Once the overwhelming underdog before the facing No. 15 Tennessee, Ohio is now the overwhelming favorite headed into a matchup with unranked FCS squad Gardner-Webb.
With an upset unlikely, Ohio will need to use this weekend as a tune-up before Mid-American Conference play begins Oct. 1.
Gardner-Webb will come to Athens on Saturday in what might be the only game this season Ohio ends with a blowout win.
Defensive breakdown
The Runnin' Bulldogs (1-2) will bring a scheme the Bobcats have seen before: the 3-4 defense that Texas State ran in week one.
Travis Cunningham, the new defensive coordinator for Gardner-Webb, brings the same scheme that former coordinator Randall McCray used. Ohio has seen this defense before, as McCray is currently the defensive coordinator at Texas State.
Ohio put up 54 points in regulation and three overtime periods the only other time it has faced an odd-man front this season.
The Gardner-Webb defense will pose the typical 3-4 front, as seen by this YouTube video.
Although the game took place in 2015 –– none from 2016 were available –– the schemes remain the same for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
At the 1:08 mark, Elon lines up in the offset pistol. With a tight end to the left, the Gardner-Webb defense shifts slightly, but the formation remains the same.
The defensive linemen line up overtop of the left and right tackles and the center. The outside linebackers are holding the edge, and the inside linebackers line up in the traditional lineup.
A defensive line stunt creates a hole for the right defensive end to break through the line, forcing the quarterback to step up in the pocket.
The right outside linebacker is able to make the sack because of this.
Expect the Runnin' Bulldogs to run a lot of stunts on the defensive line to disrupt the Bobcats running style this Saturday.
Offensive Breakdown
Coach Frank Solich broke it down as simply as possible on Monday, mentioning the Gardner-Webb option style.
"They run a fair amount of option of offense and so we’re going to be seeing that and obviously you have to prepare for that," he said. "If you don't prepare for it, well, you don’t get it done."
The Runnin' Bulldogs operate out of a spread offense, like the other three offenses the Bobcats have seen so far. They'll use mostly read and triple option to run the ball.
Running back Khalil Lewis is ranked seventh currently in the FCS in rushing yards with 327.
At the 2:09 mark of the same YouTube video, there's a good look of the Gardner-Webb offense.
The Runnin' Bulldogs line up in the pistol, but with an I-Formation look. With a fullback and running back behind the quarterback, it creates a natural deception play.
The quarterback reads the defensive end, faking the fullback dive in a standard read option play.
Pulling the ball, he pitches out to the running back who now has an open lane to the outside –– the defensive end crashed –– and the running back is able to pick up a quick six yards.
Plays like this are what the Bobcats need to guard against, plays that require assignment football.
Judgement
The Bobcats should roll in this one.
They'll never have a talent advantage like they do this weekend, and simple assignment football should take care of the Gardner-Webb threat.
It would be a long-shot for the Runnin' Bulldogs to keep up with the Bobcats this weekend, the talent disparity is just too much.
Ohio, though dealing with some speed from Gardner-Webb, won't lose this one.
ag079513@ohio.edu
