I've just got a lot going on in my personal life, and on top of that, with lots of people taking December vacations, have been working about 80 hours a week. I haven't had any time to follow football or post. I haven't read any posts since mid-November, to be honest, and I have no idea what all has been going on here. I also haven't followed recruiting this year, Doc, so I can't comment on the class.
In retrospect, this team was about what I expected, and consistent with my long term forecast that, after the 2014-15 slump, teams were going to get better and better. Without a doubt, it was Solich's best team yet, and in the running for the MACC. Unfortunately, unlike the the last few years, this team fared poorly in turnover margin, and that single factor kept them out of the MACC game. The team ended up all too dependent on Rourke, and he didn't get the job done in the key games, especially in terms of ball control.
When Rourke didn't turn the ball over, Ohio was 6-0, usually winning easily. In games where Rourke had 2 or more turnovers, Ohio was 2-3. Worse, if he turned it over 2 or more times, and the opponent did not give it back at least twice, Ohio always lost. They were 0-3 against CMU, Akron, and Buffalo. All three games were close, and one less turnover in any game most likely would have changed the outcome.
That's all behind us, and I presume that Rourke will focus on reducing his turnovers for next year. I have confidence that 2018 and 2019 will continue this upswing in Ohio football, and I hope they win at least one MACC, and better, two, with these excellent teams.
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus