Concerns about losing several key offensive playmakers have been realized as Ohio has struggled to put points on the board thus far in 2014. Though the 'Cats started 2-0 at home (a 36-24 win over Idaho and a 34-19 victory against Eastern Illinois), the offense has sputtered since.
What We Know
Losing Seniors Has Hurt This Team Deeply
Tett. Foster. Blankenship. Boykin. Waters. Losing eight offensive starters is a tall task to address and Ohio by all means looks like a squad that has a bunch of noobs with the ball. Though having named Derrius Vick his starting quarterback as the team prepared for week one against Kent State, Solich noted that Vick would split snaps with JD Sprague. A huge cut of the production from a year ago is gone and Ohio has really struggled to find ways to replace it. The team is averaging 17.7 points a game. It is more the offensive losses that have hurt Ohio more so than defensive, but there is no doubting that this team is just not as talented and skilled right now than they were a year ago at this time (when they were 4-2). Superb athletes like Chase Cochran on the other hand, have not figured into the offense as much as the 'Cats would have liked. The senior has only receptions this season (though he is tied for second on the team with 242 yards).
Young Bobcat skill players have showcased flashes of brilliance that gives fans hope for the future
Even as the offense has squandered chance after chance to put points on the board (just this past week, the Ohio offense ran 100 plays, moved the ball for 513 yards and only managed to score 13 points), there has still been flashes of brilliance from young Ohio players that gives fans hope for the future. It's just not apparent whether that talent will win any games on the remainder of the team's conference schedule. A.J. Ouellette has shown flashes of brilliance while winning the hearts of MAC lovers for his hard-nosed style running the football. He leads the team with 345 yards on the ground. Sebastian Smith has paced the squad in receptions with 21 and tied for second in yards through the air with 242. Others, like Jordan Reid, Brendan Cope, and Troy Mangen have factored in largely to the passing game.
What We Didn't Know
The secondary was going to perform as poorly as it has.
The secondary for Ohio was supposed to be a strength. With guys like our No. 12 ranked player in the conference from the preseason, Devin Bass, Nathan Carpenter, Josh Kristoff, Thad Ingol, and Ian Wells all back, they were supposed to erect a no-fly-zone worthy of great respect. So much for that. Carpenter has been hurt, Bass has performed below expectations and has even been targeted on deep balls. These guys have the ability to perform, but thus far, opposing offenses have scored 14 passing TDs and have assaulted the Bobcats through the air for 288.1.
That the injuries would continue and break the hearts of Bobcat fans
Landon Smith, Ben Russell, A.J. Ouellette, Derrius Vick, Josh Kristoff, Blair Brown. Just a few Bobcats who have sustained injuries and have missed game action. Unfortunately for Ohio, the 'Cats have struggled mightily with injuries the last three years now, and even changing practice habits has not seemed to help in this respect. Good thing Quentin Poling has stepped up in place of Ben Russell.
That the defensive line would be underwhelming
With guys like Tarell Basham underperforming (two sacks) and Antwan Crutcher, Brandon Purdum, Kendrick Smith and crew have not caused near enough disruption. The Ohio beat was full of stories of the impressive showing from the D-Line after the week one defensive destruction that was the Kent State O-Line as Ohio controlled the line of scrimmage.
What We Don't Know Yet
Whether JD Sprague or Derrius Vick will show up and be a legitimate quarterback
Though Derrius Vick performed respectably in his short stint at starting quarterback before getting injured against Idaho, questions about the effectiveness of the quarterback position remain for this team. His 147.3 passer rating is quite efficient, but impressive is not the word that I would use to describe the offense while he was healthy. JD Sprague meanwhile, has struggled with his touch on longer passes, and while the RS sophomore QB is quite agile, his passing has lacked (he sports a 99.2 passer rating with just one TD through the air.
Whether this team is capable of sustaining touchdown drives against non-terrible defenses
Whether you blame JD Sprague, O-Coordinator Tim Albin, Head Coach Frank Solich or whomever, it is apparent that this team has yet to find ways to consistently reach pay dirt. With the exceptions of Idaho and EIU, Ohio has averaged 10.8 in its other five games. Josiah Yazdani has surprisingly missed four of his 14 FG attempts, but he cannot be expected to be the main tool in this offense anyway. Credit it to play-calling once Ohio crosses the 50, or just an inability to sustain drives, either way, Ohio has to change something if it wants to see encouraging results on the offensive side of the ball.