Nebraska faces Ohio State Saturday night at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, the 5-0 12th ranked Buckeyes face the 4-1 21st ranked Huskers in a game that will be televised on ABC with kickoff set for 7:15 p.m.
Ohio State is coached by Urban Meyer, in his first year in Columbus. Meyer has had great success while at Utah and has won two National Championships while formerly the head coach at Florida. He can be seen as brash by many fans, but when you have the success Meyer has had it cannot be denied he is one of the top coaches in all of college football.
Meyer is known for his spread offense, orchestrated by quarterback Braxton Miller (6-foot-2, 220 Pounds, Sophomore). Miller is an exceptional runner that can buy time in the passing game with his ability to avoid the rush. He averages 115 yards rushing per game with seven touchdowns. Miller also passes for over 186 yards per game completing 62.8 percent of his passes (76 of 121) with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. He is the epicenter of the Ohio State offense. Miller will do some damage to the Nebraska defense at some point in the game. He accounted for nearly 75 percent of the offense in last week's win over Michigan State.
The running game has other issues at this time. Jordan Hall (5-9, 194, Sr.) has had injury concerns and is questionable for the game. Carlos Hyde (6-0, 232, Jr.) is a more physical back that has less speed than Hall. Hyde and Hall (if he plays) must be held in check for the Big Red to win. As a team, the Buckeyes average 224 yards rushing per game, most of it with the talents of Miller handling the football.
Ohio State has three receivers that are threats in the passing game. Corey Brown (better known as Philly) at 6 feet, 187 pounds, the junior leads the team with 32 receptions. Devin Smith (6-1, 200, So.) is the big-play receiver averaging 18.5 yards on his 19 grabs this season. Jake Stoneburner (6-5, 245, Sr.) is also a favorite target for Miller. Stoneburner's size makes him a matchup issue for many defensive backs and linebackers as well.
The Buckeyes average over 6-5 and 308 pounds per man from tackle to tackle. The starting tackles are both very impressive. On the left side Jack Mewort (6-6, 312, Jr.) is solid while on the right side Reid Fragel (6-8, 310, Sr.) is an imposing force. The line does not have to be great because of the escape ability that Miller possesses.
On defense the Buckeyes are strong in their front seven. Johnathan Hankins (6-3, 322, Jr.) can dominate as a run stopper at his tackle spot.Nose tackle Garrett Goebel (6-4, 290, Sr.) is a solid presence as well. The Huskers will have to be able to run the ball outside against that stalwart interior defense. The linebackers are led by Storm Klein (6-2, 242, Sr.) in the middle and Etienne Sabino (6-3, 237, Sr.) on the outside. Corner back Travis Howard (6-1, 200, Sr.) paces the secondary with three interceptions. The defense gives up some yards in the passing game and that would appear to be an a area the Nebraska offense can attack.
Special teams have been only adequate for Ohio State.Smith and Brown handle punt and kick returns for Ohio State wth few big plays so far this season. Kicker Drew Basil (6-1, 210, Jr.) is only 2-for-2 on field goals with a long of 26 yards, while punter Ben Buchanan (5-11, 192, Sr.) averages just over 41 yards per punt and has had one blocked this season.
Nebraska will have to play very well to win on the road. Miller is a great talent and has a solid defense as well. The Buckeyes love the friendly confines of the Horseshoe. I think home field makes the key difference in a 31-20 Ohio State win over Nebraska Saturday night.
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