What is their body of work?
OU is as good as they have ever been in football. From 1968 to 2005 when Frank Solich arrived, the Bobcats had 8 winning seasons and 8 zero or 1 win seasons. Since then, they have been consistently competitive and made 10 bowl games. It's a new day in Athens.
Of course, they won the East last year and they have five division titles since Solich arrived. Their last MAC Championship was 1968.
They are 3-1 this year. They lost their opener at San Diego State and since then beat Long Island, won @Florida Atlantic and they beat Iowa State in Athens.
They have beat BG 5 of the last 6, including last year when the game was for the MAC East and they trounced the Falcons with their backup QB, scoring 28 points in the second quarter to put the game away at halftime.
How experienced are they?
They have 28 juniors and above on the roster, as those COVID years clear out. BG has 37. Phil Steele ranks them the #4 most experienced team in the MAC.
Who are their pre-season all-conference players? (Phil Steele)
Here are players on the pre-season all-MAC tea
1st Team
QB Kurtis Rourke
RB Sieh Bangura (FR of year last year)
WR Sam Wieglusz
DE Vonnie Watkins
LE Keye Thompson
2nd Team
RB Jacoby Jones
LB Bryan Houston
KR Keegan Wilburn
3rd Team
OT James Amburgey
4th Team
OT Shedrick Rhodes
CB Torrie Cox
What is their turnover ratio?
They are -1.
Offense
How is their QB play?
Kurtis Rourke is the best QB MAC, and won the Offensive POY last year. He was injured for the BG game and the UT game and bowl game last year and then at the start of this year. He's played in 3 games this year. He's a dual-threat QB and a really good player.
You may recall CJ Harris, who played the BG game last year, along with the MAT title game and the bowl game and the opener this year, has left the team due to a "recent medical emergency." Happened this week.
What is their scoring and yards per play
They have not been an offensive juggernaut, scoring 16 PPG and 4.5 yards per play so far this year. That includes their FCS game, when they scored 27.
Can they run the ball?
They are a run focused offense, but averaging only 4.3 yards per carry this year. (sack adjusted). MAC average was 4.8 yards per carry last year. Their backs are averaging 3.6.
Do they pass the ball?
Rourke is not off to a great start. He has 59% completions, only 9.8 yards per completion and 2 TD over 2 INT. His efficiency is 111, with Orth and Bazelak in the 130s. They throw a lot of short passes, so sacks are low but you'd expect a better pass completion rate.
How is their run/pass balance?
They run on 55% of their plays, which is actually fairly low for them.
Do they convert on 3rd Down,
42% which is above average.
Do they score in Red zone
4.2 points per trip, which is not great. They have 3 whiffs and 4 FGS in 13 attempts.
Do they protect the QB????
They do. Sacks on 2.3% of attempts.
Defense:
Topline: Scoring and yards per play
Here the story turns. They are the best defensive team in the MAC and one of the best in the country. They are allowing 11.8 point per game (#14 in nation) and 4.46 yards per play (29th).
Do they defend the run effectively?
Yes, they do. They allow 2.5 yards per rush, #16 in the country.
Can they be passed on?
It's harder. They are #30 in the nation. They allow 62% completions, but only 9.5 per completion and 6 INT over 4 TD.
Do they get off the field on 3rd down?
They allow 28% which is #12 in the country. So yes.
Do they defend in the red zone?
Allowing 4.3 points per trip, which is really good.
Do they pressure the QB?
Sacks on 6% of passing attempts which is a little below MAC average.
Special Teams:
Punting?
Not good. To date, #112 in the nation. 5 of 15 punts inside the 20, which could bring the overall average down. No blocks and no returns.
Punt Return?
6 returns 16 yards. No TDs and no blocks.
Placekicking?
They have used two kickers. The current one is 5-7 but long of 40.
Kickoff?
Not good, opponents start on the 29.
Kickoff Return?
Started on 24
Intangible Miscellany
Well, here we go. This is a big game. A loss would mean BG needs to win out and OU lose twice for BG to beat OU in the East. A championship is a lot tougher without this game.
BG has struggled with OU and laid an egg last year in the first meaningful game in years. Also, BG is not looking healthy, although we will see who takes the field Saturday. The Bobcats play great defense. BG will need both dimensions to succeed and that looks to be really difficult. Tough to run against, and for all we know the #3 QB will be in the game. The defense will need the performance from the first half against McCarthy to keep the game close and then who knows.
It will be homecoming. Forecast looks awesome. OSU game safely at night. Hope for a little home field, and as I said on Monday, for BG to be bigger than the circumstances this time.
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