Syracuse, N.Y. ? With another national title so close, the top-ranked Miami Hurricanes aren’t about to get distracted now.

“We’ve worked hard. We decided in the offseason that we wanted another one, and we’re going to do everything to get it,” safety Sean Taylor said. “All our hard work is paying off. As long as we keep doing what we have to do, we’ll be there.”

Where? Why, the Fiesta Bowl, of course. That Jan. 3 game ” Ohio State already has locked up a berth ” will cap the Bowl Championship Series.

Miami’s next step in its quest to repeat as national champion comes Saturday against Syracuse, a 20-point underdog.

It’s the Orangemen’s most important game of the season, and the Hurricanes (10-0, 5-0 Big East) are well aware.

Miami has won 32 games in a row. If it beats Syracuse and then Virginia Tech, it will earn the right to face No. 2 Ohio State.

Although the Orangemen (4-7, 2-4) have struggled this season, they’re approaching today’s game with an air of confidence.

“It’s just like any other game,” senior safety Maurice McClain said. “I really don’t look up to them at all. This team just has to go out there and play instead of just looking up to them as a big, powerful team.”

As for motivation, Miami isn’t lacking a bit.

“They have nothing to lose, and we have everything to lose,” Miami center Brett Romberg said. “This is considered the Super Bowl to those guys.”