QUARTERBACKS
OSU - With a year under his belt, Braxton Miller returns for his sophomore season under center. However, what he got to do as a freshman will be completely different now with coach Urban Meyer in control. In 2011, Miller rushed for 715 yards and seven touchdowns while passing for 1,159 yards and 13 touchdowns. Those numbers might not mean much with Meyer's new spread offense, but Meyer has been pleased with Miller's progress. The kid has talent, it's now time to see what he can do in a high-power, fast-paced offense.
MU - Zac Dysert has made his mark in the history books at Miami. He's the programs first ever three-time captain and ranks second in school history for career passing yards - second to only Ben Roethlisberger. In 30 career starts he's averaged 273 passing yards per game and has 48 career touchdown passes. Last season, he passed for 3,513 yards. He's currently third among active NCAA Division I quarterbacks for games played (34), second in pass completions per game (22.5) and third in career passing yards (8,530).
Article Photos
The Associated Press file photo
Braxton Miller returns for his sophomore campaign as the quarterback for the Buckeyes.
EDGE -MIAMI
RUNNING BACKS
OSU - Probably the biggest change for the Ohio State offense this year with Meyer in charge is the running game. For the first time, Ohio State will be running a spread offense instead of a traditional I-formation, power-running game. It will be found out on Saturday what this means for starting running back Carlos Hyde. Last season, Hyde rushed for 566 yards and six touchdowns.
MU - Entering his senior season, Justin Semmes is the starting tailback. He didn't get his first career start until Nov. 3, 2011 against Akron, but had plenty of playing experience throughout the 2010 and 2011 season. Semmes rushed for 170 yards on 41 carries in the 2011 season, which was third on the team.
EDGE - OHIO STATE
RECEIVERS
OSU - Because of Meyer's spread offense, the most noticeable change is the move of Jake Stoneburner from tight end to receiver. Because of Meyer's offense, he needs as many bodies as possible to make plays, and Stoneburner fits the bill. Joining Stoneburner in the receiving corps is Devin Smith and Corey Brown. Smith and Brown were the first and second leading receivers last season, respectively. Coming in third was Stoneburner. The three could be seeing some heavy action and this could be the year Ohio State's forte isn't the running game.
MU - When you have a quarterback that passes as much as Dysert does, the receivers are never short on work. All three of the starting receivers - Dawan Scott, Andy Cruse and Nick Harwell - are returning starters. Harwell led the stat chart last season, with 97 catches for 1,425 yards and nine touchdowns. Cruse caught 43 passes for 391 yards. Scott added 424 yards to the receiving corps, including two 100-yard receiving games.
EDGE - EVEN
OFFENSIVE LINE
OSU - As the first line of attack on the new offense, the Buckeyes front line had to go through a bit of a makeover. The returning veterans to the line are 13-game starters Jack Mewhort and Andrew Norwell, both on the left side of the line. Boardman graduate Corey Linsley takes over the roll as the starting center. On the right side of the ball, Marcus Hall and Reid Fragel will get the start. The average size of the Ohio State line is 6-foot-5 and 308.4 pounds.
MU - The Redhawk line has experience, but not a ton. Left tackle Zach Lewis played in nine games last season, left guard Brandyn Cook is getting his first start as a true freshman, center JoJo Williams played in nine games last season and right tackle Josh Harvey sat out five games in 2011 due to injury. The only true veteran on the line is right guard Brad Bednar, who started all 12 games last season, but at the left tackle position. With not a ton of experience, this could be a weakness for the Redhawks.
EDGE - OHIO STATE
DEFENSIVE LINE
OSU - This unit is probably the strongest among the team. The line is led by two-time captain and Cardinal Mooney graduate John Simon, who recorded 28 tackles for loss in 2011 and was a third-team All-American. He's joined by Johnathan Hankins, who recorded 67 tackles last season. Nose tackle Garrett Goebel returns for his final season as a fifth-year senior. Michael Bennett is the baby of the line as a sophomore. The experience on this line is unmatched, with a combined 68 starts.
MU - The Miami defensive line is one of the most experienced units. Left end Wes Williams is coming back after injury, but was a part of a very tough Miami line in 2010, the season in which Miami won a Mid-American Conference title. Austin Brown recorded 33 tackles last season and has been projected as a MAC all-star by numerous pre-season magazines. Mike Johns is a three-time letter winner at right tackle and Jason Semmes had 42 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2011.
EDGE - OHIO STATE
LINEBACKERS
OSU - Etienne Sabino returns for his fifth year. The senior had 62 tackles last season and was the team MVP of the Gator Bowl. Ryan Shazier got his feet wet last year as a true freshman, recording 57 tackles. Chris Grant, a sophomore, will be getting the start as the middle linebacker on Saturday.
MU - If a defensive player from Miami's name is going to be heard on Saturday, it will be Pat Hinkel. He was the fourth leading tackler on the 2011 squad with 70. Because of his speed and great tackling ability, he has been moved to linebacker from safety. Lining up with him is Jaytee Swanson and Chris Wade.
EDGE - OHIO STATE
DEFENSIVE BACKS
OSU - The Ohio State secondary is going to have their work cut out for them as Miami's passing attack is the backbone of their offense. Good for the Buckeyes they return five players who have started nine or more games. C.J. Barnett had 75 tackles in 2011 and is joined by the speedy Bradley Roby. Also back is Christian Bryant at safety. He brings back 69 tackles in 2011 and eight pass breakups.
MU - With Hinkel moving to linebacker, Dayonne Nunley will be the focus of the secondary. A first-team MAC defensive cornerback in 2011, he has nine career interceptions in two seasons. He also had 58 tackles in 2011 and 13 pass breakups. Helping Nunley in the secondary is Chishawn Dupuy (who is getting his first career start), Brison Burris recorded 18 tackles in 2011 as a true freshman and D.J. Brown started seven games last season, recording 30 tackles.
EDGE - OHIO STATE
SPECIALISTS
OSU - Drew Basil returns for his junior year. He was 16-of-19 last year in field goals and only missed one extra point. In the absence of Jordan Hall, Corey Brown will be handling the punt and kick return duties.
MU - Miami still has an "or" listed under place kicker. Junior Mason Krysinski had a rough year in 2011, only connecting on 2-of-6 field goal attempts and was 32-for-36 on PATs. Challenging for his spot is true freshman Kaleb Patterson, who has impressed coaches in the offseason.
EDGE - OHIO STATE
PREDICTION
This is a huge game for Ohio State. It's Meyer's debut and the Buckeyes - and the Buckeye faithful - are ready to forget about the subpar 2011 season. There is no way Ohio State is going to lose this game - it means too much to the program.
Ohio State, 38-10.
Twitter: @DanaSulonen26
