Greetings, Ohio fans.
Todd gave you some stats. I'm not a real fan of stats, I'd rather play the game. Stats will get you beat.
I have been to all Apps' home games this year. Had season tickets since the late 1990s & been to games off & on since 1980-ish. While my sons were younger, (mid-2000s) there were a couple years we went to all games, home & away. We were at all playoff games, all three national title games and the Michigan game.
In 2004, App switched to the spread offense under Coach Moore. Prior to that, it was mostly the Power I. First game under the spread was against Wyoming out in Laramie. It was so bad, it looked like we'd never played a down of football before. But, we stuck with it & it got better.
The wrinkle App adds to the spread is that we prefer to run the ball. Cut back runners are especially effective. Cox is a beast! And, if somehow you all stop him consistently, we sub in Moore, a real fire plug of a back. He is quick and hard to tackle. (I've heard it described as like trying to tackle a house.)
We don't have the world's best QB, if you measure by quickness and arm-strength. BUT, he knows how to run his team, and he makes few mistakes. (His stats are actually better than he is, IMO.) His worst game was against Clemson when he threw 3 picks in the 2nd qtr. But, he can pass and run too. Of late, he has been passing a lot to our tight ends. And, you'll see Sims McElfresh & I think Bobo Beathard will be back from injury by bowl time at receivers. But, one thing our receivers can do is block downfield. Else they don't play.
What has defined App's play this year is the defense. We run a 3-5-3 mostly. The benefit of such an alignment is that the offense has no idea where the blitz is coming from. Blocking the App D can be tricky for that reason. Our DE, Ronald Blair, 6'4", 270 lbs., is a beast & a legit NFL prospect. Our inside LB, John Law is also a handful. Our DBs are good, Latrell Gibbs has 6 interceptions on the year; I think 2 of those were pick 6s.
In that Clemson game, the REALLY impressive thing was that our D played lights out. End of 1st qtr., it was 3 - 0 Clemson. In 2nd, we had 3 interceptions, leading to short fields & gave up 28 points. Final score was 41 - 10, so one way to look at it was that we hung with the Tigers for 3 quarters. Moral victories being what they are.
We lost the Ark. State game. Our O-line was injured & the subs looked somewhat baffled. Ark. State played very well though. They deserve to be conference champs. This year.
We did beat our long time rival Georgia Southern convincingly. That rivalry goes WAY back to when they cranked back up their football program in the mid-1980s. I could tell some stories there.
I have seen some Ohio games this year. But, not many. I may go back & review what I can find.
Looking forward to meeting Bobcat fans in Montgomery. Y'all come!