For anyone who feels the Buckeyes are the tortoise in this race, Ginn has a one-word response:

“Watch.”

Florida’s defense would be well-advised to watch Ginn’s whereabouts at all times. He has matured into a top-flight receiver, but first made his mark as a return man. As a freshman, he averaged an obscene 25.6 yards on punt returns and took back four for touchdowns, tying an NCAA single-season record.

Even though Ginn’s punt returns took a bit of a backseat this season to California’s DeSean Jackson (four touchdowns), his reputation remains sterling.

“He will make things happen,” Tressel said.

“A touchdown waiting to happen,” Smith said.

“There’s really nobody like Teddy,” Buckeyes safety Brandon Mitchell said.

Not so fast.

Harvin is on the way.

Against Arkansas at the SEC championship game, Harvin touched the ball only 11 times. But he was singularly spectacular, earning MVP honors, after rushing six times for 105 yards (including a 67-yard touchdown) and catching five passes for 62 yards (including a 37-yard touchdown).

Harvin enjoyed highlight-reel moments all season, but his performance at the Georgia Dome served as an exclamation point. It was only a reminder of what Gator players had witnessed all season in practice.

“I noticed him early on because he flat ran away from me,” Gators cornerback Ryan Smith said. “He had a burst. A big burst.”

“The idea is to get him the ball in space,” Meyer said. “I enjoy watching him run away from the defense. He can do that.”

Meyer’s spread-option concept — with a variety of shifts, formations and reverses — can be downright devious in its ability to spring free a player such as Harvin.

“The whole point is to slow you down and get you out of a position,” Buckeyes defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock said. “It’s all for show. This team really tests your fundamentals. You can’t get caught up in their game.”

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“If you do, that guy [Harvin] is gone,” Mitchell said. “I’ve seen him catch the ball and just run around the whole defense, like it was standing still. You can definitely see a different pace between him and other people on the team. He’s the real deal. If I’m one step too slow on my break, it’s goodbye. Simple as that. That’s what we’re dealing with.”

Maybe it’s not a subplot, after all.

Maybe it’s the game.

Whether it’s Ginn, Harvin or someone else, the Buckeyes and Gators are working to open a path for their fastest players. And at that moment, college football’s biggest stage will be reduced to a basic sports premise, something you generally learn in a middle-school physical-education class.

Want to determine who’s No. 1?

That’s easy.

The quick answer: Who’s faster?