior kicker and punter Matt Bosher, a Jupiter High graduate. “The fans, it’s great for them to get hyped up for stuff later on in the season, but as a team, we need to focus on the first game.”

The Hurricanes have increased their win total each of the past two seasons after going 5-7 in 2007 and 7-6 in ’08. After finishing 9-4 last season, with wins over three ranked opponents, head coach Randy Shannon has his best shot at reaching a BCS bowl game.

The Ohio State trip also begins a trying three-game road swing that has the Hurricanes traveling to Pittsburgh and Clemson before coming home to host Florida State on. Oct. 9.

“That’s what we came here for — big games and being in the spotlight,” said senior running back Damien Berry, a former standout at Glades Central High. “That’s why we’re at The U, right?”

Berry said he hopes to improve on last season, when he rushed for 616 yards and a team-best eight touchdowns .

At one point during Berry’s time on stage Saturday, Bailey asked whether he was a better……

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