Despite playing many difficult opponents this season, Saturday's Homecoming game may be the most pivotal of the season.
Ohio (2-4, 1-2 Mid-American Conference) returns home to face Ball State (1-5, 1-2 MAC) as the Bobcats try to make it back to .500 in the MAC and climb the East Division standings.
It's definitely an important game
especially after losing last week linebacker Michael Graham said. We need to get another win in the MAC.
We haven't played well on the road yet quarterback Austen Everson said. We're ready to get back
and it's been awhile ... It's going to be good to play in front of some home fans and play in familiar surroundings.
Saturday's contest may prove even more difficult because of Ball State's misleading numbers.
I think it's misleading as far as their record is concerned
and I also think it's misleading as far as their overall statistics are concerned
coach Frank Solich said.
They've got to feel pretty good about things right now. They've got all their players back. They've faced some of the toughest competition in Division I football
and at times they've held up very well. We expect that we'll face a Ball State team that is confident and playing hard.
The Cardinals are finally settling down this season after playing through the most difficult stretch of the ninth-toughest schedule in the nation as well as overcoming player suspensions. Ball State's schedule and suspensions have not allowed other teams to scout the Cardinals well, but the Bobcats still feel they know what to expect.
It's tough to pick up on some of their tendencies as far as play calling
pass-run
things like that since they're playing from behind a lot of games
Graham said. But early on in the games when teams are pretty even and the score isn't out of hand
you can still pick up on their tendencies and what they want to do.
They vary their offense
