Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller will try to lead his team to a 3-0 start to the season. (Photo: REUTERS / Matt Sullivan)
The No. 12 Ohio State Buckeyes face off against the California Golden Bears this weekend for the first time in 40 years. The game will be broadcast on ABC Saturday at 12 p.m., and you can also watch a live stream online for free here.
Ohio State is coming off of two straight convincing wins over Miami (OH) and University of Central Florida. The Buckeyes have averaged 43.5 points per game in those contests, good for 14th-best among FBS schools. The rushing attack in particular has been potent, averaging 275 yards per game.
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These numbers are even more impressive when you consider the injuries that have decimated the Buckeyes backfield. Freshman runner Warren Ball underwent foot surgery in the offseason and will miss the rest of the year. Plus, senior Jordan Hall, who was listed at the top of the depth chart, cut his foot on glass in the offseason and needed surgery. He missed all of preseason camp and the first two games of the season while recovering. Reports indicate he should be back for the California contest, though it is unclear exactly how much he will play.
Hall's presence may be needed after the Buckeyes suffered yet another injury at the position last week. Junior Carlos Hyde, who averaged nearly five yards a carry and had two touchdowns in Ohio State's season-opening win, sprained his medial collateral ligament in last Saturday's game. He is expected to miss this weekend's contest.
Ohio State also has a dynamic running threat at the quarterback position in Braxton Miller. The sophomore already has 302 yards rushing this season, more than any of the backs on the team. He racked up an astounding 27 rushes in the team's victory over Central Florida, believed to be a school record for a quarterback.
Miller's passing hasn't been too shabby either, as he's completed 66.7 percent of his throws this season with three touchdowns and just one interception. He should further shine on Saturday against a defense that has struggled early in the season.
California has allowed 62 points so far this year, and the Golden Bears weren't exactly facing offensive juggernauts in either of their games. Last week the squad allowed 31 points to Southern Utah and only pulled away from the FCS school in the fourth quarter. The 31 points per game allowed is 92nd among FBS schools.
The California offense, however, could give Ohio State some trouble. The squad has averaged over 200 yards rushing in its first two games, and its top two rushers are each averaging over five yards per carry. The Buckeyes do have a top-notch run defense though, allowing an average of just 51 yards on the ground per game.
The Golden Bears' biggest offensive weapon is receiver Keenan Allen, who already has three touchdowns this season: one rushing, one receiving, and a third on a punt return.
On paper this matchup looks like a mismatch. But, if Allen makes a few explosive plays, he might keep the Golden Bears in the game long enough for them to pull off the upset.
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