Two MAC title contenders look to bounce back from disappointing losses.
The squads in this match-up did not get a lot of run as title hopefuls in the MAC preseason poills, with Ohio predicted to finish fifth and Buffalo predicted 10th. However, after three weeks of conference play, it is indeed the Ohio Bobcats (4-3, 2-1 MAC) and Buffalo Bulls (4-3, 2-1 MAC) who are squarely in the hunt as part of a six-team logjam behind the MAC’s only undefeated squad in Western Michigan.
Both teams have shown flashes or stretches of what it takes to make it to the top and will be working over the final five games to gain that championship level consistency it takes to be the MAC’s best. We’ll take a look at both squads starting with the road team Buffalo Bulls.
Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday October 26, 2024 at noon ET
- Location: Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio
- TV options: The game will air on CBS Sports Network. A valid cable subscription is required for viewing. Dave Ryan (play-by-play) and Adam Breneman (color) will provide the call.
- Streaming options: The game will be available for streaming via the Paramount+ App. A valid subscription is required for viewing. Other applicable cable/satellite streaming options are also available with a valid subscription.
- Radio options: Paul Peck (play-by-play) and Scott Wilson (color) will provide the Buffalo call for Buffalo 1520 while Marty Bannister [debut season] (play-by-play) and Rob Cornelius (color) will provide the Ohio call for WXTQ-FM 105.5.
- Gambling considerations: Per DraftKings, Ohio is six-point favorites with an over/under of 44.5
- All-time series: Ohio leads, 17-12. The home team has won 10 out of the last 12.
- Last Time: November 7, 2023, Ohio won 20-10.
- Special Events: It will be Frank Solich Day in Athens, celebrating his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. It will also be Senior Day, as the last Saturday game of the season.
About the Buffalo Bulls
Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
After impressive wins against perennial MAC contenders Toledo and NIU, the Bulls dropped a track meet last week to Western Michigan 48-41 to fall to 2-1 in conference. The game was filled with first-half ball handling troubles for the Blue and White, while the second half was filled with explosive plays. Ultimately, Buffalo clawed its way back from a 28-10 deficit but ran out of time as the Broncos ended the game by converting a first down by literally an inch to run out the clock.
The good news for the Bulls is that they can play better. Execution has been, and will continue to be a key point for Buffalo to maintain success. A few bounces here and there, and this could well be a different team.
Like Ohio, the Bulls want to run and stop the run and bring a lot to the table to do just that.
Operating a version of the base 4-2-5 defense, the Bulls have had mostly success in the early conference season holding Toledo and NIU to a total of 35 points, while surrendering 27 points on average having played what could be the league’s best offense by season’s end in WMU.
In league play, Buffalo is sixth in the MAC, surrendering 140 yards rushing per contest while tenth in passing yards per game allowed at 282 on average.
Buffalo’s defense features a dynamic duo of linebackers in Shaun Dolac and Red Murdock. Dolac is an All-American candidate, leading the nation in tackles with 98 while adding 11.5 tackles-for-loss, three sacks, two interceptions, and two passes defensed. Murdock is a tackling machine in his own right, coming into the contest with 82 stops which is third nationally.
Samford transfer defensive end Kobe Stewart leads the club with five sacks.
Offensively, the Bulls are multiple and considering stats in the first three weeks of MAC play, are ranked fourth in the conference with 183 yards rushing per contest, ninth in passing with 181 yards, and third in scoring with just over 31 points per game.
The lead role is manned by dual-threat quarterback C.J. Ogbonna, who has 1,060 yards passing on the season while adding 105 yards on the ground. In trying to erase the 18-point deficit last week, the Bulls quarterback set personal bests in passing attempts (34) and passing yards (309). Ogbonna’s calling card so far this year is an excellent touchdown to interception ratio of 7:1.
What the Bulls might do in the running game is anyone’s guess after they ran a wishbone/triple-option attack a few weeks ago but they have a lot of explosive players to run their scheme whatever they do.
Last week, the Bulls rolled WMU for 262 yards and three scores behind backs Al-Jay Henderson and Messiah Burch, who both turned in some big plays including Henderson’s 68-yard scamper to paydirt. Henderson is the leading rusher on the year with 374 yards and a 5.4 yards per carry average.
In the passing game, 170-pound wideout Victor Snow looked pound-for-pound like one of the league’s best players last week, turning in a complete performance. Not only did Snow finish for 104 yards rushing and receiving and two touchdowns but was noticeable at times in his run blocking where, for instance, his sustained block on an outside run helped spring Burch for a 31-yard gain.
If “the past is prologue,’” look for the Bulls to get Snow the ball in any way possible, especially in the red zone.
About the Ohio Bobcats
Photo by Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Bobcats have overcome a good deal of adversity to arrive as a contender in week four of conference play given the retooled roster, injuries, and a minus nine turnover margin.
Ohio arrives in this one at 2-1 in conference play after dispatching Akron 30-10 and winning a tough game on the road over Central Michigan 27-25 before losing to rival Miami last week 30-20 with the RedHawks’ experienced defense spearheading the win in an impressive performance.
Ohio’s most consistent unit is the defense. In three league games so far, the Bobcats are first in the MAC in rushing yards allowed at only 97.7 yards per game including holding Akron to negative rushing yards. The ‘Cats are third in passing yards allowed at 163 per game and fifth in points allowed at 21.3 per game.
The ‘Cats are truly a team defense with a lot of players contributing to their success. The defensive line is deep and talented and have players like Nevada transfer JACK linebacker Marcel Walker-Burgess, who has made his presence felt with 33 tackles, eight quarterback hits, two sacks and forced fumbles, an interception, and a safety.
Linebacker Blake Leake leads the team in tackles with 47.
Also returning to the lineup last week for the first time since Week 1 was all-MAC-caliber safety Adonis Williams Jr., which should give the Bobbies a timely boost, especially with steady safety Austin Brawley likely out for the week.
As we mentioned in last week’s Miami vs. Ohio recap, veteran cornerback Roman Parodie played some of his best football in both the passing and rushing game so look for him to build upon that success against Buffalo.
Offensively, Ohio likes to establish the run and work off of that and are second in the MAC after three games with 208 yards rushing per game and seventh in scoring with just under 27 points per game.
Leading the charge in the ground game is dual-threat quarterback Parker Navarro, who can create his legs. With the MAC’s leading rusher Anthony “Trip” Tyus III sidelined with an injury this week, Navarro comes into the contest as the Bobcats leading rusher with 434 yards on the year.
Navarro has a knack for making defenses wrong even when they look to be right through his athleticism and improvisation, creating yards by buying extra time in the passing game or scrambling to daylight to move the chains.
Look for Ohio to try to pick up additional production from runners Ricky Hunt Jr. and Nolan McCormick this week. Hunt Jr. contributed 179 yards rushing this year while dependable veteran back McCormick scored his first touchdown of the season last week and has a combined 115 career touches running and pass receiving for just under 500 yards.
When they go to the air, Navarro leads the club with 986 yards passing and has a 5:6 touchdown to interception ratio. The ‘Cats wideout Coleman Owen is tops in receptions and yards so far with 38 for 526 yards respectfully.
With teams increasingly focused on Owen, younger wideouts Chase Hendricks and Rodney Harris II may have even more opportunities to shine. Harris II had a career day statistically last week with seven catches for 82 yards.
Rounding out the passing game highlights so far, tight end Mason Williams has caught some timely passes this year, coming in with ten catches.