The Ohio wrestlers have not seen competition since the end of January, but Saturday they face their bitter rival Miami on the road.

So why are they watching television before practice?

Ohio is more relaxed after a 4-6 start. Since losing to Edinboro, the Bobcats have gone 4-1 to regain their Mid-American Conference championship form. They now have a 8-7 overall record and a 3-0 record in the MAC.

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Ohio's unbeaten MAC record will be put to the test against Miami. The team hasn't wrestled since late January.

"We're starting to peak and it's the perfect time to start peaking because this is the most critical time of the season," Shawn Enright said. "I don't think there are many people we can't beat. I don't think Miami (5-5, 1-1) has got it in them to beat us ... we're crushing dreams."

Dwight Gardner also knows about crushing dreams and Miami, but in a different way. The first time he wrestled for the MAC championships was also in Miami's Millett Hall. He said a hostile crowd led to some painful experiences.

"(Traveling to Miami) kind of brings back bad memories," Gardner said.

Enter the ever-popular rivalry between Ohio and Miami. It is known in football and basketball, not in wrestling - but it exists. Last year, the MAC tournament was held in Athens. Ohio won the title but not without a chase from the RedHawks. This year, with Ohio pursuing back-to-back MAC championships, the RedHawks, despite a .500 record, will again chase the Bobcats.

"They're still going to be pretty tough because they have a lot of returners," Gardner said. "But they won't be a threat for the title."

Miami's two key wrestlers who pose a threat for Ohio are Matt Dominique (13-13), ranked No. 1 in the MAC at 118 pounds and Tim Courtad (18-6), ranked No. 18 in the nation and No. 1 in the MAC at heavyweight.

Interim coach Joel Greenlee said Ohio's 118 pound wrestler, Michael Caruso (6-14) will be ready for Dominique.

"Mike has made some great gains in the last month and I think he can give him a strong match," Greenlee said.

Greenlee also said the heavyweight match-up between Courtad and Ohio's Neal Harvey will be the key to beating Miami.

"That's the match I'm looking forward to," Greenlee said. "It's two different styles. Harvey is more of a low shock kind of wrestler and Courtad is more of an upper-body, slow-it-down type of wrestler. It will be who can force their style on the other guy who will come out on top."

Greenlee said beyond the heavyweight class, Ohio needs to concentrate on not giving up extra points in technical falls and major decisions.

This shouldn't be a problem for the Bobcats. In fact, it was Ohio who was getting the extra points in their last competition against Eastern Michigan. The Bobcats racked up three technical falls and two major decisions in their 38-4 win over the Eagles.