Would shut me up in a hurry, especially considering we draw the MAC West favorites (Toledo) and what I consider the darkhorse to win the MAC (EMU).
Definitely a team with confidence flying high after knocking off Rutgers. Will be intrigued to see what our offense does against their defense. I acknowledge that EMU is going to get points, but to how many we score will be the test for me on Saturday.
I totally agree. This game is the best test so far to let of know what sort of team we have, and how our offense does against their defense is critical. Here's a link to the MAC stats (I can't find a link to it on the new MAC website, but I guessed the URL:
http://static.getsomemaction.com/custompages/stats/2017FB... OHIO OFFENSE versus EMU DEFENSE
Ohio is #2 in Offense, but they will be facing the MAC's best defense. Ohio's rushing attack is #2 in the MAC, and EMU's rush defense is #4. Ohio's pass offense is very effective, averaging 9.3 yards/attempt, and the #2 pass efficiency in the league, but they haven't thrown as many passes as most other MAC teams. EMU leads the league by a wide margin in Pass Efficiency defense.
To win, I think Ohio is going to have to establish the run, with at least some degree of effectiveness. If they can do that, and selectively pass efficiently, they can get some points on the board. If they keep ending up in 3rd and long, it's going to be difficult to put up a lot of points.
EMU OFFENSE versus OHIO DEFENSE
Meanwhile, EMU has a middle-of-the MAC offense, and will be facing Ohio's middle-of-the-MAC defense. Breaking it down further, EMU has a near bottom-of-the MAC rushing attack, and Ohio's run defense is pretty good. Meanwhile, EMU has a fairly prolific passing offense. They are #3 in the conference in yards, at 263.5 and #6 in efficiency. That will be pitted against Ohio's pass defense, which is #8 in yards given up, and #9 in efficiency.
It seems obvious that Ohio will do it's usual strategy: try to shut down the EMU rushing attack and make them one dimensional. We've all seen that before. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. If they can't stop the EMU runs, it's going to be trouble. If they can, the defense will still give up some passing yards, and the question is, can they bend but not break.
Summary
In the end, I'm right back to what Buckyeye to bobcat said so succinctly. EMU will score some points, and the critical test will be Ohio's offense against their outstanding defense. I'll call it Ohio 27, EMU 24.