Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Complete Game Preview

Jay LaPrete/Associated PressDevin Smith and Ohio State host Cincinnati in an in-state battle this weekend. 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 Radio: Ohio State Football Radio Network, Bearcat IMG Sports Network Spread: Ohio State (-12.5), via Odds Shark  Jay LaPrete/Associated PressStarting running back Ezekiel Elliott will be a key piece of the Buckeyes’ offensive approach. 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…

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