Week 3 – California at Ohio State

Week 3 CFN Fearless Prediction – California at Ohio State

- CFN Fearless Predictions

Cal (1-1) at Ohio State (2-0) Sept. 15, 12:00, ABC

Here’s The Deal: Cal is making a rare trip to the Midwest to face Ohio State for the first time in four decades. This is an important game for the Buckeyes, but also for the maligned Big Ten, which went 0-3 versus the Pac-12 last weekend. After opening the year with Miami U. and UCF, Urban Meyer’s team will be presented with the kind of stiffer challenge that will better prepare it for the opening of the Big Ten slate two weeks from now. The Buckeyes, while ineligible for the postseason, have now risen to No. 12 in the country. The Bears are off to a rough start to 2012, losing the opener to Nevada, and getting exposed in last Saturday’s win over Southern Utah. With four upcoming games against teams that are unbeaten and either ranked or on the verge of being ranked, the Bears are entering a nasty stretch that could eventually determine the fate of the coaching staff.

Why Cal Might Win: Since the Bears defense has been terrible in the early going, the program will need to rely on its skill position players to hang with a superior opponent on the road. Cal hopes that its 30-point fourth-quarter outburst will provide a spark that can be carried into Week 3. It’s very tough to run on the Ohio State D, which could entice the Bears to trade a few carries from Isi Sofele and C.J. Anderson for Zach Maynard throws. The offense will need its athletic southpaw to make things happen with his feet as well as connect through the air with his receivers. Not only is Keenan Allen one of the best pass-catchers the Buckeyes will see all season, but rookies Chris Harper and Bryce Treggs are brimming with potential.

Why Ohio State Might Win: The Buckeyes are hosting a Cal defense that got exploited for four rushing touchdowns by Nevada and four passing touchdown passes by Southern Utah. A quarterback who does both well, such as Braxton Miller, is the last thing the reeling Bears need to see this week. Miller has gotten off to a great start as Meyer’s triggerman, rushing and passing for more than 300 yards through the first two games. On the other side of the ball, Ohio State can will opponents into a one-dimensional state by simply owning the line of scrimmage. The Bears will get a 60-minute workout up front, particularly from the physical duo of DE John Simon and DT Johnathan Hankins.

What To Watch Out For: Miller has been sensational so far in Columbus, but his supporting cast has been very quiet … and very thin. An already tenuous situation at running back became a crisis when it was learned that starting RB Carlos Hyde will be lost for a week or two to a knee sprain. Jordan Hall has been medically cleared to play, but it remains to be seen if he’ll even dress. In the meantime, Ohio State will roll with one of its five-star recruits from this past February, Bri’onte Dunn. Dunn has a great future, but the backfield situation might simply encourage Miller to take off from the pocket more than ever before.

What Will Happen: Ohio State has hardly been perfect through two games. The offense has been too reliant on one player, and the D needs to start generating more of a pass rush. It’s a good call Cal arrives with troubles of its own. The Buckeyes can’t take the Bears lightly. There’s just too much raw talent and desperation in Berkeley these days. For a third straight week, it’ll be Miller time in the Horseshoe, with the sophomore quarterback combining with a sound defense to escape yet another tougher-than-anticipated challenge from the Pac-12.

CFN Prediction: Ohio State 31 … Cal 21
ATS Consultants Line (Click for more lines and picks) Ohio State -17 O/U: 52.5
Must Watch Rating (5 – Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in IMAX, 1 – Go On): 3