GAME NOTES: The third-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes step out of conference play this weekend, as they host the Kent State Golden Flashes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. The Buckeyes enter the contest without a blemish on their record, as they have won their first six games of the season. The team recently concluded a brief two-game road swing with a solid 23-7 triumph at Purdue this past weekend. The win is OSU's 24th in a row during the regular season and that is a school record. The Buckeyes, who are already bowl eligible, now return back home, where they have won 15 straight games and 19 of their last 20 overall. As for KSU, it was also in play this past weekend, when it suffered a 20-13 loss to Miami-Ohio. It was the second setback in three games by the Flashes, who dropped to an even 3-3 on the season. The team now takes to the road, where it has gone 2-2 thus far. KSU and OSU have met just one time previously on the gridiron, a 51-17 victory by the Buckeyes in 2002.

The Flashes have had no trouble moving the ball this season, but they have had some problems hanging onto the ball, committing 17 turnovers thus far. The miscues have really set this offense back at times, despite averaging a solid 420.7 total ypg, including an impressive 230.5 ypg on the ground. Last weekend, KSU rolled up 463 yards of total offense, but committed three costly turnovers in a 20-13 loss to Miami-Ohio. Quarterback Julian Edelman accounted for 353 total yards (260 passing) in the game, but he threw two interceptions and no touchdowns. The versatile gunslinger is a big part of this offense, although he has thrown eight interceptions against six touchdowns. Still, he has passed for 1,141 yards, in addition to ranking second in rushing with 358 yards. While Edelman is a key piece to this offense, there is no more important player than tailback Eugene Jarvis. The talented sophomore ranks among the top backs in the nation with 851 rushing yards and eight scores. Jarvis, who rushed for 82 yards and score in last weekend's loss, is also a threat in the passing game, catching a team-high 15 passes for 201 yards and two scores.

KSU hasn't exactly played a schedule filled with offensive powers up to this point, but its defense still has done a respectable job limiting opponents to just 332.7 total ypg. The unit has been especially tough against the pass, yielding just 188.8 ypg, with seven touchdowns against six interceptions. Last weekend, the Flashes gave up 411 total yards, but they recorded two turnovers and four sacks and that helped limit Miami-Ohio to only 20 points. The team however, showed some vulnerability to the pass in the game, allowing Miami- Ohio to convert 16-of-22 pass attempts for 310 yards. Cedrick Maxwell turned in an all-around effort in the loss, as he logged 11 tackles, three TFLs and a sack. He now leads the club with 47 stops and 6.5 TFLs for the season.

The Buckeyes' success on offense can be directly attributed to their balance, as they are rushing for 203.5 ppg and throwing for a similar 212.7 total ypg. Quarterback Todd Boeckman has been a pleasant surprise thus far and he is a big reason for this unit's success. For the year, Boeckman has completed 63.9 percent of his pass attempts for 1,169 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. Three of those interceptions however, came last weekend, when OSU defeated Purdue behind 381 yards of total offense. Despite the picks, Boeckman did a good job of managing the offense and he did so by completing 17-of-29 throws for 200 yards and a pair of scores. Brian Robiskie has been a favorite target of Boeckman this season, and he leads the club with 31 catches, 594 yards and six touchdowns. Last weekend, Robiskie hauled in six balls that went for 64 yards in the winning cause. Chris Wells paced the ground attack against Purdue, as he carried 18 times for 85 yards. Wells has also enjoyed a successful start to the season and he currently leads the team with 625 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

OSU has been flat out dominant on the defensive side of the ball this season, ranking first in scoring (7.2 ypg) and second in total yards (210.0 ypg). The defense has suffocated opposing ground attacks, ranking second in the nation with just 46.5 rushing ypg allowed. Getting to the opposing quarterbacks hasn't been a problem either for the Buckeyes, who have recorded 16 sacks thus far. Last weekend, OSU faced one of the top offenses around and it did an outstanding job limiting Purdue to a mere 272 total yards and just one touchdown. The defense gave up 17 rushing yards and even held Purdue scoreless until the final 10 seconds of the game. Chimdi Chekwa led the way with 10 stops, while Anderson Russell notched two of the team's three sacks. James Laurinaitis chipped in five tackles and he is clearly this unit's leader. The All-American linebacker leads the club with 48 stops for the year and he is tied for the team-lead with three sacks and two interceptions.

OSU is the obvious pick here, and behind its balanced attack and stingy defense, it should have no trouble running away with this one.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ohio State 48, Kent State 7