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: RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Topic: RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Author

Message

Bcat2
General User

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

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 11/30/2016 12:05:49 PM

A game I was able to see included for Ohio, 37 points and two rushers over 100 yards, Windham and Brown. Seems that has been what Albin has been attempting to replicate in recent games. IMHO, we will need to see that to have a chance. Reminder, Toledo was able to run well on Western, yet still was not able to keep it close.

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

.
General User

Member Since: 2/3/2005
Post Count: 2,949

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 11/30/2016 12:30:29 PM

Bcat2 wrote:

Toledo was able to run well on Western, yet still was not able to keep it close.

That's the scary part of this game to me. Ohio could play its A-plus game and still lose. (I'm not sure that's been the case with a MAC team since those Marshall teams of the 1990s. Maybe NIU a year or two there. Most teams if you play our absolute best game, you're going to win against in the MAC.)

Ohio has to play an A-game and still get a couple breaks. It definitely can happen, but the margin for error is so freaking small.

Last Edited: 11/30/2016 2:10:53 PM by .

SBH
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 3,754

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 11/30/2016 12:40:27 PM

Maybe Western players will be distracted/disheartened by Fleck rumors. I'm starting another one: Fleck to Oregon.

L.C.
General User

Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,067

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 11/30/2016 12:46:32 PM

With any luck, Windham will be ready to go again, and Brown and Irons will be closer to 100%. Ohio's offense is going to have to be running well for a win. Against Toledo Windham provided a spark, and most likely they will need that against WMU, and obviously the ground game is going to need to produce.

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

bshot44
General User

Member Since: 2/12/2012
Post Count: 2,211

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 11/30/2016 12:57:38 PM

L.C. wrote:

Mark Schlabach wrote:

... The Bobcats would also greatly enhance their chances of playing in the Dollar General Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, with an upset win....

...and Ohio would want to enhance their chances of playing in the Dollar General Bowl because???

Totally agree. I prefer Miami Beach Bowl. Better location, easier/cheaper travel. Non-Sun Belt opponent too

Ted Thompson
Administrator

Member Since: 11/11/2004
Location: MAC Play
Post Count: 7,399

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 11/30/2016 1:18:09 PM

L.C. wrote:

I think you're exactly right LC. This game would have to play out like the Toledo game did. But Ohio needs a much cleaner first half. Maxwell struggled with ball-handling and accuracy in the first half. The Ohio defense held Toledo scoreless in the first quarter. On Ohio's second possession, they started on the Toledo 27 and punted. On their third possession, the offense got to the Toledo 17 but ended at the Toledo 48 after snapping/fumbling issues. In the second quarter, a Chad Moore interception gave them the ball on the Toledo 49 and Ohio ended up punting. Those have to be points in this game and I don't think the coaches can wait too long before making a QB change.

Ohio's offense is not capable of sustained drives. So Ohio needs big plays. Ohio's touchdowns in that game

57 yards from Maxwell to Belack
Sebastain Smith 33 yards from Windham
Papi White 25 yards from Maxwell
Dorian Brown 51-yard run

Follow Ohio Football recruiting on the BobcatAttack.com football recruiting database.

L.C.
General User

Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,067

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 11/30/2016 3:04:29 PM

As I think about this meeting, I end up thinking about the last time these two teams met. Obviously the second half was a disaster, after Poling went out with injury, but what of the first half? The teams essentially went toe to toe for a half. At the intermission, Ohio had run 40 plays for 157 yards, while WMU had run 31 plays for 115 yards. WMU led 14-7 after getting TDs on two short-field opportunities. The first was when Ohio gambled and went for it on fourth and 1, and then WMU drove 51 yards in 7 plays for a TD. The second was immediately after that, after a long punt return, and WMU went 32 yards in only 2 plays. In my opinion, Ohio would have led if not for gambling on 4th down, and a special teams mistake.

What did the offense do in that half? Vick had a decent first half passing, but not astonishing, and the run game was non-existent. Ohio had 25 yards rushing on 16 tries, and Vick was 16-24 passing for 132 yards. Only one of those passes were for over 13 yards, though, and his average per attempt was only 5.5 yards. The one long pass was a 35 yard TD to Sebastian Smith.

If Ohio can make the game into that kind of trench war, I think they have a shot. There is one aspect of the game where Ohio has excelled this year, and they have been as good at it as any football team I've ever seen, and that aspect is the field position game. Ohio needs to use that strength, and not be lured into going for it on 4th and 1 at midfield like they tried last year.

My keys to the game:
1. Defense makes WMU one-dimensional, and stuffs WMU's runs for 60 minutes
2. Offense plays solidly, moves the ball when they can, avoids doing anything stupid, and gets points where they can
3. Play another masterful field position game
4. Break a few big plays on offense
5. Play 60 minutes, with no let up anywhere

Ohio doesn't need to be error free, but they need to play their best game of the year. Ohio has to play well on defense, without a doubt. They have to hold WMU down to well below their season average, certainly under 30 points. The offense has to move the ball, but most of all, they can't make mistakes gambling. Taking ill-advised chances will lead to 30 point loss in a hurry.

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

bobcat695
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Parkersburg, WV
Post Count: 1,345

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 11/30/2016 9:17:56 PM

Ohio lost that game 49-14 and had an experienced Senior playing QB. The Browns have had several good 1st halves this year. One coach made adjustments and motivated his team to win in a blowout on the road. The other coach watched it happen. I haven't seen anything since that day to make me believe the result Friday won't be the same.

"You can't un-fist a fist pump." - Saul Phillips 1/24/15

L.C.
General User

Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,067

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 11/30/2016 10:02:38 PM

bobcat695 wrote:

... I haven't seen anything since that day to make me believe the result Friday won't be the same.

My post was not a prediction. It was merely my thoughts on what it would take to win. Can they do it? We'll find out soon enough.

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

GoCats105
General User

Member Since: 1/31/2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Post Count: 6,920

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 12/1/2016 8:39:25 AM

College Football News prediction:

http://collegefootballnews.com/2016/western-michigan-vs-o...

Couldn't have said it better myself about the turnover factor. If the Bobcats can hold onto the ball, the defensive line should be able to help keep this close.

Haven't seen anyone not affiliated with BobcatAttack pick the Bobcats yet. I've seen it in college football thousands of times. If it looks like it's 100% leaning one way, so so often does it swing back to the other one in a big time upset.

Mark Lembright '85
General User

Member Since: 8/22/2010
Location: Highland Heights, OH
Post Count: 2,447

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 12/1/2016 9:17:10 AM

And unfortunately I'm not going to be the first win to predict an Ohio win. For me, I think Ohio's biggest liability going into this game is the lack of experience at the QB spot. Maxwell is a redshirt freshman. Granted, he's gaining very valuable experience but in the championship games its the more experienced QBs that more often than not come out on top. If Maxwell can guide Ohio's offense sufficiently enough to enable Ohio to win over a ranked top 25 team, then Ohio might just have something on its hands. But I don't think that happens tomorrow.

WMU 42, Ohio 20. Now that I think about it, when was the last time Ohio beat a team ranked in the Top 20?

Last Edited: 12/1/2016 9:18:21 AM by Mark Lembright '85

Ted Thompson
Administrator

Member Since: 11/11/2004
Location: MAC Play
Post Count: 7,399

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 12/1/2016 9:38:28 AM

According to Hustlebelt.com: MAC anticipates record crowd for Championship Game

Follow Ohio Football recruiting on the BobcatAttack.com football recruiting database.

bshot44
General User

Member Since: 2/12/2012
Post Count: 2,211

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 12/1/2016 10:30:48 AM

Mark Lembright '85 wrote:

WMU 42, Ohio 20. Now that I think about it, when was the last time Ohio beat a team ranked in the Top 20?

never.

Ted Thompson
Administrator

Member Since: 11/11/2004
Location: MAC Play
Post Count: 7,399

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 12/1/2016 10:55:44 AM

Follow Ohio Football recruiting on the BobcatAttack.com football recruiting database.

Alan Swank
General User

Member Since: 12/11/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,023

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 12/1/2016 11:03:49 AM

Ted Thompson wrote:

According to Hustlebelt.com: http://www.hustlebelt.com/2016/11/30/13792202/mac-anticip...

Lot's of national interest in this game with an undefeated team seeking to go 13 and 0 and bust into the "big boys" party. That camp will clearly be rooting for Western. And of course, OU always brings a pretty good crowd to the game and the TV screen.

The Optimist
General User

Member Since: 3/16/2007
Location: CLE
Post Count: 5,552

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 12/1/2016 11:18:13 AM

I expect a monster WMU crowd and Ohio travels well to big events. It's been long enough from our last appearance that I don't think too many will opt to skip without a pretty good reason. Should be electric atmosphere.

Last Edited: 12/1/2016 11:18:37 AM by The Optimist

I've seen crazier things happen.

Pataskala
General User

Member Since: 7/8/2010
Location: At least six feet away from anybody else
Post Count: 9,152

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 12/1/2016 12:14:55 PM

The fact is, WMU has not beaten itself this year. No giveaways in the first seven games and only five for the entire season -- four fumbles and one INT. +18 TO margin. Terrell had one INT in 318 pass attempts. Ohio could play a perfect game and still lose. The best we can hope for is that the D plays a stellar game, the O doesn't give the game away, and we catch a break here or there.

We will get by.
We will get by.
We will get by.
We will survive.

GoCats105
General User

Member Since: 1/31/2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Post Count: 6,920

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 12/1/2016 12:33:02 PM

Pataskala wrote:

I believe they broke the record for fewest turnovers in a season. Not sure if the bowl game and champ game are going to be factored into that.

Deciduous Forest Cat
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Ohio
Post Count: 4,306

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 12/1/2016 12:58:41 PM

Does anyone know what type crowd we are expected to bring? Since most of our lame-ass alums are still aglow from the osu win last week, I wonder if even half of these sheeple even know we are in a title game.

I've been to one bowl and one MAC title game (NIU) at Ford field and we were embarrassingly outnumbered both times. It's going to be ugly crowd-wise.

The Optimist
General User

Member Since: 3/16/2007
Location: CLE
Post Count: 5,552

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 12/1/2016 1:02:58 PM

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

We're absolutely going to be outnumbered. With the game being in Michigan, playing a team from Michigan, that was always a sure thing.

However, I think Ohio has a strong turnout. WMU currently is about as high-profile of an opponent as you can get in the MACC and I think that helps build interest on our side. Plus, we haven't played in the MACC in a couple years. Seems to be a good amount of buzz on social media about the game/trip from OUr side.

I've seen crazier things happen.

Bobcat110
General User

Member Since: 3/5/2005
Location: Mount Gilead, OH
Post Count: 698

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 12/1/2016 1:22:19 PM

The Optimist wrote:

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

Estimating based on Ohio filling about 5 reserved lower level sections and the rest being WMU fans, Im guessing the numbers will be around 5,000 Ohio fans to 32,000+ WMU fans. Personally, I think that will be a great football atmosphere even though we're the overwhelming minority.

I'm just basing on numbers on reports that WMU sold out their allocation, sold out the end zone General admissions and then bought the corner reserve seats (end zone to 20 yard line)on Ohio sideline and that the upper 300 seats are now being sold (which hasn't happened before for the MACC at Ford Field) Ohio fans will be just mostly delegated to sections between 20 yard lines on South side, everywhere else is WMU fans. Hopefully they don't have too much fun

Ohio69
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 2,992

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 12/1/2016 1:59:26 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDcl75xZSaQ

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

Valley Cat
General User

Member Since: 12/28/2004
Location: Jackson Twp., OH
Post Count: 1,090

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 12/1/2016 3:15:07 PM

Ted Thompson wrote:

According to Hustlebelt.com: http://www.hustlebelt.com/2016/11/30/13792202/mac-anticip...

I love the fact that Hustlebelt didn't list Basham in their pre-season top 25 players in the conference.

davepi2
General User

Member Since: 7/8/2010
Location: columbus, OH
Post Count: 581

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan (NT)

Posted: 12/1/2016 3:30:29 PM

Last Edited: 12/1/2016 3:30:47 PM by davepi2

Ted Thompson
Administrator

Member Since: 11/11/2004
Location: MAC Play
Post Count: 7,399

Status: Offline

RE: Official MAC Championship Game Thread: Western Michigan

Posted: 12/1/2016 5:08:58 PM

Current Cheapest available tickets on Stubhub for CCGs, SEC starts at $89, ACC from $9. pic.twitter.com/wmJyLfCfGg
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 1, 2016

Follow Ohio Football recruiting on the BobcatAttack.com football recruiting database.

Showing Replies:	51 - 75 of 247 Posts
Jump to Page:	< Previous 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 \| 6 \| 7 \| 8 \| 9 \| 10 Next >

View Other 'Ohio Football' Topics

There are 99 Active Visitors on BobcatAttack.com

99 Guests
0 Registered Users

There are no other users looking at this page.