The Ohio football team is at the crossroads of its season this weekend. Through six games, the team is still at .500 with a win against Kentucky. This is an improvement from last season, but this team won't be satisfied with that.
The game last week against Marshall was a missed opportunity for Ohio to make a statement in the Mid-American Conference. Ohio has another chance to make a splash this weekend at Toledo. A victory in a game like this could propel the Bobcats to many more the rest of the season.
So here are keys to victory for Ohio in this critical match-up on Saturday.
Run the ball and score touchdowns in the red zone
These are two things in particular that the Ohio offense has not done well this season. Granted, Ohio does run a more open passing attack this year, but picking up real estate through the running game will help Ohio to control time of possession and keep the Toledo offense on the sidelines.
The Bobcats also need to finish their drives and not let them stall in the red zone. Against Marshall, Ohio only scored one touchdown during its four red zone attempts.
Ground Toledo's passing game
The defense has been stellar all season, and another challenge is awaiting this group on Saturday. Toledo's offense has put up big numbers this season.
It would be asking too much from the defense to expect a performance as strong as last week, when the Bobcats didn't allow an offensive touchdown. However, they do need to keep Toledo in check. Apply pressure to quarterback Bruce Gradkowski and throw him off his game. This match-up could be the game's best.
Be sound in the kicking game
Brooks Rossman's field goal attempts have been an adventure so far. Rossman is always dead on in practice but has only made three of eight when it counts, including a missed 32-yard attempt with 25 seconds left against Marshall.
Rossman needs a solid game under his belt to help him build confidence for the future. He has the talent; he just needs to convert on Saturdays. Chances are, Rossman will be called on again in a late-game situation, and it could be this week.
Find a way to win the close game
Remember, this is a team that lost many close games and many fourth-quarter leads last season. Ohio's three wins this season have been all but decided with five minutes to go, so they haven't prevailed late in a tight game this season. This is especially important with how the game ended last week after Ohio recovered a Marshall fumble on the 18-yard line. The Bobcats suffered a delay of game penalty and a sack in the final series before the missed field goal.
The Bobcats need to come through in a late game situation to help erase bad memories of close losses and to build confidence for future games.
-Wiseman is a junior communications studies major. Send him an e-mail at kevin.wiseman@ohiou.edu.
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Kevin Wiseman
