Ohio Football Topic
Topic: Three things to watch in the Bobcats opener
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moorelukas
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Posted: 8/29/2019 11:21 AM
Entering Peden to open the season is an FCS opponent, Rhode Island. The Rams went 6-5 last season, and they feel genuinely excited about the future of their program. Jim Fleming and the Rams will come to play, and have their eyes on an upset. But, when Frank Solich plays the FCS, victory has been a guarantee. Solich is 13-0 vs the FCS, with the closest contest coming a year ago in a 38-32 win against Howard.

The Bobcats still have to execute to win, but a tally in the win column isn't the only goal for a team with eyes on a MAC title.

How will the interior defensive line play?
Senior and former Juco transfer Cole Baker is the only returner on the interior who saw meaningful time in 2018. The only other upperclassmen at the position is RS senior Brian Arp, who will need to prove himself this season after barely seeing the field in 2018.

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Full article: https://www.wathsportsfan.com/bobcatinsider/three-things-...
Valley Cat
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Posted: 8/29/2019 2:37 PM
I love Ohio Football content. I agree with much of this but a bigger question for me is how does the running game develop? The offense needs to run to set up the play action shots downfield. I think Allison and Ross have all kind of potential but are totally unproven. I will be interested to see these young skill players develop. A whole lot of offensive production is gone form 2018.
colobobcat66
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Posted: 8/29/2019 3:58 PM
Valley Cat wrote:expand_more
I love Ohio Football content. I agree with much of this but a bigger question for me is how does the running game develop? The offense needs to run to set up the play action shots downfield. I think Allison and Ross have all kind of potential but are totally unproven. I will be interested to see these young skill players develop. A whole lot of offensive production is gone form 2018.
The nightmare scenario for me is that the offense early in the year looks like the defense did early last year. I know that there’s some experience coming back on the offensive line, but they haven’t played together for extended periods before. I think that based on the inexperience we have, it will be a rough start to the season, and I’m meaning multiple games. We’ll see how all this plays out stating Saturday.
L.C.
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Posted: 8/29/2019 5:01 PM
Thank you for your excellent articles. I agree that the number 1 thing I'm going to watch is the interior of the defensive line. If the DTs are good, the defense will be outstanding. If they are weak, the defense will be disappointing.

Similarly I am going to watch the offensive line. I'm not going to worry about the RB or the WR. If the line can not protect Rourke, and they can not open holes, the WR and RB won't matter, and if they do protect Rourke, and open holes, the WR and RB will be fine.
Brian Smith (No, not that one)
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Brian Smith (No, not that one)
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Posted: 8/29/2019 5:02 PM
You know how every football-head tells you the thing you need to watch is the guard play?

Bleep that. I'm not sitting around for three hours watching guards operate. I played guard. Really badly. It was like being a computer. I did one of three things. It's not worth spending your free time watching. Life is too short.

Come at me guards.

Centers? I can watch centers all day. They're like wizards.
Last Edited: 8/29/2019 5:04:19 PM by Brian Smith (No, not that one)
Bcat2
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Posted: 8/29/2019 5:32 PM
Brian Smith wrote:expand_more
You know how every football-head tells you the thing you need to watch is the guard play?

Bleep that. I'm not sitting around for three hours watching guards operate. I played guard. Really badly. It was like being a computer. I did one of three things. It's not worth spending your free time watching. Life is too short.

Come at me guards.

Centers? I can watch centers all day. They're like wizards.
This old center/LB lmao.
L.C.
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Posted: 8/29/2019 6:10 PM
Brian Smith wrote:expand_more
You know how every football-head tells you the thing you need to watch is the guard play?

...

Wait, is this the football forum or the basketball forum? Hehe

Sounds like your football career was like mine.
MACattack!
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Posted: 8/30/2019 12:31 PM
moorelukas wrote:expand_more
Entering Peden to open the season is an FCS opponent, Rhode Island. The Rams went 6-5 last season, and they feel genuinely excited about the future of their program. Jim Fleming and the Rams will come to play, and have their eyes on an upset. But, when Frank Solich plays the FCS, victory has been a guarantee. Solich is 13-0 vs the FCS, with the closest contest coming a year ago in a 38-32 win against Howard.

The Bobcats still have to execute to win, but a tally in the win column isn't the only goal for a team with eyes on a MAC title.

How will the interior defensive line play?
Senior and former Juco transfer Cole Baker is the only returner on the interior who saw meaningful time in 2018. The only other upperclassmen at the position is RS senior Brian Arp, who will need to prove himself this season after barely seeing the field in 2018.

---
Full article: https://www.wathsportsfan.com/bobcatinsider/three-things-...
C&C (Coleman and Caesar) are about to create their own music factory, football style. They will play as big as they are
ytownbobcat
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Posted: 8/30/2019 3:32 PM
I agree the offense may be inconsistent to begin the season. Young receivers drop balls, fumble, don't break up interceptions and miss down field blocks. Young RB's can have the same problems, especially in pass protection.
Pitt, Marshall and maybe Louisiana will be solid squads which could capitalize on those youthful weaknesses.
I have been surprised in past years when we seem so unprepared in the early season games.
colobobcat66
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Posted: 8/30/2019 4:25 PM
ytownbobcat wrote:expand_more
I agree the offense may be inconsistent to begin the season. Young receivers drop balls, fumble, don't break up interceptions and miss down field blocks. Young RB's can have the same problems, especially in pass protection.
Pitt, Marshall and maybe Louisiana will be solid squads which could capitalize on those youthful weaknesses.
I have been surprised in past years when we seem so unprepared in the early season games.
I think that part of it is that Ohio is being very carefull to reduce early season /preseason injuries. Here’s looking at you Alabama. I think Frank has stated that in several interviews. Not quite up to game speed until a few games in.
TWT
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Posted: 8/30/2019 8:35 PM
The overall performance on the offense is a question mark but also who's going to do it. This game will give us an idea of the depth chart at RB/WR.
Last Edited: 8/30/2019 8:36:36 PM by TWT
Rufusbobcat94
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Posted: 8/31/2019 9:04 AM
L.C. wrote:expand_more
the number 1 thing I'm going to watch is the interior of the defensive line. If the DTs are good, the defense will be outstanding. If they are weak, the defense will be disappointing.

Similarly I am going to watch the offensive line. I'm not going to worry about the RB or the WR. If the line can not protect Rourke, and they can not open holes, the WR and RB won't matter, and if they do protect Rourke, and open holes, the WR and RB will be fine.

Agreed.

I think if the interior DL is not good in this game it is trouble because while Rhode Island has an all conference left tackle, it is not known for having a ton of award winners at center and guard.

Meanwhile, I expect the interior of Ohio's offensive line to be very good: center and guards. Ohio will be able to run up the middle and work its zone reads off that.

"Big Red" is a good tackle and it will be interesting how he transitions to LT.

Grimes might not be the RT by season's end but he did play in 7 games last year and is a senior so I hope he puts it all together for a good year.
Last Edited: 8/31/2019 9:13:47 AM by Rufusbobcat94
Rufusbobcat94
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Posted: 8/31/2019 9:32 AM
I'd like to call a shot and say that with Kai Caesar and Marcus Coleman, barring injury, you've got key DTs for the next three years. Caesar has good quickness for his size and looks stronger than last year. I see Caesar having a very nice year this season.

I wouldnt be surprise to see Caesar take over the starting job by the end of non-conference.
Last Edited: 8/31/2019 9:33:19 AM by Rufusbobcat94
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