Central Florida @ Ohio State preview
Ohio Stadium
Following a dominating season-opening victory to start the Urban Meyer era, Ohio State hopes to follow its 46-point beating of Miami (Ohio) when the Buckeyes welcome Central Florida to Ohio Stadium on Saturday in the first meeting between the schools. Both teams racked up 56 points last weekend as Ohio State rolled 56-10 behind quarterback Braxton Miller while UCF plays its second straight game in the Buckeye state after rolling at Akron 56-14.
TV: ESPN2. LINE: Ohio State -18
ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA (1-0): The Golden Knights rushed for four touchdowns and threw for four scores against Akron. Sophomore Blake Bortles made his first career start at quarterback and completed 13 of 16 passes for 168 yards and three TDs. It marked the first time since 2007 that a UCF quarterback passed for three TDs in a game. The Golden Knights, who will join the Big East Conference next season, are playing a Big Ten team for the first time since 2004 (Penn State).
ABOUT OHIO STATE (1-0): The Buckeyes got a record-setting performance from Miller in the season opener as the sophomore rushed for a Ohio State quarterback record 161 yards and a touchdown while compiling a career-high 368 yards of total offense in less than three quarters of play. Miller has four career 100-yard games. Ohio State amassed 538 yards of offense and did not commit a turnover. On defense, the Buckeyes held Miami to -1 yard rushing on 20 attempts..
EXTRA POINTS
1. Both schools are ineligible for a bowl game this year. Ohio State has been declared ineligible for the Big Ten championship, while Central Florida, the preseason favorite to win Conference USA's East Division, has appealed its postseason ban.
2. Urban Meyer is 1-0 against Central Florida, having beaten the Golden Knights in 2006 when he was coach at Florida.
3. Two of Central Florida's top wide receivers are former starting quarterbacks. Rob Calabrese, who started from 2008-10, missed all of last season because of injury. He caught a touchdown pass at Akron last weekend, while 2010-11 starter Jeff Godfrey caught two passes for 13 yards versus Akron.
PREDICTION: Ohio State 45, Central Florida 17