A game I was able to see included for Ohio, 37 points and two rushers over 100 yards, Windham and Brown. Seems that has been what Albin has been attempting to replicate in recent games. IMHO, we will need to see that to have a chance. Reminder, Toledo was able to run well on Western, yet still was not able to keep it close.

Maybe Western players will be distracted/disheartened by Fleck rumors. I'm starting another one: Fleck to Oregon.

Totally agree. I prefer Miami Beach Bowl. Better location, easier/cheaper travel. Non-Sun Belt opponent too

As I think about this meeting, I end up thinking about the last time these two teams met. Obviously the second half was a disaster, after Poling went out with injury, but what of the first half? The teams essentially went toe to toe for a half. At the intermission, Ohio had run 40 plays for 157 yards, while WMU had run 31 plays for 115 yards. WMU led 14-7 after getting TDs on two short-field opportunities. The first was when Ohio gambled and went for it on fourth and 1, and then WMU drove 51 yards in 7 plays for a TD. The second was immediately after that, after a long punt return, and WMU went 32 yards in only 2 plays. In my opinion, Ohio would have led if not for gambling on 4th down, and a special teams mistake.

What did the offense do in that half? Vick had a decent first half passing, but not astonishing, and the run game was non-existent. Ohio had 25 yards rushing on 16 tries, and Vick was 16-24 passing for 132 yards. Only one of those passes were for over 13 yards, though, and his average per attempt was only 5.5 yards. The one long pass was a 35 yard TD to Sebastian Smith.

If Ohio can make the game into that kind of trench war, I think they have a shot. There is one aspect of the game where Ohio has excelled this year, and they have been as good at it as any football team I've ever seen, and that aspect is the field position game. Ohio needs to use that strength, and not be lured into going for it on 4th and 1 at midfield like they tried last year.

My keys to the game:
1. Defense makes WMU one-dimensional, and stuffs WMU's runs for 60 minutes
2. Offense plays solidly, moves the ball when they can, avoids doing anything stupid, and gets points where they can
3. Play another masterful field position game
4. Break a few big plays on offense
5. Play 60 minutes, with no let up anywhere

Ohio doesn't need to be error free, but they need to play their best game of the year. Ohio has to play well on defense, without a doubt. They have to hold WMU down to well below their season average, certainly under 30 points. The offense has to move the ball, but most of all, they can't make mistakes gambling. Taking ill-advised chances will lead to 30 point loss in a hurry.

My post was not a prediction. It was merely my thoughts on what it would take to win. Can they do it? We'll find out soon enough.

And unfortunately I'm not going to be the first win to predict an Ohio win. For me, I think Ohio's biggest liability going into this game is the lack of experience at the QB spot. Maxwell is a redshirt freshman. Granted, he's gaining very valuable experience but in the championship games its the more experienced QBs that more often than not come out on top. If Maxwell can guide Ohio's offense sufficiently enough to enable Ohio to win over a ranked top 25 team, then Ohio might just have something on its hands. But I don't think that happens tomorrow.

WMU 42, Ohio 20. Now that I think about it, when was the last time Ohio beat a team ranked in the Top 20?

never.

Lot's of national interest in this game with an undefeated team seeking to go 13 and 0 and bust into the "big boys" party. That camp will clearly be rooting for Western. And of course, OU always brings a pretty good crowd to the game and the TV screen.

The fact is, WMU has not beaten itself this year. No giveaways in the first seven games and only five for the entire season -- four fumbles and one INT. +18 TO margin. Terrell had one INT in 318 pass attempts. Ohio could play a perfect game and still lose. The best we can hope for is that the D plays a stellar game, the O doesn't give the game away, and we catch a break here or there.

Does anyone know what type crowd we are expected to bring? Since most of our lame-ass alums are still aglow from the osu win last week, I wonder if even half of these sheeple even know we are in a title game.

I've been to one bowl and one MAC title game (NIU) at Ford field and we were embarrassingly outnumbered both times. It's going to be ugly crowd-wise.

Estimating based on Ohio filling about 5 reserved lower level sections and the rest being WMU fans, Im guessing the numbers will be around 5,000 Ohio fans to 32,000+ WMU fans. Personally, I think that will be a great football atmosphere even though we're the overwhelming minority.

I'm just basing on numbers on reports that WMU sold out their allocation, sold out the end zone General admissions and then bought the corner reserve seats (end zone to 20 yard line)on Ohio sideline and that the upper 300 seats are now being sold (which hasn't happened before for the MACC at Ford Field) Ohio fans will be just mostly delegated to sections between 20 yard lines on South side, everywhere else is WMU fans. Hopefully they don't have too much fun

I love the fact that Hustlebelt didn't list Basham in their pre-season top 25 players in the conference.

 

Current Cheapest available tickets on Stubhub for CCGs, SEC starts at $89, ACC from $9. pic.twitter.com/wmJyLfCfGg

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 1, 2016