Check this out from PFF. Rourke is #1 among FBS QBs against the pressure in the pocket, and it's not even close: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DrZwQpUXgAEdhmA.jpg

Pretty impressive stuff.

Another reason why I said I wanted to see the ball in Rourke's hands more. I got blasted for that.

But the last few games, Rourke's production has skyrocketed ... and he's been given the keys the car.

I think Ohio wins tonight if Albin doesn't go conservative. I'm not saying be reckless ... but unsuccessfully pounding AJ/Irons UTM because "that's what Frank Solich teams do" isn't what makes this team successful.

Let Rourke do what he's been doing ... RPOs ... rollouts ... throwing the ball.

Let your best player be your best player.

Albin shut it down vs. Akron last year after jumping out 21-10

Ohio possessions after 21-10 lead

• 3-and-out (three runs for 0 yards)
• Fumbled Kickoff
• 11-play, 74-yard drive for FG ... because Ohio couldn't score from 1-yard line and kicked a 19-yard FG
• 3-and-out (couldn't covert 3rd & 2 ... AJ UTM)
• 7 play drive that stalled at Akron 42 yard line because of half
• 3-and-out to start the 2nd half
• FG ... but nearly a 3-and-out ... bailed out by Akron pass interference
• 3-and-out
• 3-and-interception
• FINALLY, AN 11-PLAY, 71 YD TD DRIVE after Akron outscored Ohio 27-6 for 2.5 quarters
• 4 plays, turnover on downs at midfield

Akron runs out the clock. Sound familiar (a little like the UC game this year??)

So in total ...

Ohio has 11 possessions
5 Three-and-outs
1 TD, 2 FGs
1 turnover
1 end of the half
1 turnover on downs

Ohio started the game with TDs in 3 of their first 4 possessions ... the only one that didn't end in a TD was because of an INT inside Akron territory.

Ohio was in a position to blow that game wide open ... and nearly did up 21-10.

I'd love to see them not take their foot off the pedal tonight and revert to their "run it up the middle on 1st down" every drive.

On the 7 non-successful Ohio drives ... here are your first down plays

• Rourke -3 yard run
• Ouellette 8 yard gain
• Rourke 11 yard run
• Rourke pass (pass interference on Akron) ... next play ... Rourke 1 yd loss on 1st down
• Rourke incompletion
• Rourke incompletion (pass interference on Akron ... next play ... AJ 3 yd gain
• AJ 1 yd gain

4 runs ... 3 passes (2/3 had bailout interference calls only to be followed up by runs)

Albin got predictable and Akron took advantage.

On the 7 scoring drives

• Rourke 8 yard run
• AJ 4 yard run
• Brown run (from Akron 5 yard line after blocked punt)
• Rourke 27 yard pass
• Rourke 19 yard pass
• Rourke 6 yard pass

3 pass, 3 runs (one because they started the drive from 5-yard line)

Anyhow ... a little less conservative.

When Albin goes conservative, Ohio does not win.

I'm hoping on the road, with a lot on the line ... that Ohio lets it loose.

BUT ... I will say this. If Ohio finds success running the ball, then it doesn't take a genius to understand they should keep pounding down Miami's throat.

My point is .... if the running game is picking up 1-3 yards per carry ... let Rourke open it up.

This was their downfall vs NIU when they just kept running into a brick wall.

Ohio's offense could do little wrong vs. Ball, BG and WMU ... let's hope that success continues tonight at Miami. But if they run into any adversity .... keep your fingers crossed Albin doesn't go into a shell.

Question is, have Solich and Albin learned from the Akron, and especially the Cinci games? If the scores of the last 3 games are any indication, then the answer's a great big yes.

But the point is well taken-DO NOT GET CONSERVATIVE ON OFFENSE!!!!

Just out of curiosity, who is behind this PFF website and what are his/her/their qualifications to evaluate QB performance?

And what does the acronym "PFF" stand for?

Fair question. Stands for pro football focus. They're a football data service, and I think a pretty highly regarded one since their clients include 40+ FBS teams.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/team-services

Pro football focus is very highly regarded, they rate all college and pro players. NFL scouts use PFf

That was as poor of an offensive performance as I can remember in a big game.

Other than Ouellette, what did this offense do?

The way Albin called the game, he took the running game almost totally off the table.

Can't run when you're down 21 points.

How can you go 12 runs and then 7 straight passes while Miami builds a 21-point lead

Just absurd decision making yet again.

Rourke did NOT handle the pressure well tonight. Pressure from Miami ... pressure with the importance of this game. All of it seemed too much.

He's got a TON of talent ... but this is two years ago he's fallen kind of flat in a huge game (Akron in 2017 and tonight vs. Miami). Didn't see that coming. Albin didn't do him any favors adjusting his play-calling and putting them in position to succeed ... but is that a surprise to anyone?

Russ and Rob, who I was listening to because Rocky Boiman's commentary kills brain cells permanently, really had a great feel for this one early. They called that Ohio was in trouble really early in the first quarter when I thought they were overreacting. Shows how traveling with the team and seeing every snap gives you a feel for those things.

I have said all year that our clock management SUCKS.

The other big thing I notice is we rarely have wide receivers who create separation. We are almost always closely guarded but we dooften times make some great catches. On the other hand, our opponents seem to have little trouble separating from our DBs and Ss. What do you think the reasoning is?