25 Questions about Camp Ohio

What is their body of work?

It's old mascot day

OU has 8 straight non-losing seasons, during which time they won 10 games only once.  This success is probably the best period in the history of their football program.  Prior to the arrival of Solich, they had only 8 non-losing seasons in the previous 30 years.  From 1985-95, they won only 19 games for example.  This year they are 4-2, with wins over Hampton, Kansas, UMass and EMU, and losses to Purdue and CMU, the last one coming in Athens, which can't be going down well.

How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?

They have 25 which is a pretty normal number.

Who are their statistical leaders?

Bradd Ellis is #3 in passes defended in the nation.
Nathan Rourke is #4 in rushing TDs and #17 in scoring.
AJ Oulette is #20 in rushing yards.

What is their turnover ratio?

They are -3, which is tough for a 4-2 team.

Offense:

How is their QB play?

OMG

The OU style is to have dual-threat QBs.  That's what Solich has done since Nebraska.  They have one who is a little truer DUAL than usual this year.  His name is Nathan Rourke, who is from Oakville, ON and played last year in JUCO before transferring.  He's #4 in the MAC in passing efficiency and also averages 4.9 yards per rush INCLUDING his sacks with 9 TDs.

What is their scoring and yards per play?

This is an unusually potent offense.  They are #2 in the MAC in scoring and #3 in yards per play.  No nice way to put this, BG is going to have to play better defense than they have been playing (or keep

getting red zone turnovers) to stay in this game.

Can they run the ball?

This is always their calling card.  They are tied for first with a team average of 4.9 yards per carry.  AJ Ouelette is the #1 rusher in the MAC at 6.3 yards per carry.

Do they pass the ball?

This is the part that seems much stronger.  They are #4 in pass efficiency.  61% completions at 12.5 yards per catch and 9 TD over 3 INT.  That's very effective.

How was their run/pass balance?

No surprise here, they have run on 61% of their plays.

Do they convert on 3rd Down?

They lead the MAC at 51%.

Do they score in the red zone?

Luvvvvv

They are deadly.  They score 6 points per trip, with 25 TDs and 4 FG in 31 trips.

Do they protect the quarterback?

They are OK...sacks on 6% of their passing plays.

Defense:

Topline: Scoring and yards per play.

Normally they are a very strong defensive team, but that's a little down this year.  They are #6 in scoring defense and 3rd in yards per play allowed.

Do they defend the run effectively?

Yes.  They are only allowing 3.3 yards per carry, which is 2nd in the MAC and that's a warning sign for the Falcons.

Can they be passed on?

They are not great here.  They are #8 in pass efficiency defense.  They allow 59% completions on 11.9 yards per completion and 14 TD on 4 INT.

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?

#maction

They are very good, #2 in the MAC.

Do they defend in the red zone?

Not very good, they give up 5.3 points per trip.

Did they pressure the QB?

They are decent, 6% of overall sack attempts.

Special Teams:

Punting?

They are pretty good.  #4 in the MAC in net punting.  No blocks and no TDs allowed.

Punt Return?

They are 4th in the MAC in punt returns.  No TDs.

Placekicking?

This is Louie Zervos, in his 17th year of kicking in the MAC.  He is 8 of 10 and 4 of 6 over 40 with a 46 long.  Has been blocked once.

Kickoff?

5th in the MAC.  Teams start on the 25.  They have 11 touchbacks.

Kickoff Return?

Not good...they start on their 22.

Miscellaneous: Overall atmospherics and intangibles.

This is from a dream I had the night
I ate the worm in the tequila.

This is not going to be an easy one for BG.  On the other hand, CMU beat them and I don't think they're the best team in the MAC so it can obviously be done.  BG will need to continue to develop on the offensive side of the ball....probably with more passing than against Miami...and then improve on defense, especially against the run.  The dynamic we saw in Oxford with all the yards against will not work Saturday in the Doyt.  On the other hand, you have a young team at home coming off a win.  Maybe they can pull a bigger surprise.  OU is a 9.5 point favorite, but this one would be every bit as surprising and as rewarding as last week's.