BobcatAttack.com - For Fans of Ohio University Sports

Welcome Guest!
Create an Account

site search

about us

advertise with us

help

BobcatAttack.com Message Board

Ohio Football

Topic: Program has taken a step backward

Topic: Program has taken a step backward

Author

Message

lovebobcat
General User

Member Since: 12/23/2004
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Post Count: 521

Status: Offline

Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/4/2014 6:50:36 PM

I'm in knee-jerk reaction mode after that loss, but WOW. Our team was just manhandled by a not-all-that-great CMU team. Dominated in every facet of the game.

I now suspect this team won't even get to 6-6, ending our bowl streak and making this official:
The program has regressed.

Two years ago at this point, we were 7-0, ranked No. 23 or 24 (I forget which), and being dubbed "The Next Boise State."

We are 12-13 since, including 6-9 in MAC games. Plus, the talent level has fallen off, due in part to the graduation of players but also in part to some mediocre recruiting. And, of course, the program continues to be snakebit by injuries, seemingly always to the most impactful players.

I love Frank. I really do. I'm not calling for his head, and I won't. But it's frustrating to see him stick with an offensive coordinator who is this inept. Frank, your loyalty is hurting the program.

I look at the talent on this roster and recognize it's a rebuilding year, but how much better are we going to be next year? I'm not sure this is upper-tier MAC talent even a year or two from now.

I have no answers to this. I'm just frustrated at how evident it is that this season is going nowhere. I'm coming to Athens the next two weekends but am already dreading seeing two home losses.

Anyone else feel like the sky is falling?

Last Edited: 10/4/2014 9:09:08 PM by lovebobcat

Deciduous Forest Cat
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Ohio
Post Count: 4,466

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/4/2014 7:12:25 PM

WE might beat Miami. maybe. I just don't really see a win in there, though honestly. I know that we tend to have a clunker like this in the middle of the season, to which we overreact, but this is becoming the norm. This is a bad football team. We just got held to less than 200 yards by a mid-pack MAC team that is barely keeping their coach from getting canned.

TWT
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Alexandria, VA
Post Count: 5,169

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/4/2014 7:50:32 PM

Giving up 28 points on the road in a loss doesn't say to me that it was a talent issue. Obviously there is enough talent to stay on the field with a MAC team. The offense has not performed against MAC level defenses or higher in competition. The injuries to me are not an excuse. You'll have injuries every year. The problem is the offense under FS isn't built around proven yardage strategies. Its built to surprise the opponent like a poker game. Do you bet that Ohio will run up the middle again? Oh you didn't think that would happen look we picked up 5 more yards. Now there are games where I've seen the trickery work and keep us in a ball game. A conventional offense with players position by position recruited to fit a role in that offense is what the program needs. An overload of highly talented backs is great but how do they fit into an offense? 10 years and an offense that is averaging 19 points per game is not Frank expected when he spent a year on the sidelines at Oklahoma to figure out how they are able to put 70 points on the board. Solich has had a good run at Ohio but its time for a new staff with a reputation for a high performance offense. Solich never had that reputation and doesn't to this day. He's under contract until June of 2017 and I see him finishing out that contract based on his body of work and with changes happening to the sport with concussions at the forefront, full cost of attendance and fundraising to the new academic center I don't see the stomach for cutting Frank early. Its time to start thinking about the future though as its past the time where Frank can be serious about winning the MAC.

Most Memorable Bobcat Events Attended
2010 97-83 win over Georgetown in NCAA 1st round
2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
2015 34-3 drubbing of Miami @ Peden front of 25,086

TWT
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Alexandria, VA
Post Count: 5,169

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/4/2014 8:09:18 PM

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

It was a bad team from the first week but there was hope. The question up until about now is how good or bad is the competition? Kent State has been a decent MAC team. Marshall has turned out to be the real deal. Kentucky has upgraded talent and we held them to 20 points. Half way through the season we can see that Kent State is terrible and CMU is not a real contender in the MAC West. The cloak is off the season now and this is not a Top 100 football team. You are right there may not be another win to be had this year after a tall midget performance the first half of the season.

Most Memorable Bobcat Events Attended
2010 97-83 win over Georgetown in NCAA 1st round
2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
2015 34-3 drubbing of Miami @ Peden front of 25,086

Alan Swank
General User

Member Since: 12/11/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,206

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/4/2014 8:46:08 PM

Uncle Wes wrote:

Try a paragraph or two. This is hard to read.

Cats-22
General User

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

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/4/2014 8:54:44 PM

Northern Illinois squeaked by Kent 17-14 today, same score as Ohio-Kent.

The defense did some good things today. Any loss in a winnable game is a step backward, but I wouldn't give up on this year's team just yet.

Monroe Slavin
General User

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

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/4/2014 9:04:26 PM

Cats-22 wrote:

I disagree vehemently. You don't see significant things that are sub-par on this team at this point and over the last 25 games? Things that need changing?

We must be watching different games.

Please point out to me some things that we do reasonably well against good teams, some things that mark us as even such a not-very-high standard as top of the MAC.

To compare us to NIU is to not be very comprehending.

Last Edited: 10/4/2014 9:05:13 PM by Monroe Slavin

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!

Cats-22
General User

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

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/4/2014 9:12:41 PM

I just said I wouldn't give up on the team, and that the defense did some good things. There's definitely lots to be improved, I don't think anyone is arguing that.

OhioCatFan
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 14,743

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/4/2014 9:25:50 PM

Cats-22 wrote:

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org

Monroe Slavin
General User

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

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/4/2014 10:38:48 PM

Cats-22 wrote:

I just said I wouldn't give up on the team, and that the defense did some good things. There's definitely lots to be improved, I don't think anyone is arguing that.

That's your view.

Mine is that this has been going on for a long time. And to see that and to let it continue is just not the way to go. Especially when we somewhat casual observers can point out what's wrong and suggest reasonably decent solutions...but see nothing but the same same same in our play.

I don't enjoy people losing their jobs, save for moral problems. I'd love all of the current staff to stay and show marked improvement. But if there's no improvement, it's pretty clear that there must be change.

And I mean N O W. Not year end. We've seen this same old subpar offense for too long.

Last Edited: 10/4/2014 10:39:57 PM by Monroe Slavin

C Money
General User

Member Since: 8/28/2010
Post Count: 3,420

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/4/2014 11:01:07 PM

Uncle Wes wrote:

Its built to surprise the opponent like a poker game.

Not poker. Blackjack. It's built to get to 20, and then just hope the other team doesn't get 21.

Casper71
General User

Member Since: 12/1/2006
Post Count: 3,090

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/4/2014 11:31:46 PM

Should have said a BIGG or GIANT step backwards...like the last 25 games!

GoCats105
General User

Member Since: 1/31/2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Post Count: 7,430

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/5/2014 12:17:40 PM

C Money wrote:

Uncle Wes wrote:

Its built to surprise the opponent like a poker game.

Not poker. Blackjack. It's built to get to 20, and then just hope the other team doesn't get 21.

This is the best analogy I've heard in a while and its so true. The team is averaging 18.27 ppg in the last 11 games.

In those 11 games, the only wins have come against opponents who are just downright awful (UMass '13, Kent, Idaho, and EIU). Against teams that actually have a pulse, the offense is damn near non existent.

The games are unwatchable.

TWT
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Alexandria, VA
Post Count: 5,169

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/5/2014 8:47:53 PM

Cats-22 wrote:

I just said I wouldn't give up on the team, and that the defense did some good things. There's definitely lots to be improved, I don't think anyone is arguing that.

Next week is at home and against BG who is not looking to hot this year. There is a chance we pull out a win next week and then up is Akron. Akron is on pace to be the East champ with the way their D can play. We've got to pick up the pace the next two weeks but its possible.

Most Memorable Bobcat Events Attended
2010 97-83 win over Georgetown in NCAA 1st round
2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
2015 34-3 drubbing of Miami @ Peden front of 25,086

LuckySparrow
General User

Member Since: 10/15/2012
Location: Illinois
Post Count: 1,754

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/5/2014 9:29:27 PM

I wasn't able to watch much of Saturday's game, but I have to ask. What on earth where the positives from the defense? Or any positives at all? Bonnstetter must have had a career day.

The frustrating thing here is that there seems to be a lack of quality solutions or adjustments being made by the coaching staff. I like the most recent recruiting class and we've seen some good things from Freshmen like Pruehs & McCray on the OL.

Of course, the past few seasons we've had some bad luck with injuries which has exposed our lack of depth. Frustrating, to be sure.

Easily the biggest disappointment from Sunday's game is the defense. The secondary isn't great especially with guys hurt but the front 7 is pretty damn rock solid. And to get slammed like that is disconcerting for as much as I've been raving about our defensive potential this season.

We'll see what happens in the upcoming weeks. Either the downfall continues or guys begin improving and playing up to their potential.

What a day at the Convo.....Wow!

perimeterpost
General User

Member Since: 7/6/2010
Post Count: 3,165

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/5/2014 9:47:46 PM

LuckySparrow wrote:

How is the defense easily the biggest disappointment? Through 3 quarters our offense did not have a drive last for more than 5 plays or longer than 1:47. Ohio's offense had 2 first down through 3 quarters and one of those came from a CMU penalty. You can't leave the defense on the field for over 42 minutes and be mad that the other team had 4 scoring drives. Ohio's defense caused a fumble and ran it back to CMU's 5 yard line late in the 2nd quarter only down 14. Ohio's offense responded by going -2yds on 3 downs and kicking a FG. What more do you want our defense to do?

MY STATE. MY TEAM.

OhioCatFan
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 14,743

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/5/2014 9:55:42 PM

perimeterpost wrote:

ytownbobcat
General User

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

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/5/2014 10:01:34 PM

Looking for positive from the CMU game. Kicking game is fixed and kick coverages are quite good. Shout out to our TE Troy Mangen. I think he is getting better every game. Good blocker and catches everything that is close to him.
Linebacking crew is very good. Open field tackling by Javon Johnson and Blair Brown is the best we have had in a few years.

Casper71
General User

Member Since: 12/1/2006
Post Count: 3,090

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/5/2014 10:20:47 PM

Too bad our defense didn't put an 0-10/12 on 3rd down conversions at CMU. They can't stop anything.

Paul Graham
General User

Member Since: 1/18/2005
Location: The Plains, OH
Post Count: 1,424

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/5/2014 11:21:09 PM

ytownbobcat wrote:

Agreed ytown! Jovon, Blair and Poling are a good group. But, they are really 3 OLB's...a true middle linebacker would be nice.

Monroe Slavin
General User

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

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/6/2014 1:17:02 AM

Defense is not the problem beyond that the d-line makes very, very few plays, our pass coverage leaves guys wide open, we give up scores on the first or first two drives of every game and opponents seem miraculous against us on third down. And we don't seem to try to do anything to change that.

The above is not being sarcastic. The D has problems but it's the offense that's the BIG problem.

Monroe Slavin
General User

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

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/6/2014 1:25:36 AM

http://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/stat/opponen...

Then again, it is the defense.

Don't be surprised if it's not pretty this weekend. Seems to be no reason to think that we'll do anything but stick to what we've been doing and depend on executing it better.

deck chairs...titanic....

Bcat2
General User

Member Since: 7/6/2010
Post Count: 4,295

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/6/2014 7:08:21 AM

Paul Graham wrote:

ytownbobcat wrote:

Agreed ytown! Jovon, Blair and Poling are a good group. But, they are really 3 OLB's...a true middle linebacker would be nice.

His name is Ben Russell, number is 36, prey for his recovery. We do miss him.

Last Edited: 10/6/2014 7:21:49 AM by Bcat2

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." JFK

PVRAY
General User

Member Since: 10/6/2014
Post Count: 24

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/6/2014 10:02:37 AM

Having followed the Bobcats since 1965 I agree. Over the years why can
a Marshall, Toledo, Central Michigan, Northern Illinois, etc. achieve
the greatness that has eluded Ohio? Time for heads to roll again!

OhioCatFan
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 14,743

Status: Offline

RE: Program has taken a step backward

Posted: 10/6/2014 10:58:38 AM

Sometimes it's darkest just before the dawn. Hang in there guys and gals. The sky is not falling. Our best days are visible on the horizon.

Showing Replies:	1 - 25 of 27 Posts
Jump to Page:	1 \| 2 Next >

View Other 'Ohio Football' Topics

There are 175 Active Visitors on BobcatAttack.com

173 Guests
2 Registered Users:
	shabamon, RufusCat09

There are no other users looking at this page.