Ohio State Football: In depth analysis of Miami Ohio
As the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks fly into Columbus to face Ohio State on Saturday, here is how they match up against the Buckeyes.
The Redhawks (1-2) may be a bird, but their team has done anything but soar this season. In two games against FBS teams (Iowa and Cincinnati), Miami has been outscored 73-27, their offense failing to get off the ground in either game, which will prove to be a problem against Ohio State (3-0).
Their sole victory, home against Tennessee Tech, did show shades of a team that can execute on both sides of the ball. In the second quarter alone, the Redhawks scored 31 points and allowed none.
On offense, Miami will be led by true freshman QB Brett Gabbert, who is the younger brother of NFL QB Blaine Gabbert. The younger Gabbert has played well in his first three starts, throwing only one interception, regardless of his inexperience.
Gabbert’s offensive line has also played to a high level, allowing only six sacks total in the first three games. Led by two seniors on the right side, G Jarrett LaRubbio and T Matt Skibinski, the Redhawks have the experience necessary to compete the Buckeyes ferocious defensive line.
The Redhawks running game is quite versatile, with Tyre Shelton and Davion Johnson combining for half of the carries for Miami, with Gabbert and Maurice Thomas also being important parts of Miami’s running game, which has totaled 382 yards in three games.
Overall, Miami’s offense has been far from efficient, save for one quarter against an FCS opponent. In the other 11 quarters, the Redhawks have scored 44 points and struggled to establish much of a flow on offense. For a Buckeyes defense that has allowed only 31 points in their first three games, the Redhawks will be in for a tough test offensively on Saturday.
On defense, Miami has been equally stale and flightless as their offense. 90 points and 1167 total yards should have Justin Fields and J.K. Dobbins licking their chops, as the Buckeyes have scored 138 points and racked up almost 1500 total yards.
The few bright spots for a defense that has given up a steady flow of points are Defensive backs Sterling Weatherford and Bart Baratti, who together have totaled 37 tackles and an INT each.
On the defensive line, Kameron Butler has led a struggling unit, accounting for two of the Redhawks six sacks and four of 22 TFLs, which is the only impressive stat for the Redhawks defense. Compared to the Buckeyes, who have 31 TFLs and five sacks from Chase Young alone, Miami appears to have little chance to outplay the Buckeyes potent offensive attack.
On special teams, the Buckeyes are also far superior, with Drue Chrisman being among the best punters in college football and Demario McCall putting together an impressive return game.
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Mentally, Ohio State also has the advantage, shown by what Ryan Day said in his weekly press conference, emphasizing the lack of respect toward Ohio State and their priority of focus heading into their match-up with the Redhawks, Here is what coach Day had to say about the situation as reported by Land Grant Holy Land.
"“I don’t know how much respect we had throughout the country coming into the season, but we said, ignore the noise. Well, it’s the same thing now; just because we’ve won a couple games, it hasn’t changed anything for us, so we need to stay focused on right now.”"
This attitude emphasizes that Ohio State has played extremely well, but will remain laser-focused on the Redhawks, led by head coach Chuck Martin, who compared playing the Buckeyes to being at recess and playing against the team with the “first “85 picks”.
Next. Big Ten West Week 4 predictions. dark
On Saturday, the Buckeyes will have the chance to extend their undefeated streak against in-state opponents to 99 years, and I doubt Miami (Ohio) will be able to do anything to stop that.