Ohio @ Ohio State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2008 ) Ohio 14, Ohio State 26

With the first big challenge to its national-championship hopes easily cleared, second-ranked Ohio State may not play its next meaningful game until Oct. 16 at Wisconsin.

No offense to this week’s opponent -- Ohio Saturday in Columbus (12 p.m. EDT; Big Ten Network) -- but the Buckeyes should be 6-0 when they travel to Madison next month for their third conference game.

There’s good reason for such optimism. For the most part, the Buckeyes (2-0) completely outplayed then No. 12 (now No. 17) Miami 36-24 last week in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score. After Ohio, OSU plays Eastern Michigan at home, at Illinois and Indiana at home.

Of course, head coach Jim Tressel refuses to look ahead. He still remembers the last time his team played Frank Solich’s Ohio Bobcats and has warned his team not to look passed them. Ohio led 14-12 entering the fourth quarter in 2008 before the Buckeyes scored two touchdowns down the stretch for a 26-14 win.

But this isn’t the Ohio squad of two years ago. The Bobcats (1-1) are coming off a 20-13 home loss to Toledo in which they could do little right. Quarterback Boo Jackson (17-of-27, 137 yards) threw three interceptions and the Bobcats had only 102 yards on 48 carries. The lone bright spot was a defensive effort that held Toledo to 183 yards, and just 46 rushing.

Aside from allowing Miami two kick returns for touchdowns, the Buckeyes did little wrong last week. They intercepted Miami quarterback Jacory Harris four times and allowed the Hurricanes only one offensive touchdown.

Chimdi Chekwa had two interceptions, potential NFL first-round defensive lineman Cameron Heyward returned a pick 80 yards before running out of gas, and DE Nathan Williams (sprained knee) returned to the lineup and also had an interception.

However, the Ohio State defense will be without strong safety C.J. Barnett (knee), who will need surgery and may be lost for the season. Orhian Johnson, who lost the starting job to Barnett in camp, will start against Ohio.

Heisman hopeful Terrelle Pryor had his second straight outstanding performance (233 yards passing, one TD; 20 carries, 113 yards, one TD). The Buckeye offense scored 23 points in the second quarter. Receiver DeVier Posey had four receptions for 105 yards.

One offensive concern may be the Buckeyes’ struggles in the red zone against Miami. They settled for five five field goals from Devin Barclay.

Ohio State, 6-0 all-time against Ohio, is 21-3 with Pryor as the starter.