Use this thread to talk about anything game-related. For away games, we'll have a separate travel thread.

Date: December 2nd, 2011  7:00 PM

Opponent: Northern Illinois   (9-3, MAC 7-1)

Site: Ford Field in Detroit, MI

TV: ESPN2

Radio:  Ohio Radio

Webcast:  ESPN3

Ohio Game Notes

NIU's media guide, roster and statistics.

Fan sites:  NIU Dog Pound  

Ohio Injury List (status is my interpretation based upon media reports):

S    Xavier Hughes - Out for season (shoulder)
TE  Zac Clark - Out for season (knee)
TE  Troy Hill - Out for season (knee)
OL  Matt Pritchard - Out for season (knee) 

I think this will be a high scoring game; somewhere in the 30's or 40's.  The key to this game will be the defensive line.  We're going to need them to play the game of their lives against NIU.  If our front four can pressure Harnish, we will be in business.  If not, they will have a lot of success against us.  Turnovers are a must.

Jeff-  the linebackers will be huge, yes, but I would say the defensive line.  Here's why-

1- Unless it's different at this level or scheme, outside contain is left to the defensive ends, where the ends have to force the offense to run in the middle.  If you let Chandler Harnish scramble on third down, or let them get their run game going, we're in deep trouble.  Make them bounce everything back to the inside and force them to grind every drive out.

2-  I want our defensive line to pressure Harnish with out help from the backers.  Check the Sugar bowl last year between Ohio State and Arkansas- even Arkansas high powered offense was no match for Vernon Gholston on the defensive line; he had to be double teamed by offensive lineman.  This can free up a linebacker on blitzes or allow another man in coverage.

3-  Stop the play at the point of attack.  Get NIU to have to make cuts and juke to get away from our players.  If you don't let them run downhill on you, they will suffer from it.  This also takes some things from point 2- our backers can make more plays if they are freed up from blocks.  They have 7 blockers (minus 2 recievers, 1 QB, and 1 RB) on 7 players.  One man takes two blockers.  Math stacks up for us.

So in conclusion, in my mind, while they may not get the numbers on the stat sheet, the defensive line will be the most important to step up.

One more tidbit- our defensive line hasn't had a player on it really show he can take over in a game when it's on the line.  The backers have Noah Keller.

Thanks.  The bottom line, if you want to keep NIU from scoring, stop Harnish before he gets started.

The front four causing pressure is a must, but our secondary cannot give their receivers a five yard cushion when it is 3rd down and less than 6. I know our opponents 3rd down conversion rate is not spectacular, but sure seems like we give up way too many first downs by not pressuring the receivers. If we zone blitz you have to bring up the coverage or slants and crossing routes are a gimme. 

I'm waiting for some insightful thoughts from L.C.







GO BOBCATS

Their fans seem to be under the impression that if you contain LaVon, you've overcome our passing threat.  They are also under the assumption that we have "no running back to speak of".

PLEASE let their coaching staff be under the same impressions...

More speed rushing of Harnish with AJ Grady and Mose Denton. That worked nicely at the end of the Miami game.

Harnish is by far the toughest player to defend we'll face this year, no?

That's the problem. We could have great coverage and get some heat on him, but he could still make a big play.

There isn't much I can add - you guys have covered things nicely. Ohio isn't going to stop NIU from scoring. They need to try to hold NIU under 30, and try to score more than that. In shootouts where both teams were over 35, NIU was 2-2.

Now, to me, here's the question - should Ohio slow things down? Or should they hurry them up? Ohio has 3 more days of rest, but it's coming after 2 short weeks.

Right there is the million dollar question... it's obvious we've been more committed to the run in recent weeks. I feel like this is just a decision we might have to be prepared to make after one quarter of football. If we are fortunate enough to jump out to an early lead, then we might go to the ground and just beat up their D. If NIU takes the opening kick and scores first, then scores again before we've seemingly had the ball... well, we find ourselves in a hole and we can't worry about "shortening the game"; we'll just need to score however we can and hope the D can start slowing down their attack. I believe NIU has the better offense, but I believe we have the better D. I won't feel comfortable trailing in this game at any point. I really hope we can score first and score often. This is going to be a show.

Agreed.  I'm not going to feel real comfortable, even if we have a 2-3 TD lead, until the final whistle.