Buffalo @ Ohio State preview

Ohio State brings the nation’s longest winning streak into its season opener Saturday against visiting Buffalo. The No. 2 Buckeyes have won 12 consecutive games since their four-game losing streak to finish off the 2011 season. Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller begins his junior season as a strong candidate to win the Heisman Trophy. Another player to watch is freshman speedster Dontre Wilson, who is expected to return the opening kickoff and fill other key roles for the Buckeyes.

Buffalo is led by one of the top linebackers in the nation in senior Khalil Mack, who is projected as a first-round pick at next year's NFL draft. Mack, at 6-3, 248 pounds, has 56 tackles for a loss in his career at Buffalo, leaving him 19 shy of the NCAA record. The Bulls return six other starters on defense and nine on offense, led by quarterback Joe Licata, who started the final four games last season and led Buffalo to a 3-1 record.

TV: Noon, ET, ESPN2. LINE: Ohio State -35.

ABOUT BUFFALO (2012: 4-8, 3-5 MAC): The Bulls will be anchored on offense by two fifth-year seniors. Branden Oliver is a workhorse running back who can earn the tough yards. He rushed for 821 yards last season, despite missing five games with an injury, leaving him 627 short of the school career record (3,140) set by James Starks from 2006-08. Alex Neutz was the team's offensive MVP while playing wide receiver last season.

ABOUT OHIO STATE (2012: 12-0, 8-0 Big Ten): In addition to Wilson, the Buckeyes have seven other freshmen listed on the two-deep roster, including Tyvis Powell, who’s expected to play nickelback. One area of experience is on the offensive line, where seniors Jack Mewhort, Andrew Norwell, Corey Linsley and Marcus Hall will line up alongside sophomore right tackle Taylor Decker.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Miller needs 95 yards to pass Cornelius Greene (2,080) as the school’s career rushing leader among quarterbacks.

2. Ohio State coach Urban Meyer last faced Buffalo in 2001, when he led Bowling Green to a 35-0 victory in his second game as a first-year head coach.

3. The Buckeyes have opened the season with a win every year since 2000 and are 32-2 in their last 34 season openers.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 38, Buffalo 10.