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25 Questions Ohio

Program:

Where are the Bobcats at:

Frank Solich's Bobcats are playing the season that many expected them to be, they are in the hunt for the east and are almost a sure thing for a bowl appearance. If not for a speed bump in the form of Kent State they would still control their own destiny.

Season High Point:

Taking down Bowling Green on the road, at the time Buffalo and Bowling Green were expected to compete for the east (how long ago does that seem) and the win propelled Ohio into the division race.

Season Low Point:

A terrible showing against Kent, while the Flashes are turning out to be a surprise team in the East Ohio had some serious execution issues during the 4th quarter of that loss.

Offense:

Do they take care of the Ball?

At more than two turnovers per game they are in the bottom half of the conference and ranked 90th in Division 1A. They are far more likely to throw an interception (13) than they are to put it on the ground (5).

How is their Passing Offense?

Under 200 yards a game spread out among a very banged up quarterback corp. They came into the season one of the deeper teams in the MAC and they have certainly needed it.

How is their Rushing Offense?

Averaging just over three and a half per carry with only five touchdowns on the year. Ohio Rushing is not anything special (96th nationally). Chris Garret will get somewhere between 75 and 100 a game.

How are their Receivers?

They don't have a marquee receiver but they have a solid distribution of talent among their starters (Price, McCrae, Brazill) all of whom are averaging better than 13 yards per reception.

How about their offensive line?

They are solid enough to keep their quarterbacks upright (for the most part) but not dominating well enough to establish the Bobcats as either a solid running or passing team.

Are they High Powered?

Yes, they may not move the ball well on a consistent basis but when they do have it Ohio is a threat on any given play. This is a team that has had a lot of long plays this season.

How Well do they convert on 3rd?

33% conversion, awful and the primary reason they cant seem to stay on the field very long.

Can their offense close a drive?

4.2 points per trip, a respectable number but it certainly should be higher.

Defense:

How Good is their defense?

Solid, with the exception of North Texas, Tennessee and Bowling Green nobody has score much more than three touchdown's on the Bobcats.

Do they take the Ball Away?

Yes, Ohio does it better than anyone in the conference and with either 13 picks and 14 fumble recoveries they hurt you either way.

Can they stop the Run?

Better than the Bulls, while they are giving up 150 a game (.33 yards more than Buffalo) they are giving up less than 4 yards per carry.

Can they stop the Pass?

On the number of interceptions alone (nearly two per game) they are a solid defense, when you factor in completion percentage allowed (52%) the yardage given up is not really a factor.

How do they perform on third downs?

They get opponents off the field 67% of the time, you cant ask yourselves.

How is their red zone defense?

Averaging, 4.5 points per trip which is on par with a lot of the teams UB has faced this season.

How well do they get after the QB?

1.44 sack a game, if UB's line can play like they did against Bowling Green (well in the first half) then Maynard should have the time he needs to make completions.

Do they get after you in the backfield?

Nearly 6 per game is better than most teams in the MAC.

Special Teams:

How is their return game?

Chris Garrett is a beast returning the ball, he is ranked 19th nationally in kick return average and has one touchdown on the season. LaVon Brazill is just as dangerous, if not more, returning punts (ranked 8th nationally with two touchdowns).

How well do they defend returns?

They do pretty well defending kickoffs (18 yards per return , 15th nationally) but do not do so well on punts (13 yards per return, 98th nationally). But they have not given up a touchdown return this season which is more than the Bulls can say.

How well do they Kick?

Matt Weller has a boot, he may only be hitting 75% a respectable number on the year but the real story is 2/2 over 50 yards.

How Well do they Punt?

Between a struggling punter and a sub par return coverage team they don't have a very good unit.

How does Ohio do on the Road?

Ohio does very well on the road, their sole loss in conference was against Kent, at home.

How Big is this game for Each Team?

Right now UB has nothing to play for but pride, the best they can finish is 6-6 and their is almost no way they get to a bowl with that record. For Ohio this game means they sty in the divisional hunt, if they win out (including a win over Temple) they will finish 7-1 with a loss to Kent. Kent has their own date with Temple so a three way tie is not out of the question.