I want to put it all on the offense because the defense, in general, played decent enough to win. But then I remember the play that cost us the game and most likely another trip to Detroit.

I just want to call out #7 and #10 on that play. Watch the replay, if you can stomach it. What kind of effort is that? Here's the link (could only find it on tiktok):

https://www.tiktok.com/@collegegameday/video/7571678828028775710

Parker was horrible but what is there to say about him? As bad as he was, he played hard and put his body on the line, as he always does.

I will never understand why Brune was in the game as much as he was (all season for that matter). Season on the line and Bangura was getting 6 yards a carry, hey let's put Brune in for some run! No disrespect but the talent gap is wide, I think we can all see that.

End of the day, this loss is on the staff. Just a massive disappointment that we could only muster 13 points and couldn't stop them when the entire stadium knew what was coming.

Bad night but not all's lost. With help, Ohio can get back to Detroit if it takes care of UMass and UB. We need help tonight from CMU (v. UB) and UT (v. Miami). Of course, OUr game v. UB is on the road and we know what that means.

However, optimistically I see a scenario like last year where we beat WMU in a rematch at Ford Field, not unlike what we did to Miami last year after losing at Miami during the regular season.

The world is ending, the world is ending ....

All the negative comments amuse me. We lost a LOT in the portal and graduation. I think Smith & Co. did a pretty good job replacing guys through the portal. Personally, I did not expect we'd be as good as last year. But the thing I don't see in the prior 100+ comments was anyone even touching on injuries. We've had guys lost for the season going back to early in the season.

This.

I believe a Buffalo win over CMU tonight is best case scenario for us. If CMU wins out and we do too we would be tied at 6-2 with a potential 3rd tie-breaker coming into play (win percentage vs common opponents based upon their order of finish). So Buffalo essentially knocking CMU out would set up win and in for us beating Buffalo. This is all of course only relevant with a Miami loss either Toledo or Buffalo. And then WMU winning 1 of their 2 remaining games. (Someone check to see if I’m wrong lol)

Of course, this requires that we beat UMass in addition to Buffalo. I thought Ball State would be an easy victory, so I'm not taking the Minutemen for granted.

Our tiebreaker over Toledo is common opponents. So right now we are up 1 with us beating BGSU and them losing. If they beat Miami and Ball State we would go back to even record off common and then I believe it’s order of finish and at that point back to BGSU finishing ahead of Ball State meaning we win tiebreaker.

This is correct as I see it. Only thing I don’t know for sure is if we get a CMU win out on top of this scenario then who has tiebreak?

The old axiom tough to beat a team twice in one season applies. It won't be cold outside in Detroit.

The odds to make Detroit aren't really any different for Ohio before this loss and after the loss. If Ohio won last night the odds would have skyrocketed with the tie-breaker over WMU and Miami. Close to 95%.

HUH

Pretty much everything has been covered in this thread. I wasn't sure if the WMU defensive stats before last night were real or just against bad teams. Well....sure got my answer last night. Before the game, Marty chatted with the other play by play guy for WMU. He asked him what has made the team so good. He said 2 words: Transfer Portal.

I think they have the best starting front 7 as well as overall depth of their front 7. Of those 14 players, 9 are transfers including our boy Jori Benson (6'3" 290lbs). Dude has been at Utah / UConn / Utah / BYU and now WMU. With no rails around this portal nonsense, we just have to keep trying to get what we can out there in open market.

I'm not sure if any of you can confirm. WMU received the largest donation in history to a public university several years ago. It came from 1 anonymous alum who donated $550M. It was to be used for many things but football was listed. Is this a bucket WMU can use for NIL? I realize $550M would not just be for football. I think the medical school was listed as well as others. I am just saying that is a big bucket to divide up over the 10-year period specified. Maybe that had some impact on the 4th or 5th year seniors/grad students they were able to snatch.

Really the only lesson that can be learned here is don't lose to a crappy Ball State team and you wouldn't have this problem. :)