Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Complete Game Preview
The last time the Ohio State football team left the field, the Buckeyes were admittedly unsure of how good they really were. But that should all change this Saturday, when the next pivotal opponent on OSU's schedule comes to town.
It won't be a long drive for the Buckeyes' foe, either, as it will just take Cincinnati a two-hour drive up I-71 to come to Columbus for the Bearcats' next Buckeye State battle. Ohio State, however, will hardly be the cake walk that Toledo and Miami (Ohio) were for UC, and the Bearcats will be a much more formidable foe than Kent State was for the Buckeyes before OSU's bye.
Factor in the Buckeyes' newly installed press coverage defense squaring off with Cincinnati's pass-happy offensive approach, and this weekend's matchup has all of the makings of an instant classic. It could also prove to be a turning point in the season for both Buckeye State programs, both of whom still have high hopes for their 2014 campaigns.
Until then, here's everything you need to know about this weekend's battle between the Buckeyes and the Bearcats:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 27
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Place: Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio
TV: Big Ten Network
Spread: Ohio State (-12.5), via Odds Shark
Ohio State Keys to Victory
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Go for the Kiel
Ranking ninth in the nation with an average of 353.5 yards per game, Cincinnati comes to Columbus with perhaps the most potent passing attack that the Buckeyes will see all season. The Bearcats' air barrage is led by sophomore quarterback and Notre Dame transfer Gunner Kiel, who has already caught the attention of Ohio State's head coach.
“I was probably like most of the country. Like, ‘Whoa,’ ” Meyer said of Kiel's 418-yard, six-touchdown debut against Toledo on Sept. 12—a 58-34 Cincinnati victory. “I thought it was going to be 60-0 and the kid was going to throw for 500 yards.”
That will remain Meyer's concern on Saturday, as the Buckeyes' revamped pass defense will face its toughest test of the season. The importance of containing Kiel for Ohio State hasn't been lost on the Buckeye players either, particularly an eager group of defensive backs hoping to make a statement before the start of Big Ten play.
"I'm ready to display to the world that the pass defense has improved," said sophomore safety Tyvis Powell. "We know that they're going to come in and try to sling the rock on us, so that's why all week we've been focused on pass defense."
Dictate the Tempo
Given Cincinnati's propensity for airing out the ball, the Buckeyes would certainly benefit from an approach that keeps the ball in their own hands in order to limit Kiel's opportunities. Such a game plan could involve a heavy reliance on starting running back Ezekiel Elliott, who has been limited to just 27 carries and 141 rushing yards through Ohio State's first three games this season.
"It has definitely been tough not being able to get the touches that I wanted," Elliott said. "But like I said before, I do what I can do for the team."
On Saturday, that could include Elliott doing what he does best—using his blend of size and speed to carry the ball and keep it in the Buckeyes' possession. The Buckeyes also have true freshman Curtis Samuel at their disposal in the backfield, as well as fifth-year senior Rod Smith.
But regardless of who it is getting the touches, look for Ohio State to do everything in its power to keep the game at a favorable pace. While the Buckeyes believe their pass defense is improved, the Bearcats aren't the type of team they want to find themselves in a track meet with on Saturday.
Cincinnati Keys to Victory
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Care to Share
As a byproduct of Kiel's ability and Tommy Tuberville's system, Cincinnati has developed a deep wide receiving corps, which includes three players who have each already tallied eight catches on the year in just two games. Mekale McKay (12 receptions), Shaq Washington (11 receptions) and Max Morrison (eight receptions) have become Kiel's favorite targets, while helping make up a unit that Tuberville claims is one of the best he's ever coached.
"Their receiving crew is interesting," Meyer said. "When I heard Coach Tuberville say it's the best he's had, that's when you're like, 'Wait a minute now.' I know where he's coached, I've watched his teams and I've coached against his teams. And they've been real."
Hence Meyer's fear of the UC passing attack, which is the Bearcats' best bet at pulling off an upset in Columbus on Saturday. Asked if he's afraid that his upcoming opponent will attempt 75 passes against the Buckeyes on Saturday, Meyer stated that it's a different possibility that's occupied his mind.
"I'm worried that they'll catch it 75 times," Meyer said. "They're really good. They can throw it 150 times."
If Cincinnati can do that—or something close to it—it could be a long night for Ohio State under the bright lights of Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
Bad News Barrett
While his last appearance led to him being named both the Big Ten's Freshman and Player of the Week, J.T. Barrett remains somewhat of a wild card on the Buckeyes roster. Heading into the fourth start of his college career, the redshirt freshman has thrown for 757 yards and nine touchdowns, although his numbers are skewed to a degree due to his 312-yard, six-touchdown showing against undermanned Kent State two weeks ago.
With his other two starts being a mixed bag of sorts—Barrett has also thrown a total of five interceptions in his three starts—look for the Bearcats to bring the pressure and try to force Braxton Miller's replacement into making rookie mistakes. In its three games this season, the Ohio State offense has moved as Barrett has, and he's yet to do it on a consistent basis against quality competition.
"If we can do it consistently, if we can play well against a team with the athletes that Cincinnati will have," Buckeyes offensive coordinator Tom Herman answered when asked what questions he still had about Ohio State following its win over the Golden Flashes. "We're a work in progress in a lot of places."
That answer should be found on Saturday, as Cincinnati is arguably as talented of a team as the Buckeyes will have faced throughout their entire nonconference schedule. And a lot of that answer will have to do with the play of Barrett, who should face plenty of pressure from the Bearcats' 4-3 defensive scheme.
Ohio State Players to Watch
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Doran Grant
With Cincinnati's passing attack being the primary key to Saturday's Buckeye State battle, there will be no shortage of eyes placed upon the Ohio State secondary. That starts with cornerback Doran Grant, the unit's lone senior, who still has plenty to prove since stepping into Bradley Roby's shoes as the Buckeyes' No. 1 cornerback.
This weekend will provide Grant with an opportunity to do just that, as he'll spearhead Ohio State's attempt at slowing down the Bearcats' air-heavy approach. At 5'11" and 193 pounds, Grant seems like an ideal fit for covering Washington (5'9", 174 pounds) but could also find himself matched up with Morrison (6'1", 173 pounds).
But regardless of who he's covering, the Buckeyes are going to need a good game from Grant to walk away from Ohio Stadium with a win on Saturday. The same could be said for most of Ohio State's defensive backs, but as their undisputed leader, taking on that task starts with Grant.
Michael Thomas
As the Buckeyes have relied on Barrett, the freshman signal-caller has relied on Michael Thomas, who finds himself as Ohio State's undisputed No. 1 wide receiver through the first fourth of the 2014 season. The nephew of former NFL star Keyshawn Johnson, Thomas has headlined the Buckeyes' passing attack with team highs of 11 receptions for 214 yards and four touchdowns in Ohio State's first three games.
Those numbers are a stark contrast from a year ago, when the Los Angeles native found himself redshirting without injury in what was supposed to be his sophomore season. As Meyer explained, talent has never been Thomas' issue, but displaying it on a consistent basis was.
"He was a mistake guy. Every third play he’d screw up. That’s why last year he wasn’t ready to play," Meyer said. “He’s playing much better. It’s not surprising the success he’s having because he’s practiced that way.”
The Buckeyes will need that consistency from Thomas to continue on Saturday, especially if Cincinnati attempts to employ the same 46 Bear defense that Virginia Tech stifled Ohio State with in the Hokies' Sept. 6 victory in Columbus. That scheme will require the Buckeyes wideouts to make plays, and to this point in the season, Thomas is the only one who's proved capable of doing so on a regular basis.
Cincinnati Players to Watch
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Gunner Kiel
It may seem redundant at this point, but there may not be a player on either team who will garner more attention on Saturday than Kiel, who is finally making a name for himself at the college level after a storied journey that dates back to his prep playing days in Columbus, Indiana.
A 5-star prospect who originally committed to Indiana, Kiel never became a Hoosier, committing to LSU before ultimately ending up signing with Notre Dame. But Kiel's time in South Bend, Indiana, would only last one season, as the writing for him appeared to be on the wall when Everett Golson was named the Fighting Irish's starting quarterback as a true freshman in 2012.
With that, the 6'4", 208-pound Kiel packed his bags for the Queen City, sitting out last season at Cincinnati before being named the Bearcats' starter for 2014. The former prep star's patience has apparently paid off, as he's quietly become one of college football's most proficient passers.
"I see a strong guy, he looks big. Big, strong arms and throws in a courageous player that throws into the oncoming pass rush," Meyer said of Kiel. "I see one of the top quarterbacks in the country."
If that's the case, then it can't be overstated how important containing Kiel will be to the Buckeyes' success on Saturday. While Ohio State may be Ohio's premier program, Cincinnati currently has the state's premier quarterback and will do everything in its power to use that to its advantage against the Buckeyes.
Shaq Washington
A native of Maple Heights, Ohio, in suburban Cleveland, Washington is the most accomplished of the Bearcats' talented cast of wide receivers, having tallied 78 receptions for 783 yards and a touchdown reception in his sophomore season in 2013. The Cincinnati speedster has gotten off to a quick start in 2014 as well, recording a combined 11 catches, 125 yards and one touchdown in the Bearcats' first two games.
A former 3-star prospect, Washington is a player who was overlooked by Ohio State in the recruiting process and will surely be out to seek revenge against the Buckeyes this Saturday. He's also the type of player who has given Ohio State trouble in recent years—small, shifty and capable of making multiple defenders miss.
Much like Kiel, the Buckeyes' success in defending Washington will go a long way toward their overall success as a team on Saturday. With the Bearcats' deep receiving corps, Ohio State will almost have to pick its poison but would best be served not letting it be Washington.
What They're Saying
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A former Bearcats walk-on defensive back in the mid-1980s, Meyer is no stranger to a Cincinnati program that he's admitted to having strong feelings for. The Bearcats have more recently enjoyed much more success than Meyer saw during his time in the Queen City, which the Ohio State coach attributes to the work of former UC head coach Tim Murphy.
"The transformation actually started with Coach Murphy, who is at Harvard now," Meyer said. "You saw a transformation of the program where they started investing into the facilities and the facility when I played there it wasn't very strong, and they made a decision, a commitment, obviously have had great rewards for them."
A member of the American Athletic Conference, Cincinnati is no longer considered a power-five program, a notion that Meyer disagrees with. That's why despite the Bearcats' current standing, the Buckeyes are still viewing this as a prime-time contest, with plenty at stake for both teams.
"There is a nice tradition at Cincinnati, and the recent tradition has been real good, too, with what Coach [Brian] Kelly started. The coaching tree that has developed in the last 25 years has been pretty remarkable with the success they've had," Meyer said. "I think we certainly respect them as if they are [a power-five school]. We're watching film they're as good as a lot of the other teams that we have gone up against."
From a Cincinnati standpoint, Tuberville is happy with his team's early-season wins over Toledo and Miami (Ohio), but he also knows this week will present an entirely different task in the form of a much tougher opponent. This week may be the Bearcats' Super Bowl, but the former Auburn head coach also knows that walking away from Columbus with a victory against the Buckeyes is much easier said than done.
"We'll be at a different level next week," Tuberville said following UC's win over the RedHawks last Saturday. "This will be a fun week. We'll go out and get ready to prepare ... we'll get their best shot."
Prediction
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It seems as though each week we say Ohio State is facing its first true test of the season, and while the Buckeyes have already dropped a game this year, that notion rings especially true this week for the OSU pass defense.
It was Virginia Tech's defense that led to the Buckeyes' first defeat of the season, although the inconsistent play of the Ohio State defense didn't help matters either. But the Buckeyes are yet to face an air raid like the one that Cincinnati possesses and may not again for the remainder of the season.
That obviously bodes well for the Bearcats, as does Tuberville's 2-0 against Meyer during the two coaches' time in the SEC. It may have been nearly a decade—93 years to be exact—since a team from the state of Ohio beat Ohio State, but Cincinnati certainly has the power to do just that.
But then there's also this: In 12 seasons as a head coach, Meyer is 34-3 when given more than one week to prepare for opponents. That's bad news for the Bearcats, although it should be noted that the last time Meyer had multiple weeks to prepare for an opponent, it led to the Buckeyes' loss to Clemson in the Orange Bowl last January.
Nevertheless, as much as Cincinnati appears to have a favorable matchup in Ohio State this weekend, it remains unwise to bet against Meyer following a bye week. I fully expect this game to come down to the wire and for there to be some nervous fans inside of Ohio Stadium, but ultimately, the Buckeyes should prevail in somewhat of a shootout.
Final score: Ohio State 45, Cincinnati 42
Ben Axelrod is Bleacher Report's Ohio State Lead Writer. You can follow him on Twitter @BenAxelrod. Unless noted otherwise, all quotes were obtained firsthand. All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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