BobcatAttack.com - For Fans of Ohio University Sports

Welcome Guest!
Create an Account

site search

where to watch

about us

advertise with us

help

BobcatAttack.com Message Board

Ohio Football

Topic: Thoughts on the Season so far

Topic: Thoughts on the Season so far

Author

Message

L.C.
General User

Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,470

Status: Offline

Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/2/2016 7:22:46 PM

Obviously the first game was a major disappointment, but since then the team has played well. The defensive front seven has been everything I expected, winning every game up front. Even Tennessee had trouble running against them. The secondary struggled badly in the first game, but has been improving. If they continue to improve, the defense will just get better and better, but as it stands, I'm still a little nervous against passing teams.

As for the offense, it hasn't been as good as I expected, for a couple reasons. Windham and Maxwell look serviceable at QB, and the running back position, though ravaged by injury, was very deep, and hasn't been a problem yet. My biggest disappointment so far has been the offensive line, which hasn't given up many sacks, but which hasn't opened up holes for the running backs, and in particular, which hasn't been able to dominate in the red zone. The BG game last year was where the offensive line had a major turnaround, and after BG, they played well the rest of the way. We're back to BG, and I'd like to seem them turn things around against BG again.

Then there are special teams, which have exceeded my expectations. Other than the kickoff return by Kansas, what's not to like?

In total, this team is improving. They still have areas to improve, but on the whole, I think they are on the right track. If the offensive line comes together, and the running backs start averaging 4-5 yards a carry the rest of the way, that will open up the play action passing, and the offense will get back where it should be.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

Victory
General User

Member Since: 3/10/2012
Post Count: 2,273

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/2/2016 7:38:56 PM

L.C. wrote:

Then there are special teams, which have exceeded my expectations. Other than the kickoff return by Kansas, what's not to like?

There has to be someone on campus that can kick it deep on kickoffs.

ytownbobcat
General User

Member Since: 8/7/2006
Post Count: 1,253

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/2/2016 7:42:10 PM

Because of the competition it is hard to assess. Two wins against poor teams, a loss to a poor team and the Tennessee game.
It may be a while until we know what we have. Upcoming games against MAC EAST are not a very stern test.
It may be until we get to Toledo and Central before we know what kind of team we have.

I have been most pleased with special teams and the solid play of Greg Windham. It has been a few years since we had a stellar O line. Basham is incredible as are our linebackers.

The offense is only going to be as good as the O line.

Last Edited: 10/2/2016 7:43:40 PM by ytownbobcat

AlumDadDad
General User

Member Since: 10/18/2015
Post Count: 568

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/2/2016 7:42:28 PM

Good assessment. I was disappointed that the offensive line didn't get more of a push against the Miami defense. I haven't heard much about injuries on the OL. Are they relatively healthy or are we all just preoccupied with the backfield injuries?

colobobcat66
General User

Member Since: 9/1/2006
Location: Watching the bobcats run outside my window., CO
Post Count: 4,467

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/2/2016 8:05:12 PM

Victory wrote:

L.C. wrote:

Then there are special teams, which have exceeded my expectations. Other than the kickoff return by Kansas, what's not to like?

There has to be someone on campus that can kick it deep on kickoffs.

It also seems that our returns on punts and kickoffs are below average, , but I haven't checked the stats.

MonroeClassmate
General User

Member Since: 8/31/2010
Post Count: 2,090

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/2/2016 9:18:43 PM

Vs MAC teams (Toledo hasn't played yet)

OHIO's Total Defense #2 Miami #1
OHIO's Total Offense last, followed closely by Miami.

We didn't learn too much in this game other than that Miami's defense for one game gave up only 3 more points than OHIO's. Does Miami's defense get the credit for the bottom feeder offensive yards made by OHIO?

Both BG and Eastern against each other gave up a ton of offense. BG rushed for 206 and passed for 250. It is only one game stats but OHIO must put up good numbers at home the next two weeks against the two teams that gave up the most yardage save for Balls. Relying on the defense to score a TD each week in MAC games to give a late margin is living on the edge. (Aided and abetted by the fantastic special teams downing a punt at the one)

Quick, without looking--which team leads the MAC vs MAC in total offense?

L.C.
General User

Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,470

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/2/2016 10:19:13 PM

The other thing that needs to improve dramatically is red zone performance, both on offense and defense. Of course, if the offensive line can improve, that fixes the offensive red zone performance, but the defense needs to improve as well. The offense is scoring 4.1 points/red zone trip, 9th in the MAC, while the defense is giving up 5.9 points per red zone trip, dead last in the MAC.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

Cats-22
General User

Member Since: 9/30/2006
Post Count: 370

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/2/2016 11:38:35 PM

I agree with basically all of that, the one part I'd debate is RBs. I think health at RB is a big factor. Vinny filled in admirably and Hardy's been effective. But the offense operates at a different level when all three of Brown, Irons, and White are healthy. We haven't seen that since Kansas, and the rush game vs. Kansas was a sight to behold. I realize it's Kansas but not everybody ran like that on them.

It might be OL just had a better day against Kansas.

But, I'm hopeful as MAC play continues and those RBs work back in, we'll see more production.

The defensive front seven is something else. Really good.

Last Edited: 10/2/2016 11:40:58 PM by Cats-22

L.C.
General User

Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,470

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/2/2016 11:53:56 PM

A lot of the rushing against Kansas came on Windham runs. Kansas was selling out on the pass rush, and opened themselves up to those QB runs. Brown did have a >100 yard game, and I'd like to see more of those by running backs as we move forward.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

Cats-22
General User

Member Since: 9/30/2006
Post Count: 370

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/3/2016 4:15:28 AM

I honestly don't remember the details that well, I did see the Windham numbers but was imagining those arose more from KU selling out on the RB in the option or zone read, not so much the pass rush. I'll take your word for it. I just remember being impressed by the offense in that game.

I didn't mention him before but -- losing AJ hurts even if all the other RBs are healthy. AJ is a really good player.

Sidenote I did like how Hardy and Irons played against Miami. Hardy hit probably the best holes of the day very well. Irons turned in a workmanlike performance, kept pounding it upfield. It wasn't a good rushing day for the team in general, but I felt the RBs took what was there.

Last Edited: 10/3/2016 4:22:35 AM by Cats-22

Robert Fox
General User

Member Since: 11/16/2004
Location: Knoxville, TN
Post Count: 2,039

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/3/2016 8:50:39 AM

Victory wrote:

L.C. wrote:

Then there are special teams, which have exceeded my expectations. Other than the kickoff return by Kansas, what's not to like?

There has to be someone on campus that can kick it deep on kickoffs.

I know there is. ;-)

Agree the kickoffs are frustratingly short. Don't know if that's by design or not. He's getting hang-time just not a deep ball. I suspect he's being coached to sky kick it. Our coverage has been suspect at times. Don't know what the opponent's average start position is, but I'd guess we're not leading the MAC.

OUcats82
General User

Member Since: 1/9/2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Post Count: 1,862

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/3/2016 9:08:28 AM

We are pretty much where I thought we would be so far this year sans Texas State. That game may have been a blessing in disguise in some ways perhaps as it showed our players that they have to scratch and claw for everything. Even in the loss to Tennessee I felt like we saw maximum effort and were never a big play from being in front in that game. It was about the best you could hope for in a loss against a team that hoped to purchase a victory.

While I was frustrated with the offense in the Miami game, I, for now, view it for what it was-a road game against a team whose backs were against the wall and fought like heck to notch their first win of the year. They have a very scrappy defense and we are playing with a short deck on offense. Overall I was pleased with our defense-I know their offense is not lighting up the scoreboard but we held them to their lowest output all year by ten points. Their backup QB showed his age a lot of times but that's what you are supposed to do. The hit in the endzone that scored the final points was a nice way to put away a rival. We chalked up the most important stat-the W.

Will be very interested in watching how Miami fares against Akron this week.

Moving forward the offense will need to kick it into high gear. I want to obliterate BG this weekend! But I will take a solid win and no more injuries too. We are good enough to beat anyone in the East but can also lose to anyone, too if we take them lightly. Need to take advantage of back to back home games and a winnable game up in Portage County to close out games played on Saturday.

Ohio-The State University

OU_Country
General User

Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
Post Count: 8,351

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/3/2016 11:33:57 AM

Short of the Texas State loss, this has been an as expected season so far in terms of results.

I've been impressed with Windham for the most part. Tough, accurate enough, shows arm strength when needed.

The RBs, despite the injuries, have done their parts pretty well.

The O-Line needs to get better, and probably will. I concur.

The front seven have been as advertised in my opinion. Let's hope that continues.

Here's the question I have to bring up: At what point are the rash of injuries going to be something the leads to changes in how things are done? It seems like every year OUr team is the most injured one by the time we reach week 4 or 5. Our RBs in particular seem to have the injury bug annually. What was considered one of the deepest position groups had to scrape by versus Miami to get enough healthy bodies. It's a trend that should be a concern for the coaching staff.

Ohio69
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 3,039

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/3/2016 12:18:28 PM

I still worry that an accurate QB can carve us up. And our program is not built to win shoot outs.

Last Edited: 10/3/2016 12:18:46 PM by Ohio69

Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....

L.C.
General User

Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,470

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/3/2016 12:38:17 PM

OU_Country wrote:

...Here's the question I have to bring up: At what point are the rash of injuries going to be something the leads to changes in how things are done? It seems like every year OUr team is the most injured one by the time we reach week 4 or 5. Our RBs in particular seem to have the injury bug annually. What was considered one of the deepest position groups had to scrape by versus Miami to get enough healthy bodies. It's a trend that should be a concern for the coaching staff.

The odd thing is that is each year it seems like a different position gets hit. This year is it running backs. Last year it was linebackers. In 2014 it was Safeties. In 2013 it was Tight Ends. In 2012 it was everyone. All through this, the offensive line kept getting hit as well, but this year not so much.

This year the level of injuries actually seems pretty average. Don's Best lists 7 injured players, which is pretty normal, and only one out for the season. The others are all questionable for BG, meaning they will probably be back at some point during the year. The only catch is that 4 of the 7 are running backs.
AJ OUellette (foot) - Out for the year
Dorian Brown (hip) - Questionable
Papi White (knee) - Questionable
Vinny Emmanuele (head) - questionable
London Miller (knee) - questionable
Kylan Nelson (ankle) - questionable
Corey Quallen (shoulder) - questionable

Not only that, there is no pattern to the injuries:
Foot - 1
Hip - 1
Knee - 2
Head - 1
Ankle - 1
Shoulder - 1

Ohio69 wrote:

I still worry that an accurate QB can carve us up. And our program is not built to win shoot outs.

That still is my one concern about the defense. The further we get into the season, though, the more experience the secondary will have, and hopefully by the time they face Akron they will be settled in.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

Mike Johnson
General User

Member Since: 11/11/2004
Location: North Canton, OH
Post Count: 1,730

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/3/2016 12:42:00 PM

Ohio69 wrote:

I still worry that an accurate QB can carve us up. And our program is not built to win shoot outs.

Each week the college football landscape is littered with the corpses of defenses carved up by accurate QBs.

http://www.facebook.com/mikejohnson.author

Deciduous Forest Cat
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Ohio
Post Count: 4,413

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/3/2016 1:34:29 PM

Mike Johnson wrote:

Ohio69 wrote:

I still worry that an accurate QB can carve us up. And our program is not built to win shoot outs.

Each week the college football landscape is littered with the corpses of defenses carved up by accurate QBs.

A very October-appropriate observation.

OUcats82
General User

Member Since: 1/9/2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Post Count: 1,862

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/3/2016 3:15:36 PM

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

Mike Johnson wrote:

Ohio69 wrote:

I still worry that an accurate QB can carve us up. And our program is not built to win shoot outs.

Each week the college football landscape is littered with the corpses of defenses carved up by accurate QBs.

A very October-appropriate observation.

Darkness falls across the land
The kickoff hour is close at hand
QBs pass, in search of blood
To terrorize y'awl's stadium
And whosoever shall be found
Without the reach for knocking balls down
Must stand and face the raucous yell
As the scoreboard digits begin to swell
The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of forty thousand yards
And wide receivers find lots of room
In your secondary to seal your doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your safeties starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of the (gun)slinger

Ohio-The State University

OhioBobcat
General User

Member Since: 1/20/2006
Post Count: 1,618

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/3/2016 3:58:55 PM

Season is exactly what I expected and thought it would be with the exception of the loss to Texas State.

Monroe Slavin
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Oxnard, CA
Post Count: 9,121

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/16/2016 2:32:55 AM

L.C. wrote:

I presume that you'll post this blah, blah, blah improving type stuff again despite reality.

I've held my tongue for several weeks letting you pollyannas have your way while your position seemed fairly tenable.

It's been four years of descent. It's been about three years of me pointing that out and your type denying reality.

Why don't you be as magnanimous as I was? Why don't you allow for the possibility that I'm right and stay away until it changes?

Where's the band?!
WHERE"S THE BAND?!

DesignspiritUSA.com
The Pets On The Go Collection of pet gear travel bags
The Holiday Tote Bigg Bagg Collection--over-sized, reversible, extra pockets; now love carrying packages as much as you love shopping!

OU_Country
General User

Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
Post Count: 8,351

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/16/2016 8:23:12 AM

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

Mike Johnson wrote:

Ohio69 wrote:

I still worry that an accurate QB can carve us up. And our program is not built to win shoot outs.

Each week the college football landscape is littered with the corpses of defenses carved up by accurate QBs.

A very October-appropriate observation.

And confirmation that the Maxwell Era as starting QB should begin next week.

100%Cat
General User

Member Since: 1/17/2013
Post Count: 2,561

Status: Offline

RE: Thoughts on the Season so far

Posted: 10/16/2016 1:09:20 PM

OU_Country wrote:

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

Mike Johnson wrote:

Ohio69 wrote:

I still worry that an accurate QB can carve us up. And our program is not built to win shoot outs.

Each week the college football landscape is littered with the corpses of defenses carved up by accurate QBs.

A very October-appropriate observation.

And confirmation that the Maxwell Era as starting QB should begin next week.

I don't think anyone in the area code 740 could argue that the offense ran as well with Windham as it did with Maxwell yesterday. Maxwell seemed to make the right reads, quickly, and got the ball out faster than Windham. He may not be as great a runner but he was certainly mobile enough.

Showing Replies:	1 - 22 of 22 Posts
Jump to Page:	1

View Other 'Ohio Football' Topics

There are 230 Active Visitors on BobcatAttack.com

229 Guests
1 Registered User:
	Bobcatfan89

There are no other users looking at this page.