California
10th PAC-123-9
Ohio State
1st Big Ten12-0
California @ Ohio State preview
Ohio Stadium
The Urban Meyer era has gotten off to a fast start at Ohio State, thanks in part to the superb play of sophomore Braxton Miller. The dual-threat quarterback has done most of his work on the ground in the first two weeks but could be in for a big game throwing the ball this week against visiting California, which surrendered four passing touchdowns in a sloppy win over Southern Utah last week. The Golden Bears have committed 23 penalties in their first two games and will need to tighten up the discipline at the Buckeyes on Saturday. Ohio State is producing nearly 475 yards of total offense in Meyer’s no-huddle spread and will present a challenge to a California defense that led the Pac-12 in each of the past two seasons, but has gotten off to a slow start in 2012.
TV: 12 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Ohio State -17
ABOUT CALIFORNIA (1-1): The Golden Bears started out with a home loss to Nevada and then had to rally late to take down an FCS school last week. Penalties played a big part against Southern Utah but California still led by only three points entering the fourth quarter before exploding for a 50-31 triumph. The Golden Bears’ defense had trouble with a dual-threat quarterback against Nevada, a bad sign for their potential success against Miller. Cal’s biggest weapon in two phases is Keenan Allen, who caught a touchdown pass and returned a punt 69 yards for a score last week. The half-brother of quarterback Zach Maynard, Allen also has a rushing score this season and is the Golden Bears’ best candidate for a slew of postseason awards. He will be matched up against a Buckeyes secondary that has already recorded five interceptions.
ABOUT OHIO STATE (2-0): The Buckeyes will again rely heavily on Miller’s legs with running backs Jordan Hall (foot), Carlos Hyde (knee) and Adam Homan (shoulder) out. Miller set a school record with 27 carries last week and matched the record with three rushing scores, but Meyer would like to limit his carries going forward to curb the injury risk and fatigue. Freshman running back Bri’onte Dunn is expected to start Saturday and sophomore Rod Smith will see some time as well. The Buckeyes have also had Miller throw 24 times in each of the first two games in the hurry-up offense and he has responded by completing 66.7 percent with three touchdowns and one interception.
EXTRA POINTS
1. California is 5-1 under coach Jeff Tedford in road games that begin before noon Pacific Time. Saturday’s contest will kick off at 9 a.m. on the west coast.
2. Meyer is 36-4 in September.
3. Ohio State has won 59 straight regular season home games against unranked non-conference foes.
PREDICTION: Ohio State 45, California 28
TV: 12 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Ohio State -17
ABOUT CALIFORNIA (1-1): The Golden Bears started out with a home loss to Nevada and then had to rally late to take down an FCS school last week. Penalties played a big part against Southern Utah but California still led by only three points entering the fourth quarter before exploding for a 50-31 triumph. The Golden Bears’ defense had trouble with a dual-threat quarterback against Nevada, a bad sign for their potential success against Miller. Cal’s biggest weapon in two phases is Keenan Allen, who caught a touchdown pass and returned a punt 69 yards for a score last week. The half-brother of quarterback Zach Maynard, Allen also has a rushing score this season and is the Golden Bears’ best candidate for a slew of postseason awards. He will be matched up against a Buckeyes secondary that has already recorded five interceptions.
ABOUT OHIO STATE (2-0): The Buckeyes will again rely heavily on Miller’s legs with running backs Jordan Hall (foot), Carlos Hyde (knee) and Adam Homan (shoulder) out. Miller set a school record with 27 carries last week and matched the record with three rushing scores, but Meyer would like to limit his carries going forward to curb the injury risk and fatigue. Freshman running back Bri’onte Dunn is expected to start Saturday and sophomore Rod Smith will see some time as well. The Buckeyes have also had Miller throw 24 times in each of the first two games in the hurry-up offense and he has responded by completing 66.7 percent with three touchdowns and one interception.
EXTRA POINTS
1. California is 5-1 under coach Jeff Tedford in road games that begin before noon Pacific Time. Saturday’s contest will kick off at 9 a.m. on the west coast.
2. Meyer is 36-4 in September.
3. Ohio State has won 59 straight regular season home games against unranked non-conference foes.
PREDICTION: Ohio State 45, California 28