Miami (Ohio) @ Ohio State preview

The highly publicized Urban Meyer era officially kicks off at Ohio State on Saturday when the Buckeyes host intrastate foe Miami (Ohio). Meyer, an Ohio native who won two national championships at Florida, stepped away from the game last year. He takes over an Ohio State team coming off a 6-7 season in 2011, and following NCAA sanctions that were handed down after Meyer took the job, the Buckeyes were ruled ineligible for the Big Ten championship and a bowl game this season. Miami is coming off a 4-8 season in 2011, the first under coach Don Treadwell.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Ohio State -23

ABOUT MIAMI (OHIO) (2011: 4-8): The Redhawks feature a potent offense led by quarterback Zac Dysert, who needs 2,300 yards to pass Ben Roethlisberger and become the all-time leading passer in Miami history. Dysert's favorite target is junior wide receiver Nick Harwell, who was second in the nation last season in receiving yards per game (129.6). Harwell caught a school-record 97 passes last year for 1,425 yards and nine touchdowns. Junior defensive back Dayonne Nunley, a Thorpe Award candidate, has nine interceptions in his first two seasons, fourth among active FBS players.

ABOUT OHIO STATE (2011: 6-7): The Buckeyes return seven starters on offense, eight on defense and two kickers. Sophomore quarterback Braxton Miller returns after starting 10 games last year. Miller passed for 1,159 yards and 13 touchdowns and also rushed for 715 yards. Running back Jordan Hall, the Buckeyes' leading returning rusher, will miss at least the first two games following foot surgery after suffering a cut in late June. Senior defensive lineman John Simon, an all-Big Ten and third team All-American last year, anchors the Buckeyes' defense. Simon is only the seventh two-time captain in Ohio State football history.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ohio State's previous 23 coaches are 21-1-1 in their home debuts. The Buckeyes have won 33 straight home openers and have not lost to a school in Ohio since 1921 when Oberlin College beat them.

2. Dysert is third among active FBS quarterbacks in career passing yardage with 8,530, trailing only Heisman Trophy candidates Landry Jones of Oklahoma and Matt Barkley of USC.

3. Ohio State is fifth all-time in Division I with 825 wins and sixth in winning percentage (.713).

PREDICTION: Ohio State 38, Miami (Ohio) 20