Guest columnist: Bobcats can play with any team in country

Coming into tomorrow’s game against Central Michigan, Ohio needs a win more than Chad Ocho Cinco needs attention.

The Bobcats are playing perhaps their toughest schedule since coach Frank Solich was hired in 2005, and they’ve performed well despite being winless in two tries.

Ohio showed it can play with anyone in the country when it went into Columbus and lost 26-14 to the then-No.3 ranked Buckeyes.

They also lost a heartbreaker at Wyoming 21-20.

The Bobcats actually led going into the fourth quarter against Ohio State and for more than 22 minutes in the game. If it weren’t for a muffed punt and an eye-popping five-to-one turnover ratio, Ohio might have come away with the biggest upset since Buster Douglas sent Las Vegas into a frenzy by beating Mike Tyson.

Defense was the key to the game, and like many Solich coached teams in the past, it will be the difference in Ohio’s season.

The Bobcats have the No.1-ranked defense in the Mid-American Conference coming into this weekend.

Ohio State mustered just 272 yards against the Bobcats and a decent Wyoming team was only able to squeak out 111 yards of total offense.

This defense looks more like the unit that carried the Bobcats to the 2006 MAC championship game, which I’m sure you’ll remember was a 31-10 laugher for the Chippewas.

They’ve done it with a defensive back unit that is deep and fast, in fact, Solich said in his weekly news conference this week that this defense is faster than any he’s had in his tenure at Ohio.

However, I doubt the Bobcats have seen an offense like the Chippewas. They certainly haven’t seen it in practice.

Ohio’s offense is about as bad as Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez’s ethics.

The Bobcats rank 10th in the conference in total offense and that was with starter Theo Scott, who is most likely out for the season after breaking his collarbone against the Buckeyes.

But don’t sleep on Quarterback Boo Jackson. Coming into this season, he was known for his passing ability, but he opened some eyes by making plays with his feet against Ohio State.

He has shown throughout spring and fall camp that he can be just as good as Scott, but can he handle the pressure?

Peden Stadium is a little different than Ohio Stadium, but Jackson was just 9-of-25 passing for 84 yards and three interceptions after coming in for Scott.

But expect that to change this weekend as the Chippewa defense has shown a matador-like approach to defense – they rank 11th in the MAC in total defense.

Sure, Georgia’s offense is good, but 552 yards and seven touchdowns, good? I think not.

If the Bobcat’s strength can somehow find a way to contain Central Michigan’s offense (a.k.a. Dan LeFevour), expect a close game.

But it will be tough for the Bobcats to come away with a win after such a devastating loss last week, especially against a team that is of the caliber of Central Michigan.

Matt O’Donnell is the sports editor of The Post, Ohio’s student newspaper. E-mail him at Mo134405@ohiou.edu