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These guys could've faced each other in one of college football's great rivalries.
Instead, they've had to wait three years for their showdown.
Finally, it's Terrelle Pryor vs. Ryan Mallett.
''It's pretty interesting, isn't it?'' Arkansas defensive end Damario Ambrose said Saturday. ''It's like a battle of the pocket passer against the scrambler.''
Indeed, the contrasting styles - Arkansas' Mallett is a classic drop-back quarterback, Ohio State's Pryor can beat defenses with his arm or his legs - would be enough to make Tuesday night's Sugar Bowl an extremely compelling matchup.
But there's more.
Mallett started his college career at Michigan, which just happens to be the biggest rival for the No. 6 Buckeyes (11-1). And Pryor is clearly on a mission after the NCAA ruled he and four teammates must serve a five-game suspension next season for selling off rings, uniforms and awards, not to mention getting discounts on tattoos from an ink parlor in Columbus.
Already a beacon for controversy, Pryor acknowledges a further tarnishing of his legacy with this latest development.
''I've got to come up with some type of plan for next year because I'm going to have a five-game suspension,'' he said. ''That's really messed up some of the things I wanted to accomplish. As of right now, all I can do is just keeping winning as much as possible, leading my team as much as I can. I guess I'll leave the rest to everybody else.''
Pryor insists his long-stated plan of returning to Ohio State for his senior season won't change because of the suspension, even though it will keep him out of nearly half the games and make it impossible for him to match this year's numbers: passing for a career-best 2,551 yards and 25 touchdowns, and rushing for 639 yards and four more scores.
''Once you pledge to do something, I think you've got to keep your word,'' Pryor said.
Mallett has thrown for more than 7,000 yards since transferring to No. 8 Arkansas (10-2), but a BCS pairing with Ohio State has sparked a renewed focus on where he began his college career.
The 6-foot-6 Mallett initially signed with Michigan, starting three games as a true freshman in 2007. He even played sparingly in that year's finale against the Buckeyes, completing just one pass in a 14-3 loss. Still, that was enough to give him a good sense of just how much bitterness exists between the Big Ten rivals.
''It got ingrained in my system, so I think it still stuck with me for a while,'' he said. ''I don't go to Michigan anymore, but I know what it's like going into that and getting prepared for that game.''
His reaction when he found out he'd get another shot at the Buckeyes?
''I just had a big smile on my face,'' Mallett replied. ''It's a great way to end the season.''
He left Ann Arbor after Rich Rodriguez became the Wolverines coach, bringing along a spread offense that didn't fit with Mallett's strengths as a pocket passer. He transferred back to his home state and, after sitting out a season, flourished right away in Bobby Petrino's pro-style offense.
Mallett threw for 3,624 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2009. He's passed for 30 more scores and 3,592 yards this season.
''He's really matured as far as his technique, his fundamentals and his footwork. His balance and his delivery has gotten better and better,'' Petrino said. ''I actually had him for a year and half before he played a game. That's a lot of time to spend and work on technique and fundamentals. He understands the game really, really well - both sides of the ball, offense and defense. As the years went on, he thinks more like we do as a coaching staff.''
While Mallett's transition to the Razorbacks has been mostly smooth, Pryor has endured plenty of rough patches since arriving at Ohio State in 2008 as the nation's top-ranked prep player.
He's antagonized teammates, petulantly brushed off rivals and confidently predicted he could be putting up the same type of numbers as Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton if allowed to play in a similar offensive system.
There was some question about whether Pryor would even be allowed to speak to the media in New Orleans. Two years ago, coach Jim Tressel didn't bring his then-freshman quarterback to the Fiesta Bowl media day. The Buckeyes would've faced a heavy fine if they didn't make him available this time, so he was there - shadowed closely by a member of the football staff.
While the NCAA was criticized for allowing Pryor to play in the bowl, the quarterback is grateful that he's had a place to escape all the turmoil.
''The best way to get into my focus zone has just been to practice,'' Pryor said. ''I'd be most stressed at home. Being on the field has been the least stressful place. I'm just looking at it as, 'We've got a game to play, let's play it.'''
Still, he hasn't been able to get beyond earshot of his critics.
''You shouldn't worry about what other people say, but you do take a lot of what other people say into your mind,'' Pryor said. ''They're saying it for some reason. That's the hardest thing, I guess, is hearing people say some cruel things about you. You know what you did and you take the responsibility, but guys are still out there nailing you and talking about you.''
Pryor's teammates expect him to respond with a huge performance Tuesday night.
''He's taking it as a challenge,'' fullback Zach Boren said. ''He's had a chip on his shoulder since everything happened. He's just gotten that much better. During practice and stuff, he's taking everything more seriously. He's harder on himself than he's ever been.''
