Time to temper the expectations.  When starters get hurt they take most of the practice reps to the sideline with them.  Second or third team replacements won't be quite as sharp and there will be mismatches, mistakes and even penalties.  These will be tough to watch, though, experience is a teacher and Ohio has the best coaches in the MAC.  I am prepared to support this team, though, I don't expect them to be the same when significant numbers of starters are out with injuries.

I feel pretty confident with most of the backups we have.  Snyder and Bates will likely need to run more option but either or both can get up to speed quickly in the passing game.  They may need work on reading defenses, but I like the hard-nose play of both of them.  It'll be great to get Harden back soon.  Not only does he bring his game, but he makes Boykin a more effective runner because he won't have to be out there for every play.

Even with Leftwich and Hughes out, the D secondary is still solid with Carrie. Moore and Carpenter.  The D line injuries are more problematic.  There's been talk of moving some O linemen to the D line; that works so long as you don't weaken the O line in the process.  The O line has made the new offensive scheme work, so you don't want to diminish your strength to bolster a weakness.  It might be better to go to a 3-4.

A few years ago we would've panicked with all these injuries.  It's somewhat reminiscent of '05 when Solich had them at 4-4 before injuries caught up with them and they finished 4-7.  The big difference here is that Solich has a helluva lot more depth with this team than he inherited from Knorr.  Solich and Co. have built a talented, deep team and know how to get the best out of them.