OSU Buckeyes

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A glance at the Ohio State players named to preseason watch lists and how they performed in a 29-15 win over UAB on Saturday:

QB Braxton Miller, So. (Maxwell, O'Brien): The load was a bit lighter on the ground, and with fewer carries came a dip in yardage for the dual-threat quarterback. But Miller was still dynamic and helped will the Buckeyes through a rough spell with a pair of rushing touchdowns, a two-point conversion and 143 passing yards.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The players had apparently heard enough about Ohio State's early-season issues.

Rather than play that same broken record for the Buckeyes, Urban Meyer decided to bust out the greatest hits instead.

Mixed in with the ineffective drives that were difficult for the Ohio State coach to watch when he reviewed the film on Sunday were a handful that revealed the true potential of the offense when it's rolling. And instead of reliving both the good and the bad from the 29-15 win over UAB on Saturday, when the players arrived to the practice complex to start preparing for a trip to Michigan State, the former was all they saw.

"I just put together a reel of four drives, and it was about as well done as we’ve played all year," Meyer said during his Monday news conference. "I did that more for me, I think. I have to eat lunch, and I wasn’t about to eat lunch after what I saw.

"So just put together three or four good drives for me, and one thing about this team, when it’s time to go win a game, to date they’ve gone out and won a game. We are what we are right now, and it’s a workmanlike team that has to get better."

The Buckeyes have shown flashes of being much more than that offensively, though, which Meyer reminded them of as their attention turned to the toughest test they will have faced this season against Michigan State's stingy defense.

For starters, he highlighted the sharp passes and decision-making of quarterback Braxton Miller. He pointed out the progress right tackle Reid Fragel has made with a couple pancake blocks. And while that doesn't mean the Buckeyes won't have to watch a few mistakes on film throughout the week, Sunday was all about the positives.

"I think he told me one time he was a psych major," center Corey Linsley said. "That could play a factor in what he does. It was the best thing for us right now.

"Everybody left that game feeling like, ‘How did that just happen? How did we not just absolutely dominate every aspect of the game?’ After seeing that, it was like, ‘Well, we could have, and this is how you do it.' So, I felt that was the best thing for us."

Now all the Buckeyes have to do is give Meyer more drives to choose from when he puts together his clips next time.

Bumps and bruises: A little wiggle room was left just in case, but Meyer didn't stop all that shy of assuring that Carlos Hyde would return to the backfield against the Spartans.

The Buckeyes could be ready to welcome Michael Bennett back to the defensive line and get two starters in the secondary in the lineup again as well.

Meyer called Hyde "very probable," and Bennett, safety C.J. Barnett and cornerback Bradley Roby were all designated as probable to suit up as the Buckeyes open Big Ten play on Saturday at Michigan State.

All four guys would provide a lift for Meyer, though he might have a bit more of a need for those three defensive starters given some occasional tackling issues over the last couple weeks on that side of the ball.

"I think every indication is [Bennett] is going to play," Meyer said. "I’ll give you an update [this week on Roby and Barnett]. They ran around yesterday. I saw them both earlier, they were both bright-eyed and ready to go, getting treatment.

"I’d say probable at this point, and we need them obviously."

Champions club: Doran Grant's first start produced one of the highest grades on the team when the coaching staff evaluated the film. But the sophomore cornerback couldn't quite match safety Christian Bryant, who continued his two-week surge by earning defensive player of the week honors just ahead of Grant's impressive debut.

Bryant just missed an appearance in the Champions Club named by the coaches after every game last week thanks to a tackle that slipped away from him, but he more than made up for it by grading out at 93 percent against UAB to take the top honors on his side of the ball.

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So long, Idaho State, South Dakota and Charleson Southern. See you next year, directional Michigans.

No offense to those schools, some of whom gave Big Ten teams all they could handle. But we've seen enough of that nonconference stuff. This week brings what we've all been waiting for: conference play. It's going to be a wild ride, and here's how it starts:

No. 14 Ohio State (4-0) at No. 20 Michigan State (3-1), 3:30 p.m., ABC: The "College GameDay" gang is coming to East Lansing, which says as much about the national slate of games as it does this one. Not that we're not excited about this matchup. Braxton Miller running the Urban Meyer offense against Michigan State's No. 6 defense? Yes, please. But it's also true that these teams have been scuffling the past couple of weeks and have some major issues -- the passing game for the Spartans, tackling and finding other options besides Miller for the Buckeyes. Still, it'll be a big game in the Big Ten race and an emotional one for Michigan State, which has a ton of Ohio kids on its roster.

Wisconsin (3-1) at No. 22 Nebraska (3-1), 8 p.m., ABC: Last year, the Huskers made their Big Ten debut in Madison and left with their tails between their legs after getting thumped. This time, it's Wisconsin who comes limping into Lincoln after a very shaky nonconference schedule. The Badgers put together their best overall offensive performance against UTEP but also lost running back Montee Ball in the process. Meanwhile, Nebraska has been a scoring machine, ranking eighth nationally at 48.5 points per game. Wisconsin might have a hard time keeping up with Taylor Martinez and his pals, who are eager for redemption.

Minnesota (4-0) at Iowa (2-2), Noon, ESPN2: Oink, oink. It's Floyd of Rosedale time, and Minnesota is looking to bring home the bacon for a third straight year. But whereas the last two Gophers wins would be upsets, this time it wouldn't shock anybody to see Iowa lose. The Hawkeyes are struggling right now and need to win this game to avoid what would be a long two weeks heading into next week's bye. Jerry Kill has his defense playing at a high level, especially against the pass, and James Vandenberg will have to pick his spots carefully.

Penn State (2-2) at Illinois (2-2), Noon, ESPN: Penn State will see some familiar faces on the sideline, as eight of the Illini assistants lurked around State College seeking some transfers this summer. The Nittany Lions were not happy about that and now get a chance to do something about it. Probation and all, Penn State is actually feeling better about its season right now than Illinois, which has lost its last two games against FBS opponents by a combined score of 97-38.

Indiana (2-1) at Northwestern (4-0), Noon, Big Ten Network: Northwestern looks to move to 5-0 and will be heavily favored against the Hoosiers, who had last week off. The Wildcats have held their past three opponents to 11 points per game, but an improved Indiana offense should offer some challenges. Cameron Coffman is expected back at quarterback for IU, and former Northwestern assistant Kevin Wilson returns to Evanston.

Marshall (2-2) at Purdue (2-1), 3:15 p.m., BTN: Sorry, Boilers. We know you're playing well and all, but we just can't muster any excitement for this nonconference game when there are five league contests the same day. But Marshall should test Purdue's defense, as the Thundering Herd lead the nation in passing yards (383.5 per game) and are averaging 41 points. Of course, they're also allowing 42.8 points, so there's that.

Bye: Michigan

So ... how about you, Nebraska?

We need to project somebody from the Big Ten to win the league and make the Rose Bowl. Michigan State's passing offense is too anemic. Michigan is too sloppy and still too reliant on Denard Robinson. Ohio State is ineligible. Wisconsin still has offensive issues. Northwestern and Minnesota are both 4-0 but probably not ready. Purdue would have to take a major step up.

So why not Nebraska, which we know at least has a seriously potent offense? We're not projecting Nebraska to the Rose Bowl because of anything that happened against Idaho State, mind you (well, except maybe for Rex Burkhead's return). There just isn't a better candidate right now.

The Huskers take the top spot for now. Northwestern, Purdue and Minnesota are all trending upward, while Iowa is hanging on by the thinnest of threads. Illinois is out after its 52-24 loss at home to Louisiana Tech.

Our latest attempt at picking the bowls (at least it's officially fall now):

Rose Bowl (Jan. 1): Nebraska
Capital One Bowl (Jan. 1): Michigan
Outback Bowl (Jan. 1): Purdue
Gator Bowl (Jan. 1): Michigan State
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl (Dec. 29): Northwestern
Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas (Dec. 28): Wisconsin
TicketCity Bowl (Jan. 1): Minnesota
Little Caesars Pizza Bowl (Dec. 26): Iowa

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The record is still perfect.

If it stays that way for another week, Ohio State will validate the top position in the conference that poll voters have given them with nonconference play now complete.

The Buckeyes wrapped up their action outside of the Big Ten with a fourth consecutive win on Saturday, overcoming a slow start to knock off UAB 29-15 at Ohio Stadium. The latest victory bumped them up to No. 14 in the AP poll released on Sunday, and the next team in the rankings from the league is waiting for them on Saturday.

Ohio State's trip to No. 20 Michigan State will be the only matchup in the Big Ten this weekend featuring two ranked teams, and the winner will almost certainly be the highest rated program in the conference when the votes are counted again next week.

Here's how the Spartans and the rest of the opponents on Ohio State's schedule receiving votes fared on Saturday:

Michigan

• Rank: Received 44 voting points
• Date: Nov. 24
• Where: Ohio Stadium
• Last week: Ranked No. 18; lost 13-6 to Notre Dame

Wisconsin

• Rank: Received 13 voting points
• Date: Nov. 17
• Where: Camp Randall Stadium
• Last week: Received five voting points; beat UTEP 37-26

Michigan State

• Rank: No. 20
• Date: Saturday
• Where: Spartan Stadium
• Last week: Ranked No. 21; beat Eastern Michigan 23-7

Nebraska

• Rank: No. 22
• Date: Oct. 6
• Where: Ohio Stadium
• Last week: No. 25; won 73-7 against Idaho State