Quarterbacks
OSU - If the opener was any indicator, Braxton Miller is going to excel in the Urban Meyer, spread offense. The sophomore quarterback set an Ohio State quarterback record with 161 rushing yards. Also, he tied the OSU QB record with his fourth career 100-yard rushing game. Some of his throws didn't look as tight as some would have liked, but he still passed for 207 yards against the Redhawks.
UCF - Blake Bortles is under center for the Knights. He got his feet wet against Akron, which was his first career start. He passed for 168 yards and three touchdowns. However, there is a much bigger difference between the Zips and the Buckeyes. It will also be the first time he has played in front of 100,000-plus capacity crowd.
Article Photos
The Associated Press
Ohio State's Corey Brown scores a touchdown against Miami of Ohio during the second quarter of their game this past Saturday in Columbus.
EDGE - OSU
Running backs
OSU - With Miller doing as much running as he did, the work load wasn't as big for Carlos Hyde in the opener, but he still managed to collect 82 yards and two touchdowns. His long run of the day was a 16-yard dash. Gone are the days of Ohio State's power running game, but Hyde will still be called upon when needed to give Ohio State those bursts. And he has the talent to become a game changer. Jordan Hall is still out with a foot injury, but should be back in the lineup soon.
UCF - Latavius Murray is the workhorse for UCF. In the opener against Akron, he rushed for 108 yards on 14 carriers and one touchdown. He has a career mark of 1,426 yards rushing. Those numbers aren't flukes. He's on the Doak Walker Award Watch List, an award given to the nation's top running back. The Knights will also use Dontravius Floyd at halfback and Billy Biovanetti at fullback.
EDGE - UCF
Receivers
OSU - Everyone in the country this weekend was talking about Devin Smith's 23-yard, one-handed touchdown grab for Ohio State's first touchdown of the day. It was the number-one play on SportsCenter's "Top Plays" and might be the play of the season. If the Miami game was a sign, Miller has five capable receivers to go to whenever needed, which is huge in the Meyer system. Along with Smith, look for Miller to key for Corey "Philly" Brown, Evan Spencer, Jake Stoneburner and Zach Boren.
UCF - Bortles has a number of targets he can rely on. One is J.J. Worton, a redshirt sophomore, who set the UCF freshman reception record last season. Also, Quincy McDuffie will see some attention. He had three catches for 47 yards last week and is on the Paul Hornung Award Watch List - given to the most versatile player in college football. Another target is Rannell Hall, who is actually listed behind McDuffie on the depth chart.
EDGE - OSU
Offensive line
OSU - The line could use some cleaning up, but they probably have the hardest adjustment into the spread offense. The front five gave up three sacks last week and Boardman native Corey Linsley is still getting adjusted to now playing center. But even with a few growing pains, the line still allowed for the Buckeyes to rush for 294 yards. It's listed that the same starting five from last week's opener will get the nod this week.
UCF - The two veterans on the offensive line are seniors Theo Goins at left guard and center Jordan Rae. Between left tackle Torrian Wilson, Justin McCray at right tackle and Jordan McCray, they have 11 total starts between the three. Last week, the line gave up two sacks against Akron. If they gave up two sacks against Akron, Cardinal Mooney graduate John Simon and the defensive line could have a field day on Saturday.
EDGE - OSU
Defensive line
OSU - This was the only area that had a starter bumped from the opener, as Michael Bennett is still battling a groin injury that pulled him from the opener at the last minute. His return against UCF is questionable. Moving up to take his spot is Boardman graduate J.T. Moore. Simon had three tackles last week. Adolphus Washington had a tackle for loss and a sack against the Redhawks.
UCF - The most proven player on the line is defensive end Troy Davis, who leads all returning Knights with 10.5 sacks during his career. The other three players on the line don't have a ton of experience behind them. Victor Gray on the other end is a Conference USA preseason selection, but is playing at end for the first time in his career.
EDGE - OSU
Linebackers
OSU - Outside linebacker Ryan Shazier had eight tackles in the opener to lead the Buckeyes. Etienne Sabino added five, four of them solo. Between the defensive line and the linebackers, the Miami running game was limited to -1 yard of rushing.
UCF - Terrance Plummer and Ray Shipman are dangerous weapons for the Knights. Plummer was second on the team last week with seven tackles. Shipman added six. This will be an interesting matchup as neither team's linebackers were really tested in the first week.
EDGE - Even.
Defensive backs
OSU - The secondary knew they were going to have the longest day of anyone on the defense with Miami being such a throw-oriented team. Miami's Zac Dysert passed for 313 yards, but that was the only offense of the game for the Redhawks. For the fact that Miami only scored 10 points showed that the secondary did their best to keep Miami in check. Bradley Roby had six tackles, four solo.
UCF - Free safety Kemal Ishmael was the leading tackler for UCF last week with nine. He's a Jim Thorpe Watch List nominee. He's by far the most experienced for Knights in the secondary, as three sophomores start around him. With as many receivers as Ohio State used last week, it could be a long day for the Knights. And who gets the lucky assignment of covering Smith?
EDGE - OSU.
Specialists
OSU - The biggest splash on special teams came when Roby recovered a botched snap during a Miami punt and rushed it into the end zone. Also, Ohio State's defensive punt unit did not allow a single punt return yard. For the Buckeyes on returns, Armani Reeves returned two kickoffs for 45 yards total. Drew Basil was only needed on PATs in the opener.
UCF - Like Ohio State, no field goals were attempted last week. Their field goal kicker, Shawn Moffitt was 5-for-9 last year on kicks. Worton returned three punts for 73 yards.
EDGE - OSU
PREDICTION
This group of UCF players has never played in front of a 100,000-plus crowd. Then there is the 100,000-plus fans that are newly energized with a new era of Buckeye football. The Meyer offense, after the first quarter, seemed to click. Also, I now need to adjust my scoring predictions, as I need to remember days of taking a knee are a thing of the past.
OSU, 42-10
Twitter:?@DanaSulonen26
