Bring your rain gear Saturday. Forecast getting more ominous by the day.

What I'm seeing is it seems like most of the rain will be in the morning. still a chance in the afternoon, but mostly warm and dry. However, if the forecast tightens up and Saturday night rain arrives sooner as it sometimes does, then it could get messy.

Rain always makes me nervous, but considering we operate entirely from the shotgun... tough combo.

Would love to see them mix in taking snaps under center a few times a game. Work in more play action plays.

Over the last 7 games we're running the ball nearly 57% of the time. From shotgun. Every 10 plays, 6 of those the 4th most accurate QB in college football from last season does not throw, we hand off to the RB standing behind the QB - 6 or 7 yards off the line.

Handing the ball off, as much as they are doing, we start every down in a -4 to -7 yard hole. We get gobbled up immediately from tough defenses. Recently, they've worked in these delayed hand-offs hoping a hole will open up. It doesn't. -1 yard and a cloud of dust.

Kurtis's inability or unwillingness to run the ball is the greatest factor to the average production of this offense. When he took off a couple times against WMU not only was it wide open but it appeared to open the space for the other 2 RBs in this offense.

As much as I was fearful of him being reinjured at the beginning of the year, I'm not sure a MAC title is obtainable without the use of his legs.

 

We're getting closer to Battle of the Bricks gameday! It's time to get to know the rival RedHawks. @RussEisenstein has the @OhioSP @Learfield @SteaknShake "Clinic on @MiamiOHFootball."🎙️ pic.twitter.com/N2FXyEhwGo

— Ohio Football (@OhioFootball) October 25, 2023

Comparing the teams, using MAC-game only stats:
https://getsomemaction.com/stats.aspx?path=football&year=...
In this case, MAC-only stats provide an especially good comparison, as Ohio and Miami have played nearly identical schedules. Both have played Kent, BG, and WMU. The only difference is that Ohio played NIU, while Miami played Toledo, but those teams are very competitive.

Rushing Defense: Ohio #1 105.0, Miami #2 106.0
Rushing Defense, yards per carry: Miami #1 3.0, Ohio #5 3.7
Pass Defense: Miami #1 134.5, Ohio #7 171.3
Pass Defense, yards/attempt: Miami #1 (tie) 4.8, Ohio #4 (tie) 5.9
Total Yards: Miami #1 240.5, Ohio #3 276.3
Total Defense, yards/play: Miami #1 3.8, Ohio #4 (tie) 4.8
Points allowed: Miami #1 11.3, Ohio #3 16.0

Both defenses are very good against the run, but so far, Miami is slightly better against the pass, and thus gives up less total yards and points. Next, the offenses:

Rushing Offense: Ohio #6 143.3, Miami #9 112.8
Rushing offense, yards per play: Ohio #5 4.2, Miami #9 3.2
Passing Offense: Ohio #1 233.8, Miami #5 202.8
Passing offense, yards/play: Ohio Ohio #3 7.4, Miami #4 7.2
Total Offense: Ohio #4 377, Miami #6 315.5
Total Offense, yards/play: Ohio #3 5.7, Miami #6 5.0
Points scored: Ohio #3 28.3, Miami #5 25.3

Ohio has the better offense in all regards, and that is with Gabbert.

Looking at other areas, Miami has the better FG kicker, and also punter. In summary, Miami will probably win the special teams, Ohio has the better offense, and the defenses are pretty equal. The stage is set for a very competitive game.

For those who want to compare scores:
Versus Kent: Ohio wins 42-17 (+25); Miami wins 23-3 (+22)
Versus BG: Ohio wins 38-7 (+31); Miami wins 27-0 (+27)
Versus WMU: Ohio wins 20-17 (+3), Miami wins 34-21 (+13)

 

"The Ohio-@MiamiOHFootball rivalry is the @MACSports standard." That's @RussEisenstein's opening line in the @OhioSP @Learfield "@budlight Bobcat Gameday" radio open that includes comments from @kdannek & @Byronpearson00. It plays at 2:30 on Saturday, but you can hear it now.🎙️🧱 pic.twitter.com/P17VgH7zDQ

— Ohio Football (@OhioFootball) October 26, 2023

Why you trying to bring stats, I've got 200 post on 30 threads on how bad the OHIO offense is, who needs stats?

Can't seem to figure out how Vegas sees us as 7.5 point favorites. Not surprised to see us as the favorites, especially with Gabbert's injury, but that's a big number. I'd be shocked if we were able to cover.

Not sure if this is mentioned elsewhere but, our special teams has had some problem with defending our kick offs. Two big returns last week that both resulted in great field position for WMU and TD's.

I assume we can kick it out of the end zone and eliminate opponents return.

68 with a 50/50 chance of light rain at kickoff. Just a typical gray late October day in Athens.

The over/under is only 39, so that would the score something like 23-16. Pretty typical for our offense this season.

I thought the only possible way we lose this game is turnovers. Sure enough...

Kurtis has to throw that away or take the sack. Trying to tuck it and take off in the rain... :(