| Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of college game
previews in which PFW contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum identifies key games for the
upcoming weekend. Buchsbaum provides a scouting report on the key players, compares the
opponents at various positions and then predicts a final score. UCLA at
Ohio State, Sept. 11
The Buckeyes have to play much better against the Bruins than they played against Miami
in a season-opening 23-12 defeat. Quite frankly the Buckeyes have a problem. They really
do not have a quarterback who is ready to compete on this level yet. In their opener,
their quarterbacks were about as bad as you can get and were the biggest reason that the
Buckeyes lost or, perhaps more accurately, were the biggest part of Ohio State giving the
game away. UCLA also has a big question mark at quarterback now that Cade McNown is a
Chicago Bear. Drew Bennett will start but is unproven.
Quarterbacks — Against Miami, Austin Moherman was not accurate, lacked zip,
seemed to lose his focus on receivers when rushed, did not avoid the rush well and seemed
to lack poise. He also did not look that athletic or mobile. Steve Bellisari, a
southpaw-throwing sophomore, is more mobile and has a better delivery, but he made some
freshman mistakes when he got a chance to play. Bennett is reputed to have a big arm and
is known for his passing, not his running. Edge to UCLA
Running backs — Ohio State has a terrific all-purpose type back in Michael
Wiley, who makes quick, fluid cuts and catches the ball well. However, he did not play
that well vs. Miami and got caught from behind on a 70-yard run by a safety who was five
yards behind him. Jonathan Wells is a big, young tailback who could eventually develop
into an Eddie George-type back, but he may not be ready after getting hurt in the opener,
and he needs work on reading his blocks. He must become more patient and run north-south
to be effective. At fullback, Matt Keller and Jamar Martin are both solid. UCLA will use
coming star Deshaun Foster as their featured tailback, but Jermaine Lewis will also play a
lot. FB Durell Price is an ex tailback who is getting tougher. Edge to Ohio State
Receivers — Both of the Buckeye wide receivers, Ken-Yon Rambo and Reggie
Germany, would be emerging stars if the Buckeyes had a quarterback who could get them the
ball consistently. Rambo can flat-out fly. At tight end, Steve Wisniewski has really
improved, and Kevin Houser will also play a lot. For UCLA, Danny Farmer and Brian
Poli-Dixon are two big, acrobatic pass catchers with play-making ability, and sophomore
Freddie Mitchell looked like an emerging superstar before he broke his right leg in the
second game last year. Edge to UCLA
Offensive linemen — The Buckeyes’ line is not nearly as talented or good
as people think, and Miami really exploited it in the Kickoff Classic. The question is:
Does UCLA have enough talent on defense to do likewise. UCLA’s line lost its best
player, Kevin Farris, but is well-coached and pretty solid. Edge to UCLA
Defensive linemen — Ohio State is very young and very deep. UCLA needs big
years from DEs Kenyon Coleman and Rusty Williams. Edge to Ohio State
Linebackers — The one "All"-type linebacker in the game is Ohio
State’s Na’il Diggs, and he can be murder if allowed to run free. However, he is
a tad stiff, and if you put a good blocker on him, you can often take him out of the game.
Edge to Ohio State
Defensive backs — Ohio State has two All-America candidates in FS Gary Berry
and CB Ahmed Plummer, but both really struggled vs. Miami’s great speed at receiver.
Plummer may not be quite as good as people thought from an athletic playing speed and
recovery speed standpoint. Berry made some poor reads and decisions in the first half of
the game that contributed to three big plays for the ’Canes. However, he did play
better, tougher and more alert in the second half. UCLA seems to lack star quality in the
Kenny Easley mold but has good athletes and good depth. Edge to Ohio State
Special teams — Ohio State PK Dan Stultz is not good enough. UCLA lacks a
proven kicker but has gifted return men. Edge to UCLA
Prediction — Ohio State 23, UCLA 20
To Georgia Tech-Florida State preview |
