Northern Illinois @ Ohio State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 2, 2006 ) Northern Illinois 12, Ohio State 35

Top-ranked Ohio State seeks its 16th consecutive victory when it hosts unbeaten Northern Illinois on Saturday. The defending national champions haven't fully sorted out their quarterback situation but have sailed to wins against Virginia Tech and Hawaii.

Junior Cardale Jones will be the starting quarterback for the third straight game but Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer wasn't thrilled with the play of Jones or sophomore J.T. Barrett in the 38-0 trouncing of Hawaii last Saturday. "I think we have two excellent quarterbacks and I expect them to play very well," Meyer said at a press conference. "Neither of them played very well. Disappointment - I don't like that word. We've just got to better prepare them." The Buckeyes have typically feasted against Mid-American Conference schools - they are 30-1 all-time - but the Huskies have their attention. Northern Illinois has won its last three games against Big Ten schools, defeating Northwestern, Purdue and Iowa, and has won 11 or more games in each of the past five seasons.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2/ABC. LINE: Ohio State -34.5.

ABOUT NORTHERN ILLINOIS (2-0): Junior quarterback Drew Hare is completing 78.1 percent of his passes for 718 yards and six touchdowns and junior receiver Kenny Golladay has 17 receptions for 357 yards but those performances came against Murray State and UNLV as nobody expects the Huskies to roll up glittering stats versus the Buckeyes. "Listen, our players want to play against the best and this certainly qualifies as that," Northern Illinois coach Rod Carey said in a press conference. "I think every college football player wants to do that and thrives for that so I think there is a benefit that way." The defense is led by senior middle linebackers Boomer Mays (17 tackles) and Jamaal Payton (three tackles for losses).

ABOUT OHIO STATE (2-0): The quarterback production has been modest and the school's record-tying streak of 24 straight games with a touchdown pass ended against Hawaii. There are no issues with the star running back as junior Ezekiel Elliott (223 yards, four touchdowns) has topped 100 yards in both games this season and seven straight overall. Junior defensive end Joey Bosa had two just tackles in his season debut against Hawaii after missing the opener due to suspension, while sophomore outside linebacker Darron Lee has a team-best 2 1/2 sacks and sophomore middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan and senior outside linebacker Joshua Perry share the team lead with 15 tackles.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ohio State won the lone previous meeting -- 35-12 in 2006.

2. Northern Illinois has won 19 of its last 20 true road games, with the loss coming last season against Arkansas.

3. Buckeyes sophomore WR Curtis Samuel caught a career-best seven passes against Hawaii.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 41, Northern Illinois 20