COLUMBUS, Ohio - Wonder what would happen if we tried this?

For seven months, that's been the Ohio State pass defense, revamped by necessity.

For two games, that's been the Cincinnati offensive plan with new quarterback Gunner Kiel, broken in by repetition.

The Buckeyes had to figure out how to stop teams from throwing. The Bearcats had to figure out if they could beat teams by throwing.

"This is the test," Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said Monday. "This is the one that we're all shooting for."

Saturday night in Ohio Stadium, when Ohio State and Cincinnati kick off at 6 p.m., the grades will be handed out for two sides that have been dabbling in easy and uncertain early-season work so far. The Buckeyes have played a Navy team that ran the option and didn't throw and an overwhelmed Kent State team that never had a chance in a 66-0 OSU blowout. The only game where the secondary was pressured was the 35-21 loss to Virginia Tech, when the Buckeyes allowed 199 passing yards (not bad), but repeatedly surrendered big plays in critical third-down moments with soft coverage.

Ohio State said afterward there were momentary glimpses of the new aggressive pass defense scheme in that game, but not enough of it. After an off week, there's no reason the Buckeyes won't be in full effect Saturday.

"For the secondary, this is big," Ohio State safety Tyvis Powell said. "Because this is like the best quarterback with the best wide receiver group we're going to see all season. So this is the best time to show the fans that the pass defense has improved."

Powell said the Buckeyes even tweaked some things in the off week and added some new coverages.

"Each week presents opportunities for you to do things differently," cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs said. "And I'm sure not going to give away any secrets about what we did or didn't do, thanks for asking.

"I think our kids have really taken to the change, the difference, through the course of the year, but we have not been challenged like this."

On the Cincinnati side, coach Tommy Tuberville knows there are no secrets.

The Bearcats came out slinging it in wins over Toledo and Miami (Ohio) because he had to find out what he had in Kiel. The former top quarterback recruit in the nation, Kiel is a Notre Dame transfer and redshirt sophomore who at 2-0 has actually played fewer college games than 2-1 Ohio State redshirt freshman QB J.T. Barrett.

Kiel threw for 418 yards and six touchdowns in the opener and 271 yards and four touchdowns on Saturday. He also threw two picks in the second game, on an underthrown deep ball and on a bad decision, in what Tuberville thought was a step back from his debut.

But with 50 completions in 76 attempts, at least Tuberville has an idea of what Kiel can do now. He said he's "enthused," but before that action, the former prep star was a "myth."

Cincinnati QB Gunner Kiel has thrown 10 touchdowns against two interceptions in the Bearcats' first two games.

"We needed to get the ball in Gunner's hands and see what he can do," Tuberville said. "But I'd much rather be a balanced offense, run the ball and play action off that and throw the ball down the field more and not be predictable. The first couple games we've been very predictable. But we had to do that. We had to find out what No. 11 can do."

The Bearcats will throw the ball out of a pro-style look and a spread look, and Tuberville said Kiel is stronger and a better runner than you may think. The receivers offer multiple options for Kiel, with the Buckeyes clearly impressed by the group.

"That's pretty much the strength of our offense and we know that," Tuberville said.

Just like the Buckeyes know what has been their weakness. It was pointed out all last year and asked about all offseason. After changing their secondary plan from game to game last year, it's finally time for some definitive answers.

"We have a system, I like our system right now," Meyer said. "I believe in it. We need to see it executed this week"