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Ohio 37, Buffalo 14: Midweek MACtion Takeaways

There's not much to say about Wednesday's lopsided Buffalo loss to Ohio that you didn't see on the field, but I'll try.

By Matt Gritzmacher
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Conceptually, I know that it can go worse than this. Look at Pitt's opening last week. Stay in our program and look at either Baylor game from the last two seasons.

But boy, if you were still thinking about UB putting it together for a late run at bowl eligibility, that hen has flown the coop. Ohio jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first ten minutes of the game, thanks to an opening-drive field goal and a touchdown off a muffed punt, and that was really the end of things.

There's not much for substantial takeaways, but here's trying:

It wasn't all that long ago that we could and did say that the offense would outscore whatever the defense gave up. They did it against Duquesne, Miami, and nearly against Bowling Green. It's unavoidable now that the offense has fallen off a cliff. CMU had a strong defense, and maybe the first game after a coaching change had the guys - who we need to remember are just 22 at best - were off.

Today, though, we almost need to start wondering if it wasn't Quinn, but Quinn taking on too much from subpar assistants that sent things off the rails this year. UB's one non-three-and-out drive in the first half ended in a missed FG. When Tony Daniel finally jogged in midway through the fourth quarter, UB had just 79 yards total on offense, five on the ground.

The defense, on the other hand, followed up its adequate day with another better-than-the-season average performance. Consider that Ohio started four drives inside Buffalo's 25 on their way to 24 of their points, and I don't think you can fault the defense too much today. They held Ohio to 4-13 on third downs and forced two turnovers. For this defense, that's pretty good. But what can you do when turnovers and an inept offense put you on the field for more than 35 minutes.

In that Central Michigan game ten days ago, it seemed like the special teams had one of their better games of the year. Today, not so much for the special teams. Off the top of my head:

  • More than one fumble in the return game
  • Another missed field goal
  • Another strange fumble off a miscue on a punt. I'm not even sure how that happens.
I'm sure there's more, but I don't need to go into X's and O's.

On the whole, bowl eligibility is out the window, and we still have games to go. I'd give you stats but there's not much to learn from them. This is confirmation that Wood and the coaching staff will be departing at the end of the year along with a large group of players that Dave detailed earlier today.

Too long; didn't read, it was more lopsided than the score makes it look. This season is not over, but unfortunately I think many fans will start to behave as if it is.

If you have season tickets, I'd encourage you to use them or pass them on to someone who will. You're going to be counted as attending anyway, and the players deserve support. As Tim says, this is their livelihood.

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