Ohio @ Miami (Ohio) preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 22, 2011 ) Miami (Ohio) 14, Ohio 21

Nationally ranked and off to its best start since 1968, Ohio looks to stay unbeaten when it travels to Miami (Ohio) on Saturday. The Bobcats are 7-0 for the first time in 44 years, thanks to a potent offense that stands 28th nationally in average scoring at 36.4. Running back Beau Blankenship ranks third in the nation in rushing yards per game at 135.8. Ohio has been pushed in its past three games, winning by a combined total of 16 points. Both teams were off last week, which was a good thing for the RedHawks. Miami lost its final two games before their week off by a combined 89-26. Quarterback Zac Dysert stands second in the MAC in total offense at 298.4 yards per contest.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, STO, ESPN3.com. LINE: Ohio -7

ABOUT OHIO (7-0, 3-0 MAC): If the game is close in the fourth quarter, do not expect Ohio quarterback Tyler Tettleton to get rattled. The junior has passed for 714 yards and seven touchdowns in the final quarter since taking over as starter last season. An experienced offensive front – 131 career starts by six different Bobcats – has helped Blankenship top 100 yards rushing in six of seven games. He has 951 yards on the season. The Bobcats look to shore up a defense that has allowed 83 points in their past three games.

ABOUT MIAMI (OHIO) (3-4, 2-1): Dysert has won MAC East Offensive Player of the Week twice this season. He passed for 516 yards and six touchdowns, and rushed for 108 yards in a victory over Akron on Sept. 29. Take away their 56 points scored in that game, the RedHawks are averaging only 17.5 points and has scored only three offensive touchdowns in the past two games. Miami’s rushing offense (115th) and rushing defense (116th) rank near the bottom of FBS. Linebacker Chris Wade has recorded 11 tackles in six consecutive games, and ranks fourth in the MAC with 75 tackles.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Miami leads the all-time series 51-35-2. Ohio has won the past six meetings, dating back to 2006. Miami won the previous six matchups.

2. Dysert ranks 61st all-time in FBS with 10,444 career passing yards. He is 136 yards shy of passing former Boston College great Doug Flutie.

3. Blankenship needs only 484 yards to break Kalvin McRae’s single-season school record of 1,434 yards, set in 2007.

PREDICTION: Ohio 34, Miami 21