It is apparent that Rourke has regressed this year. His passes are not sharpe, as others have mentioned. Thus low scoring games.
We can't seem to create turnovers. No Turnovers means it's more difficult for us to win games.
There is a lack of consistent play on both sides of the ball. As good as the D is there is always a breakdown that leads the opponent to a score, run or pass.

We have 3 games left and I doubt that Timmy will change up his current play calling or QB. If we are fortunate, we could win 2 of the 3 and go to a bowl game, way short of our aspirations to win a MAC Championship. Just another year of a winning season but nothing more. How do we get to the next level?



GO BOBCATS

ps I forgot to add in that special teams has not helped us at all.

More IL $$$$$

It's BCS college football. You either pay to play $$$$ or get out.

We can't afford to pay. We likely shouldn't be playing.

Unless, overachieving to 7 or 8 wins and a trip to Topeka for a December bowl game on ESPN8 is acceptable as the top of the mountain. Then more power to ya.

The BCS is no longer a thing and hasn't been for a decade.

Sorry for the imprecise vernacular. FBS. Same thing. Aka the "big boy league" where you are competing for a national championship.

The OL has been starting primarily the same group all season. They also saw significant action last year. Good stability, lackluster run blocking all year (with just a couple exceptions).

Ohio is where it is this year, bowl eligible, conf hopes slim to none, offense on what appears to be a downward trajectory.

I believe it's time to sit some of the OL - coaches should know which ones and when based on the film. If you're not getting it done in the running game, getting holds & false starts, then one of the younger guys behind you gets a chance. We're going to need to give them playing time for next year anyway.

7-5, 8-4 (optimistically) seem most likely, bottom tier bowl is where we're headed. In the off season, take a hard look at OL coach and OCs tenure in Athens.

I've felt most of the year like special teams has been a real weak spot. Missed FG's, we had an XP blocked against Miami and a FG very nearly blocked. Kick and punt coverage has been an issue in all of the games I have attended. We're now pooch kicking on most kickoffs because we can't cover kicks and don't have a kicker that can get the ball to the end zone. Miami's kicker had a good leg, 7 kickoffs and 0 returns for Ohio. All touchbacks. Punting hang time, I don't know where stats for that can (if even possible) be found, but it seems very low.

The one area with a lot of changes is WR. How has the WR blocking been? That's often the key between a short run and one that goes for big yardage.

I'm willing to use this is an excuse... (Jacoby + Bostic) but do we even run to the edges anymore? I'm not being hyperbolic when I say I can't recall even ONE pitch or run off the tackles.

Just to be clear, I'm not looking for excuses. I'm trying to look at what changed that might have affected the problem, and in doing so, reveal what needs to improve to solve it. The only changes to personnel that I am aware of are to Jacoby and Bostic, plus Meservy. In addition to his ability to do cartwheels, Meservy was a very good guard who started for 4-5 years, if I remember correctly, but I find it hard to believe that the loss of a single lineman alone was the cause of the dropoff in rushing production. If Meservy had been a 1st round draft pick, maybe....

There are lots of other possible reasons, too. For example, part of it may be that MAC defenses have now seen enough of Ohio's offense to find defensive solutions that take away the plays that Ohio ran so effectively last year. I have no doubt that the coaches are studying the film, trying to find solutions to the problem, or problems, and that they are making changes accordingly. With >7 days between each of the remaining games, it will be a good time to implement some changes.

As said elsewhere, I think the most important change might be being more unpredictable in terms of the snap count.