09: Ohio Bobcats-Connecticut Huskies

Written by Mark | 02 September 2009

College Football 9/5/09

Connecticut Huskies (Big East)-Ohio Bobcats (MAC)

By Mark • Saturday, September 5th, 2009 7 PM EST

Ohio (0-0) vs. Connecticut (0-0)
Line-Connecticut-3

If the experts are correct Connecticut and Ohio will have a reversal in fortunes. Many believe Ohio is poised to make a run at the East Division of the MAC while Connecticut is predicted to have a down year.

If the Bobcats are to be a MAC contender they need have wholesale improvements on both sides of the ball. Ohio had decent success moving the ball especially through the air accumulating over 360 total yards on average of which 233 came in the passing game.

Ohio owned the #45 air attack in the country but were only #77 in scoring at 24 ppg. While this isn't completely awful, it's apparent it wasn't quite enough given their 4-8 record.

Look no further than a defense that allowed 27 points per game. Ohio had little trouble containing opponents passing attack, but were lacking in run defense. The Bobcats gave up almost 160 yards on the ground which happened to be a Connecticut strength in 2008.

The Huskies did one thing well offensively and that was run the football. You could say UConn imposed their will on defenses, as opponents knew what was coming and still couldn't stop them. RB Donald Brown will be plying his wares in Indianapolis on Sundays so Connecticut has some big shoes to replace.

The Huskies didn't light up the scoreboard at 25 ppg, but that's not surprising considering their clock eating ground assault. Their defense was one of the top units in the country in 2008 and generally made those points stand up.

The Huskies ‘D' was really what made the offensive philosophy a success. By allowing just 19 points per game, the offense didn't have to put the ball in the air. On the flip side, the quality rushing game kept the defense sitting on the sideline keeping them fresh.

UConn was not a great cover team posting a 6-6 ATS mark for the year and 3-3 ATS on the road while Ohio was 6-4-1 ATS but poor at home going just 1-3 ATS. The Huskies return 6 players on each unit and the Bobcats have 7 back on each side of the ball. Connecticut is 5-2 in their last 7 against the MAC and Ohio is 6-0 in their last 6 non conference games. The question is simple; has UConn's level of play taken a hit because of their losses in personnel and has Ohio improved or both. Tune in Saturday about 9:30 for the answer.