Analysis of the Enemy: Ohio Game Preview, Part I

Analysis of the Enemy: Ohio, Part I

What: Ohio Bobcats @ the Ohio State University Buckeyes

When: Saturday, September 18^th; 12 p.m. EST.

Where: Along the Olentangy

Television: Big Ten Network

Weather Forecast: High- 75 degrees; Low- 65 degrees, Mostly Sunny, 10% chance of rain

Ohio State completes its run through the Little Caesar Bowl gauntlet by facing the second participant in the game, the Ohio Bobcats. Head Coach Frank Solich is entering his 6^th season at Ohio, carrying a 32-31 overall record along with a 24-16 record in the MAC. Overall, Solich has had a very successful tenure down in Athens, winning two of the past four MAC East championships. The former Nebraska coach has turned around a Bobcat program that was mired in losing seasons under former head coach Brian Knorr. In 2006, Solich delivered the first Ohio MAC title of any kind in over 35 years.

2009 Ohio Team Chart

Solich returns 7 offensive and 6 defensive starters off of a team that had a great season, by all accounts (9-5 overall, 7-2 in MAC.) The Bobcats' defense was particularly impressive last year, having relatively strong total and F.E.I. numbers. While the offense struggled, especially against tougher competition, their field position average was 18^th best in FBS play, indicating a strong defensive effort and solid special teams play. In fact, OU was 5^th in the nation in opponent kickoff returns. And yet that's not even the most impressive OU statistic, as they tied Texas for most defensive interceptions in FBS play last season with 37. That likely factored in to the impressive FPA figure, and since interceptions tend to regress to the mean after an outlier year, the Bobcats will not be able to rely on such a large interception tally again this season.

Quarterback(S)

Like Marshall, Ohio University opened fall camp with a quarterback battle on its hands. Senior Boo Jackson battled Redshirt Junior Phil Bates, a transfer from Iowa State. Buckeye fans will remember Jackson as the backup quarterback for OU in 2008 against the Buckeyes, who entered the game after starter Theo Scott was injured. Jackson's running ability proved to be a pain for the Buckeye defense as Ohio University hung on until late in the 4^th quarter, when a Ray Small punt return sealed the game for Ohio State. Solich has intimated that both quarterbacks will play a role in this year's offense, so let's take a peek at their histories.

Boo Jackson (Career)

For a mobile quarterback, Jackson does not have the rushing numbers that one would expect. Part of that is due to injuries- he sat out almost the entire 2009 season because of them, so these are mostly 2008 numbers- and the other part is the offense Ohio runs. Many of Jackson's rushes come from broken passing plays and other scrambles, as opposed to designed runs that would highlight his rushing ability. As a passer, Jackson's completion percentage is solid and his Y/A is a respectable 7.5. It will be interesting to see how Jackson responds coming off the shoulder injury; he was not exactly a gunslinger before the injury, but will it lead to a higher inclination to run? Shoulder injuries are as much a psychological burden for a quarterback as they are a physical one, so it's certainly something to monitor as the game progresses.

Phil Bates transferred from Iowa State to OU primarily because of the relationship Frank Solich has with the Nebraska region. Bates grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, even spurning a reported offer from the Cornhuskers (although, you know how these reported offers go) to play quarterback at Iowa State.  When Bates decided to transfer, it was Solich's recruitment of him during his high school days that led to the choice of Ohio University. And it's clear that the love is flowing both ways in this relationship, as Solich has stated that he's one of the best athletes in the MAC Conference, before Bates has even played one down for the Bobcats. His line while at Iowa State is so insignificant that it isn't even worth posting (24 attempts in 3 seasons.)

Offensive Line + Heavy Personnel

Ohio's offensive line situation is experienced, if not talented. They return three starters from last season- left tackle A.J. Strum, left guard Eric Herman, and right tackle Joe Flading. Sophomore Skyler Allen is slated at center, and junior Kadre Pinder is set to take over at right guard.

The line, much as the entire offense, failed to perform at a high level in 2009. The sacks and other negative yardage combined with a horrid rushing offense (100^th total) gave the Bobcats one of the worst total offenses in the entire country. Almost 13 out of 100 plays went for negative yards last year, an indication of an offensive line that is physically mismatched by its opposition. With three experienced starters, there's hope in Athens that the line will be more physically and mentally prepared for the rigors of the season.  If they aren't, it will be another disappointing year for the offense as a whole.

Bob Solich uses tight ends less in the passing game than Jim Tressel. Three tight ends notched receptions last season- sophomore Jordan Thompson had 7; junior Jahan Olyaie had 4; and senior Nathan Caldwell had 2. Although they are clearly not threats in the OU passing game, they are all big, fierce blockers. 

I do have to say that, for a self-described "multiple" offense, it is a little bit odd to not see a single fullback on the OU roster, especially when you recognize that Frank Solich  had a tremendous playing career at Nebraska as an All-American fullback. But I suppose the times, as Bob Dylan says, are a changin'.

Skill Positions

In the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the Bobcats' best receiving threat was drafted by the New England Patriots. Taylor Price accounted for 28% of Ohio's receiving yards last season and 21% of their passing touchdowns. A rare talent in the MAC, Price will be hard to replace this season. It's doubtful that anyone on the Bobcats' roster will make as much impact on the offense as Price did.

Returning starters Steven Goulet and Lavon Brazill  provide experience and production (34% of receiving yards), while partial starter Terrance McCrae brings back the highest YPC of any receiver on the team (15.57.)

The running game was abysmal last season and has been a point of emphasis by the coaching staff.  Senior Vince Harden will be the starter, but an active rotation will be utilized to spread the carries.  Really, there's little to fear here. Not much size or big play ability in the whole group.

Defensive Front Seven

All four starting defensive linemen are back. This unit was exemplary last season, and contains some size that you will not often see in the MAC. Senior Marcellus Williamson is carrying his own weight and that of a medium sized child at 6-1, 340 lbs. You will notice him at nose tackle, and so will Michael Brewster.  The other three starters are talented and experienced (all seniors.) For the third week in a row, the Buckeyes' opponent's best unit is their defensive line. The offensive line will have no break once they enter Big Ten play either, as Wisconsin, Penn State, and Iowa feature talented defensive linemen as well.

OU's linebacking unit returns one starter, middle linebacker Noah Keller. Noticeably smaller is the new strongside linebacker, senior Shannon Ballard (5'11, 193 lbs.). Both of Ohio State's safeties weigh more than Mr. Ballard.

Secondary

Much like Marshall, OU's secondary is the unit of extreme turnover. Three new starters means SS Gerald Moore is the only regular back for the Bobcats. Of note, senior cornerback Julian Posey is the brother of Devier Posey.

Special Teams

LaVon Brazill is a serious threat  at punt returner. Other than that, there's little returning production on returns, although OU lost both primary kickoff returners to graduation last season,  and the replacements have had little time to prove themselves.

OU's kickoff coverage is certainly questionable, as they ranked 110th in the nation in that category last season, and 105th nationally in punt returns.

Redshirt Sophomore Matt Weller is a star in the world of kicking. Named first team All-MAC his freshman year, Weller made 21 of 29 field goals, which is the new Ohio Bobcat record for field goals in a season.

Overview

At the least, this Ohio Bobcat team should be much better than the 2008 team (4-8) that the Buckeyes struggled with at home.

Giant nose tackle Marcellus Williams will cause some trouble for the Bucks; there's just no way an athletic 340 pounder doesn't make some sort of impact. I imagine that the Bucks will double him in pass protection, while avoiding him when rushing the ball. But, because of his size, he does not play the majority of defensive snaps, so there's no use in running at the wall when it won't be up forever. Both of Ohio's starting defensive ends are sub-250 pounds, so I expect the offense to attack the perimeter early and take advantage of the size disproportion.

The Bobcats' offense should pose no problem for the Buckeyes, but there is concern of an emotional hangover from the Miami game. This will be the first early game of the season, and as such, I would not be surprised to see a sluggish start from the team. In the end, though, the talent advantage will prove to be too much, and the Buckeyes will cruise comfortably.

Trivia:

• Ohio State's last game against the Bobcats was the 800^th victory in the football program's history.
• The Bobcat's 2009 graduating class was the only one in school history to play in two bowl games.
• The Bobcat's have never won a bowl game.
• Frank Solich is still a legend amongst Northeast Ohio recruiting circles, after starring at Holy Name High School and then going on to Nebraska, where he was eventually inducted into the Cornhuskers' Hall of Fame.
• 60 players on OU's roster are from Ohio, none of whom had an Ohio State scholarship offer.
• As it is with Ohio State, the 1968 Bobcat team is considered their greatest ever. They went 10-0 in the regular season, won the MAC Championship game, and then lost 49-42 to Richmond in the Tangerine Bowl.
• This will probably be the shortest trivia section of the year. But it will have stiff competition with Eastern Michigan next week.