(12-09-2016 09:27 PM)TroyFootball05 Wrote: Just curious. In what ways are you different from the 2010 squad?
I think this is a better overall team, but it is still full of glaring weaknesses. The first game of the year (the infamous Texas State loss) and the last game of the year (going toe to toe with a highly motivated and ranked team) are both indications of how this team can play.
At its best on offense, Ohio controls the clock with 4-6 yard runs and unleashes a few explosive plays from Papi White and a capable receiving corp. At its worst on offense, it runs twice for a yard or two and throws an incompletion. And sometimes when it runs, the fumble-prone running backs cough up the ball - the sure-handed starting back was lost for the season early in the Texas State game. No matter what, the best you'll get from quarterback play is pretty average. Maxwell is young and has shown flashes of brilliance, but you'll likely see senior Greg Windham, who ran very well before an injury and is an OK (never great) passer.
At its best on defense, Ohio's outstanding front four and excellent linebacking corps take away the running game and tee off on the quarterback. At its worst on defense, the extremely young and largely second and third string secondary is repeatedly exposed, freeing up the running game and basically making Ohio the opposing offense's ***** for 60 minutes.
I don't know which team you'll see. It could be the Keystone Kops that lost at home to Texas State. It could be a near-elite G5 team that beat Toledo on the road and almost ruined the Cotton Bowl dreams of Western Michigan. One thing that has impressed me with this team is resilience. In the past five years, late season dropoffs have seen the team essentially quit during games and really during entire months. This team has battled every game.