UCLA SCOUTING REPORT / UCLA : No. 14 UCLA (1-0) at No. 13 OHIO STATE (0-1) : GAME DAY

* Time: 5 PDT.

* Site: Ohio Stadium, Columbus.

* TV: Channel 7.

* Radio: XTRA (690).

* The offenses: The UCLA ground game that struggled against Boise State must try to develop against the team that was No. 1 in the nation in rushing defense last season. Help comes with the improving condition of tackle Brian Polak, who was bothered throughout camp by sore Achilles’ tendons. The Ohio State running game, meanwhile, was equally suspect in the Aug. 29 Kickoff Classic against Miami. Michael Wiley and Jonathan Wells combined for 116 yards at tailback, but 69 of those came on one run by Wiley. Otherwise, he had three yards in eight carries and Wells had 44 in 11 attempts. Ohio State has something of a quarterback platoon of its own, though not to the extent of UCLA’s. Austin Moherman, from Capistrano Valley High in Mission Viejo, was in for all but six plays of the opener, but Steve Bellisari came on in the fifth offensive series, meaning Coach John Cooper wasn’t merely trying to get the backup some experience after the outcome had been decided. The Bruins will again play Drew Bennett and backup Cory Paus in both halves.

* The defenses: The Buckeyes were rocked early by Miami, giving up 23 points in the first half. That they didn’t allow anything after intermission was only a minor consolation, because that still marked the most points an Ohio State opponent had scored in an opener in 49 years. Cooper is concerned about the Buckeyes’ pass defense, which was shaky against Miami and now faces what is generally regarded as the best receiving corps in the nation, even if flanker Danny Farmer will only get spot duty while coming back from a sprained ankle. UCLA gets safey Audie Attar back after a one-game suspension. Another member of the secondary, Lovell Houston, is also expected to play after sitting out last week because of a strained leg muscle.

* Key to the game: The trenches, hardly a surprise when the game involves a Big Ten team. The specific challenge for the Bruins comes in that Ohio State is physical on both lines. “If we don’t control them,” Toledo said, “it will be a long day for us.”

* Fast fact: Ohio Stadium is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

* Line: Ohio State by 11.

HOW THEY COMPARE

UCLA Ohio State

38 Scoring 12

7 Points allowed 23

248 Passing 104

153 Rushing 116

401 Total offense 220

204 Passing defense 245

156 Rushing defense 153

360 Total defense 398