If we beat Akron, Buffalo doesn't matter. We'll have the East sewn up. If that happens, let 'em have a letdown in Buffalo.

Akron can put an all-star team of their last 10 classes combined and it wouldn't beat this team. They are going to stack the box and have their corners play 10 yards off. This will get ugly early. Hopefully Maxwell will get some reps! Ohio 55- Akron 14.

Akron had to use a WR as QB last year and was a dropped 4Q pass in the endzone from beating a much, much better Ohio team.

While on paper a blowout seems obvious, for whatever reason Akron has been a pain in the ass in recent years.

Tuesday won't be easy ...

On paper, this game should not be close. Akron is giving up the second most yards/game in the league, at 441 yards/game, and second most first downs/game. Their offense is anemic, at 324.8 yards a game and 21.8 points a game. They are last in the MAC in rushing offense, and middle of the pack in passing offense, and near last in time of possession. Their pass efficiency and pass defense efficiency are both in the lower middle of the MAC. Their special teams don't look good, either, ranking them low in punting, and at the bottom in punt returns, and near the bottom in kickoff coverage, plus last in field goal percentage.

So, how is Akron challenging for the East? Smoke and mirrors? First, when the games have been close, they have come out on top, beating WMU 14-13, and Buffalo 21-20. Second, they have a positive turnover ratio. Most importantly, they have had a good red zone defense, giving up TDs less than half the time in the red zone.

Ohio has been very successful in the red zone, while Akron has been good at red zone defense. If Ohio can continue to punch the ball into the endzone, Ohio should win easily. In the last couple years, however, Akron has been much better than other teams in the MAC at stopping Ohio's offense. The last few years:
2016 Ohio 9, Akron 3 (season low points for Ohio)
2015 Ohio 14, Akron 12 (tie for season low for Ohio)
2014 Ohio 23, Akron 20

My conclusion is that Chuck Amato will have a sound defensive plan for Ohio. I'm sure he has a good idea how to stop the option, unlike some of the younger defensive coordinators in the MAC. I doubt Ohio will break 40 this game, but I think that in the end, Ohio is the better team, and they will win this one, but it won't be a cakewalk.

Projected spread Ohio -10
GO BOBCATS

If we have it wrapped up next week, Buffalo is meaningless. I'd play the starters the first quarter or so and turn it over to the bench. Don't risk getting a starter hurt in a meaningless game just to make a statement. If we can still beat the hell out of Buffalo, so be it. But the starters should be saved for Detroit.