I will not be surprised if we win, but I'm definitely not expecting it. Hopefully the defense comes to play and we can run the ball as well.

 

Good work as always by Eisenstein and Co.

A significant drop-off between the Virginia and the Cincinnati threads in terms of views and posts, eh? If disappointment with the Virginia game is a contributing factor, I understand.

Ohio has talent and I think things will solidify as we move on. Some positives:

Ohio has some underclassmen who have really played very well: Center Brett Kitrell,left guard Meservy, DEs Will Evans and Amos Ogun-Semore, CB Hudson, and in fewer opportunities, WRs Cox, Minter, Buckner, and Hooks, and I Motley. Out of this group Kitrell, Hudson, and Ogun-Semore have been particularly good considering their ages and experiences: barring injury, I'm confident Kitrell, Hudson, and Ogun-Semore will be All-Mac players.

Linebackers Conner, Dorsa, and Popp (great LB name!) really made strides from week 1 to 2. By strides I mean they looked like they just started to react and not think as much-they were much more involved and impactful. This really bodes well for the defense in October and November. These guys just need some games-they will get there.

Newcomer Cole Baker is a REALLY nice D-1 player at DT or DE: glad he is at Ohio. MAC championships are won with players like Baker.

Papi White has 14 receptions for 285 yards but could have 400+ yards. He is the major weapon Ohio has so far against man coverage. If I am the Ohio QB in a two-three wr set and I read man coverage, I am looking at Papi every time or a check-down.

The offensive line has provided unbelievably great pass-protection on the whole. A few sacks but I'll bet an unreal 4-5+ seconds per pass attempt. I'd put my money on this crew as the best O-line in the MAC. Jsquare (Anderson and Lowery) are so, so good. And I believe in our QBs: if we can hit early throws, the whole offense will blossom. Defenses are stacking the box and daring us to throw-lets show them we can early.

We have one of the best punters in College Football and one of the better Kickers. The punter's current trajectory will land him in the NFL and the PK has really added significant accurate-distance during the offseason and is a pro prospect too.

We can return and cover kicks and punts very well.

We could lose to Cincy but we could really win. Ofcourse we picked the year to play cincy when they have shown they are darn good. And if we lose, we still can get a MAC championship. I think this is where Ohio starts to come together.

OHIO 23
Cincinnati 42

We have to watch out for the referees in the second half and defensive letdowns. The prevent defense at the end of the half was crazy. Go Cats, let’s bring it home.

The Bearcats look like a dazed fighter being given the standing 8 count. We need to make sure we don't let them recover their senses and put them down on the mat. We have certainly answered the bell from the way we played in the first half of our previous games!

Lets not put anybody in the hall of fame in the second half, go Cats.

Safeties have to read better, the tight end is popping out wide open and you can’t leave Dylan coiner in one on coverage without help over the top.

How do you give up that third and 12, let’s go Cats. We can still win.

Can we not hand the ball off 7 yards deep when we are inches from the goal line?

Did we run the same run play on back to back plays at the goal line? Is this high school football? Jeeesum.