Sports
Ohio University Football prepares for an in-state battle against No.1 Ohio State
By: Andrew Bowlby
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – For the first time in program history, Ohio University Football (1-1) will face off with the AP No.1 team in the country on Saturday. The Bobcats challenge; their in-state rival and defending national champions Ohio State (2-0).
There is no denying the differences between the two programs. Ohio and Ohio State have vastly different rosters and resources, but Bobcats head coach Brian Smith still believes in his team, and they are ready to embrace the challenge.
“They’re talented everywhere, it’s a really good program,” Smith said. “Our kids are extremely competitive. They obviously know that this is a big challenge, and we’re playing a really strong program that has earned that right to be one of the top programs in the country. They’re excited for the challenge.”
The challenge becomes increasingly more difficult when looking at the way that Ohio State has performed against schools in Ohio and against the Mid-American Conference.
The Buckeyes are on a 53-game unbeaten streak against schools in Ohio. The last time OSU dropped a game to an Ohio opponent, it came in 1921 against Oberlin. The last loss to a current MAC member was even further back in 1894 when Akron beat Ohio State 12-6.
Ohio State also has two of the best players in all of college football in Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs. The former could become the fastest OSU wide receiver to reach 1,500 yards. All he needs is 23 yards over the next two games to surpass Michael Jenkins’ record mark. The latter has had 1,008 career snaps at OSU and is still to allow a touchdown against.
“Our defense has their hands full with that one,” Smith said. “It puts some pressure on them. I do believe that when you are the number one team in the country and with the money that is invested into top ten programs, there’s an expectation of not only winning but the manner in which you win.”
As Smith says, Ohio’s defense has its hands full trying to stop what is an explosive Buckeyes offense. He notes that regardless of how OSU plays, he wants his group to focus on their game and execute their game.
The defense showed promise last week holding West Virginia to only 10 points and 250 yards. The Bobcats saw both starting linebackers Michael Molnar and Jack Fries post solid stat lines. Plus, transfer defensive lineman Nehemiah Dukes have a breakout game with six tackles and one sack/TFL.
For a defense that created pressure last week, they will have to work even harder to repeat it against Ohio State. The Buckeyes offensive line is yet to give up a sack and have conceded just two TFL’s, both are tied for first in the country.
By many metrics this is a nearly impossible upset. The Bobcats sit at around a 30-point underdog, but things tend to happen in college football.
The game can be seen on Peacock beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday from Ohio Stadium.