Use this thread to talk about anything game-related. For away games, we'll have a separate travel thread.

Date: September 13th, 2025 7:00 PM

Opponent: Ohio St.  (2-0)

Site: Ohio Stadium

TV/Webcast: Peacock

Radio: The Varsity Network App (free) 

OSU statistics, roster and media guide

OSU message boards:  Eleven Warriors    Buckeye Huddle

+33.5 or +34.5 depending on betting site.

32.5 on Caesars and MGM

I will be travelling from Charlotte to show my support for our BOBCATS.





GO BOBCATS

In many ways it is a shame that Ohio State is at the height of its powers, because this is the Ohio team that could’ve gotten one of those Tressel or Fickell vanilla punt-forward sleepwalking teams 15 years ago.

I'll be in the house, making fun of all the fans that are routinely spelling out the name of their opponent. My hope is a solid start, even a few Ohio first downs and an OSU punt will be enough to throw everyone in Columbus to a state of depression and anger.

I have to imagine they will have our way with us downfield. As impressed as I was with our defense last week, their deep threat options are on another planet.

Probably the most insane state I've ever heard:

Ohio State hasn't lost an in-state matchup since 1921.


*Edit*

Though now that I google it, OSU didn't play a single team from Ohio between 1934-1992.

OSU didn't play Akron from 1896 to 2000
OSU didn't play Miami (OH) from 1912 to 1999
OSU didn't play OU from 1903 to 2000


Still crazy, but not *that crazy.

Strange things happen in sports, but I'm not under any delusions that we have a real shot. I just don't want another Terrelle Pryor/Teddy Bridgewater special. I'll take a 42-14 where we look competent, have an aggressive approach to moving the ball and scoring, and we stay healthy. A 56-0 or the like would be tough to stomach.

Yeah, I saw it open at 34.5 early Sunday, and get down to 31.5 on ESPN bet and then bounce back part way.

Grambling's coach said something like, "Look, We understand what is about to happen here, but our band is here to compete with theirs," in one of the rare instances where a coach says he can't win. We are around a 75-1 shot here I think. If the line is in the mid-low thirties you are in the range where it happens a few times a decade out of several hundred chances. There is no expectation of a win here at all but at least we are in the range where many bigger upsets have happened in sports history. I expect that we are putting together a gameplan with intent to try to win rather than just to get work in. There is no way Coach Smith makes a comment like that this week.

Zero desire to watch any of this. Nephew lives just a few blocks away so the family and I could totally make a day of it but TBH, I don't think I'll even turn it on the radio. I'll see you all on the 20th for Gardner-Webb.

Win this game and I will be fine with not winning another game for the rest of the decade. That's how badly I want to shove it in the face of the most pretentious, obnoxious fanbase in the history of the world. I've prayed to every Deity that I can think of to make this happen.

This should be a bannable offense.

Are we going to lose? Most likely. But it’s still the Cats taking on the Bucks.

Sure they haven’t lost to an instate opponent since Warren G. Harding was president.

Sure, they haven’t lost to a non Power 5 team since 1990.

Sure, they have Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs.

But why not us? Why not this year?

That being said, OSU ML but Ohio +32.5

In any of the following Ohio wins starting with the Grobe years have the Bobcats ever not been the underdog? Minnesota, Maryland, Kentucky, Pitt, Illinois, Penn State, Kansas, Kansas, Iowa State. In any of the program's bowl wins, has Ohio ever not been the underdog?

No expectations whatsoever about this game. We all knew months ago that this would be an automatic L.

For me, it's just a matter of how the Bobcats will handle the game, in terms of mental toughness, preparation, body language, etc. Those things.

If we can get in a couple of "Oh, that was nice." moments, that would be enough.

We were favored at home against Kansas and I am pretty sure @Kansas as well. I am not sure about the latter.

34.5 is bull5hit, excuse my French.

If they were playing WVU the line would be half of that.

And we just beat WVU if I recall correctly.

Chat GPT believes in us:

For Ohio (the Bobcats) to shock the world and beat Ohio State (the Buckeyes) this Saturday night in Columbus, here’s what would realistically need to happen:

1. Win the Turnover Battle (and by a lot)

Ohio State is loaded with five-star talent everywhere. The only way a MAC team hangs is if the Buckeyes beat themselves a little.

Ohio needs 3+ takeaways—a strip-sack, an interception on a tipped ball, maybe even a muffed punt.

If Ohio doesn’t have a plus-2 or better turnover margin, it’s nearly impossible to pull the upset.

2. Shorten the Game

Ohio State thrives when they can roll out wave after wave of skill talent. Ohio needs to limit possessions:

Long, clock-eating drives led by QB Parker Navarro (who has real dual-threat ability).

Establishing the run early—even just three yards at a time—keeps Ohio State’s offense on the sideline.

Convert on 3rd and 4th downs to keep the clock moving.

Think Army/Navy style: ugly, but effective.

3. Special Teams Magic

Every historic upset features a “did you see that?!” moment:

A blocked punt or kick return touchdown flips momentum.

Perfect execution on a fake punt or onside kick could steal a possession.

If Ohio plays straight up in special teams, they’re at a disadvantage. They need to gamble here.

4. Limit Explosive Plays

Ohio State has wideouts (like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate) who can break the game open. Ohio must:

Play deep safeties, keep everything in front.

Force OSU to drive 10+ plays instead of scoring in 2.

Hope that patience leads to a Buckeye mistake.

5. Navarro’s Career Game

The quarterback is the equalizer in college football. Navarro has to:

Hit on at least two deep shots to loosen Ohio State’s defense.

Rush for 80–100 yards on broken plays.

Be mistake-free (no picks, no fumbles).

If he’s just “average,” Ohio doesn’t have a chance.

6. Crowd/Pressure Factor

Ohio State will be a 34-point favorite and may come in flat. If Ohio jumps out early (say, 10–0 or 14–7 after one quarter), the pressure flips: the Buckeye crowd gets quiet, players tighten up, and suddenly every drive feels like do-or-die for the heavy favorite.

7. One Breakout Hero

Upsets often hinge on an unexpected star:

A backup RB who suddenly busts a 60-yard TD.

A DB who has the game of his life with two picks.

A defensive lineman who’s in the QB’s face all night.

Ohio needs that kind of performance from someone not on the scouting report.

The Formula

Turnovers: +3 or better.

Time of Possession: 35+ minutes.

Explosive Plays Allowed: Fewer than 3.

Navarro: 300+ total yards, 3 TDs.

Special Teams: At least one game-changing play.

Do those things—and catch Ohio State in a look-ahead or flat performance—and suddenly the impossible becomes possible.

Completely disagree. Line for WVU would be 30+. They are routinely favored by 30+ in Big Ten matchups. This is Vegas saying we are like a low level Big Ten team.

tOSU doesn't play a ranked team until October 11th

I can't see them "looking ahead." They have to know about the win over WVU too.

To that list I would add an injury to a key OSU player, i.e. Sayin or Smith. Or both. Especially Sayin. Get a back-up QB and take our chances loading the line of scrimmage.

Injuries are a part of the game. I'll take a shocking upset anyway I can get it.

+1, I actually guessed the line correctly before it came out (just ask my wife lol).

34.5 is spot on. There's a chance they are double digit favorites in every game they play this year, including Penn State depending on how things shake out.

OSU could decide not to open up the playbook and keep it closer since Ohio is a backyard school. WVU was not a ranked team and the Big 12 is a step down from the Big Ten these days so I'm not sure it makes anyone worried, outside the MAC of course.

As for beating the Buckeyes on Saturday, from the outside looking in it looks like an insurmountable task. However, go back to March 19, 2021 when the 2nd seeded Buckeyes took on the 15th seeded Golden Eagles of Oral Roberts University in the "Big Dance". Prior to that game basically the entire world outside of the good folks/alums from ORU thought this was going to be a cakewalk for the Buckeyes. Then the Buckeyes got embarrassed on National TV and ORU went on to take out Florida and lose in the last seconds by a bucket to Arkansas. Anything is possible though not really probable. Go Bobcats!

If we manage to keep it within 34 I guess I would be pretty happy with that. I would hope to keep them below a 50 spot. I think they see OU has some potential power that could keep OSU's foot on the gas, more than say a Grambling or other MAC games of the past. What could happen though, is OU keeps it close in the 1st or they go into the half and it's like 24-10, and they're like OH HELLO and wake up. Keeping starters in and start pouring it on.

I thought that opening 31.5 was giving us quite a bit of respect, considering like Andrew noted half the Big 10 will be 25-30+ dogs.

Last Season Spreads:
Purdue - 37
Northwestern - 28
Michigan State - 23.5
Nebraska - 25
Indiana - 12.5
Iowa - 17

(Marshall was a 40 point dog, Akron 49.)

Yes, that's about what this line is. Rutgers would only be a little less than that. Probably close 4 TDs. Vegas clearly thought WVU was about a TD better than us if we were at home and a 3 point dog. I doubt one 7 point win is enough to make oddsmakers think we are better and move it 7 points. WVU is probably around 31, however.