I have watched or attended about 7 or so Ohio games this year and a former Bobcat. That said they are a hard team to figure out. I watched them hammer teams like Buffalo only to struggle against teams like UMass and Miami. The Miami game cost them the MAC East to which they matched up well and could of beaten NIU, to win the MAC. They did the same thing last year when they lost to Akron, who they should of beaten soundly (like they did this year).
OU's QB is very good....but a lot of what he can do is based upon their ground game. They have 2 very good RB's that are somewhat a change of pace....both are bulls with good speed for their size. They will run it straight up the gut with RPO, while Rourke will get his yards outside of the tackles. If OU can run it, their offense will be very dangerous. Their receivers are good, Papi White is very good, but not too big. OU's OLine is huge and experienced and like Rourke, if they can run it makes it a lot easier on them because it seems they are a lot better run blocking, including play action, than they are drop back pass blockers. If they get behind they still need to run.
OU's D is solid up front, get good pressure and they have to because their DBacks have struggled against good passing attacks. Hagan is a top notch DB and has a shot to play pro but he can't be everywhere. They are still somewhat young in the middle/outside and it showed against Miami. Miami moved the ball with good QB play which took advantage of the cushion the OU DB's give, and then the sprint option due to Miami having a couple of burners who tore up OU...at least in the first half. Against Buffalo, Buffalo went down the field their first possession but Buff couldn't stop OU. OU played with urgency and after a turnover or two, all Buffalo did was try to throw deep it seemed every down, OU defended it, while their O cut through Buffalo like butter. Ohio needed that game a lot more than Buffalo did, and you could tell. Buffalo just needed to beat Bowling Green the next week to go to the MAC championship and they did by 3 or 4 TD's. Akron even passed the ball on OU in their last game but by that time the MAC east was gone (Buff was in the process of hammering BG) and the game was never in jeopardy.
Just started looking at SD State but I did see it looks like two different seasons....early they were able to beat Ariz St. and Boise.....later they lose to UNLV and Hawaii both of which I would think would struggle to beat Ohio.
So in conclusion as it relates to Ohio:
-They struggle against fast teams that can throw. Every team has speed but I'm talking about game breakers
that are in an innovative Offense that gets those players the ball. That is what Miami did. That is not what
Buffalo did or showed.
-They usually match up well with teams that try to run, run and run, then pass when they need to
-They struggle against fast Defenses. If D's try to line up and play smashmouth, Ohio doesn't mind that game
and will grind it out if needed...they have the Oline and backfield to do it.
-Frank Solich will have them ready and they should be ready to play which is important obviously in these type
of Bowl Games.
It's a low total at least when it relates to Ohio games. Hard for me to say what I would play right now since I haven't really looked into SDS's strengths, weaknesses or situation. But they are playing on a face track and there always seems to be big plays in Ohio games for both teams. So right now I like the total more than I do the side. I will say that a win over SDS would probably be one of the biggest name wins Ohio has had over the past few seasons. Not sure that would be the case with SDS and wondering if that can impact their motivation.
Hope that helps.....go Cats!
