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01-07-2007, 09:22 AM
Ohio Offense vs. Southern Miss Defense Ohio has run the ball far more than it passed it and don't expect a change in that approach because the Bobcats haven't lost when running back Kalvin McRae has rushed for more than 100 yards. McRae is a physical between-the-tackles runner who has excellent vision and rarely goes down with the first hit. That's not good news for Southern Miss fans because the Golden Eagles' run defense isn't strong in the middle. Though DTs Sean Merrill and Martavious Prince are active, they take too long to shed blocks and have problems holding their ground when they get reached. A strong interior offensive line led by OC J.J. Knabb should be able to neutralize the two tackles and get a body on undersized MLB Gerald McRath. McRae isn't the most explosive runner in the nation, but Ohio should have some success attacking the perimeter. LOT Matt Coppage and David Shelby have good quickness and athletic ability for their size so they should have some success sealing DEs Matthew Chatelain and Robert Henderson inside. The Bobcats should also mix in some option and the Southern Miss linebackers have been caught out of position at times this year.
It's unclear who will start at quarterback at this point and that's never a good sign. QB Austen Everson is listed as probable and should be available after missing the Miami game and leaving the MAC Championship game with an ankle injury. However, coach Frank Solich could opt for backup Brad Bower even if Everson is healthy because both have been inconsistent at best and have thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. Regardless of who gets the start, the Bobcats will need their quarterback to make sound decisions. This should be a close game with field position playing a big role in the outcome so protecting the football should be essential. Everson and Bower must take what the defense gives them and be willing to throw the ball away when nothing is available downfield. The good news is both are capable of picking up yards with their feet and Southern Miss' pass rush hasn't been all that productive. It's also worth noting that the Golden Eagles greatly improve their chances of winning if they can prevent the big play because neither quarterback has shown the ability to consistently move the offense. Keeping that in mind, DCs Jasper Faulk and Caleb Hendrix can't get caught biting on play action when they line up opposite WR Scott Mayle. Mayle doesn't get a lot of opportunities to make plays, but he has good speed.
Southern Miss Offense vs. Ohio Defense
These two teams mirror each other in a lot of ways and much like Ohio, Southern Miss will lean heavily on its primary running back, true freshman Damion Fletcher. Fletcher is an efficient runner who reads his blocks well, shows good burst though the hole and makes up for his lack of power with his ability to bounce off would-be tacklers. Though he has been slowed by injuries, the long layoff should help. Of course, a relatively experienced offensive line that does a good job of getting into position and creating seams has played a big role in Fletcher's success. Ohio's defensive tackles are at their best getting into gaps and disrupting plays in the backfield. The problem is the Golden Eagles' interior offensive line is quick and experienced. It should be able to get into position at the line of scrimmage and can get a body on MLB Matt Muncy when Southern Miss runs inside. Muncy plays with a great motor, rarely gets caught out of position and tackles well but he doesn't shed blocks all that well so he becomes far less effective when teams can get a body on him.
QB Jeremy Young has played the role of game manager well. He has made sound decisions as a passer and picked up important yards with his feet when nothing has been available downfield. Ohio has done a far better job defending the pass and DE Jameson Hartke excels at harassing opposing quarterbacks. No. 1 CB T.J. Wright has excellent cover skills and No. 2 CB Mark Parson has developed into an excellent complement. Southern Miss shouldn't expect to consistently move the ball through the air in this game, but it can get a few game-breaking plays off the play-action -- especially when Young buys his receivers extra time with his mobility. WR Damion Carter and TE Shawn Nelson are the two most dangerous weapons for Young to target. Carter, who averages 15.6 yards per catch, uses his height and athleticism to generate separation versus man-coverage downfield. Nelson isn't as much of a vertical threat, but he is reliable over the middle and he leads the team with 36 catches this season.
Special Teams
Ohio's Matt Lasher's greatest strength is his versatility, as he has connected on his last 10 field goal attempts, has placed 29 of his 72 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line and gets adequate distance on his kickoffs. However, he hasn't shown great range as a punter or a place kicker, and he has had three of his field goal attempts blocked. It's also worth noting that backup QB Brad Bower placed his only punt this year inside the opponent's 20-yard line. As far as the return game goes, the Bobcats are in excellent position to win the battle of field position. Though the Golden Eagles have done a fairly good job of covering punts, return man Chris Garrett is explosive and elusive making him a threat to do the distance every time he touches the ball. Garrett and Scott Mayle, who shows a second gear in the open field, are in even better position to make an impact returning kickoffs. After all, they face a Southern Miss kickoff cover unit that has been one of the weakest in the nation.
Southern Miss' Darren McCaleb isn't going to miss many field goal attempts inside 40 yards and he has power to occasionally connect from beyond that range. Twenty-seven of Britt Barefoot's 68 kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks and he can place the ball inside the opponent's 20-yard line when punting but he hasn't shown great range as a punter. Though Brandon Sumrall and Ladarius Webb have flashed big-play ability, the kickoff return unit has been average at best and Ohio has done an outstanding job of covering kickoffs. A strong punt cover unit should also limit the production of Jasper Faulk, who can make the first defender miss and reach his top speed quickly.
Matchups
• Southern Miss RB Damion Fletcher vs. Ohio MLB Matt Muncy
• Ohio RB Kalvin McRae vs. Southern Miss MLB Gerald McRath
• Southern Miss OT Ryan McKee vs. Ohio DE Jameson Hartke
Overview
The Bobcats have won with a conservative and physical approach under coach Solich this season. The Golden Eagles are clearly more athletic, but they also are bigger and stronger in the trenches on both sides of the ball. In short, Ohio does not match up well in this game. Southern Miss should keep McRae relatively in check on defense, which will force the Ohio quarterback -- Everson and/or Bower -- to shoulder too much of the load. Offensively, Southern Miss will benefit from a healthy and rested Fletcher in this game. Expect the unheralded true freshman to showcase his talents on the national stage.
Southern Miss 27
Ohio 17
Southern Miss - 6 1/2
It's unclear who will start at quarterback at this point and that's never a good sign. QB Austen Everson is listed as probable and should be available after missing the Miami game and leaving the MAC Championship game with an ankle injury. However, coach Frank Solich could opt for backup Brad Bower even if Everson is healthy because both have been inconsistent at best and have thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. Regardless of who gets the start, the Bobcats will need their quarterback to make sound decisions. This should be a close game with field position playing a big role in the outcome so protecting the football should be essential. Everson and Bower must take what the defense gives them and be willing to throw the ball away when nothing is available downfield. The good news is both are capable of picking up yards with their feet and Southern Miss' pass rush hasn't been all that productive. It's also worth noting that the Golden Eagles greatly improve their chances of winning if they can prevent the big play because neither quarterback has shown the ability to consistently move the offense. Keeping that in mind, DCs Jasper Faulk and Caleb Hendrix can't get caught biting on play action when they line up opposite WR Scott Mayle. Mayle doesn't get a lot of opportunities to make plays, but he has good speed.
Southern Miss Offense vs. Ohio Defense
These two teams mirror each other in a lot of ways and much like Ohio, Southern Miss will lean heavily on its primary running back, true freshman Damion Fletcher. Fletcher is an efficient runner who reads his blocks well, shows good burst though the hole and makes up for his lack of power with his ability to bounce off would-be tacklers. Though he has been slowed by injuries, the long layoff should help. Of course, a relatively experienced offensive line that does a good job of getting into position and creating seams has played a big role in Fletcher's success. Ohio's defensive tackles are at their best getting into gaps and disrupting plays in the backfield. The problem is the Golden Eagles' interior offensive line is quick and experienced. It should be able to get into position at the line of scrimmage and can get a body on MLB Matt Muncy when Southern Miss runs inside. Muncy plays with a great motor, rarely gets caught out of position and tackles well but he doesn't shed blocks all that well so he becomes far less effective when teams can get a body on him.
QB Jeremy Young has played the role of game manager well. He has made sound decisions as a passer and picked up important yards with his feet when nothing has been available downfield. Ohio has done a far better job defending the pass and DE Jameson Hartke excels at harassing opposing quarterbacks. No. 1 CB T.J. Wright has excellent cover skills and No. 2 CB Mark Parson has developed into an excellent complement. Southern Miss shouldn't expect to consistently move the ball through the air in this game, but it can get a few game-breaking plays off the play-action -- especially when Young buys his receivers extra time with his mobility. WR Damion Carter and TE Shawn Nelson are the two most dangerous weapons for Young to target. Carter, who averages 15.6 yards per catch, uses his height and athleticism to generate separation versus man-coverage downfield. Nelson isn't as much of a vertical threat, but he is reliable over the middle and he leads the team with 36 catches this season.
Special Teams
Ohio's Matt Lasher's greatest strength is his versatility, as he has connected on his last 10 field goal attempts, has placed 29 of his 72 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line and gets adequate distance on his kickoffs. However, he hasn't shown great range as a punter or a place kicker, and he has had three of his field goal attempts blocked. It's also worth noting that backup QB Brad Bower placed his only punt this year inside the opponent's 20-yard line. As far as the return game goes, the Bobcats are in excellent position to win the battle of field position. Though the Golden Eagles have done a fairly good job of covering punts, return man Chris Garrett is explosive and elusive making him a threat to do the distance every time he touches the ball. Garrett and Scott Mayle, who shows a second gear in the open field, are in even better position to make an impact returning kickoffs. After all, they face a Southern Miss kickoff cover unit that has been one of the weakest in the nation.
Southern Miss' Darren McCaleb isn't going to miss many field goal attempts inside 40 yards and he has power to occasionally connect from beyond that range. Twenty-seven of Britt Barefoot's 68 kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks and he can place the ball inside the opponent's 20-yard line when punting but he hasn't shown great range as a punter. Though Brandon Sumrall and Ladarius Webb have flashed big-play ability, the kickoff return unit has been average at best and Ohio has done an outstanding job of covering kickoffs. A strong punt cover unit should also limit the production of Jasper Faulk, who can make the first defender miss and reach his top speed quickly.
Matchups
• Southern Miss RB Damion Fletcher vs. Ohio MLB Matt Muncy
• Ohio RB Kalvin McRae vs. Southern Miss MLB Gerald McRath
• Southern Miss OT Ryan McKee vs. Ohio DE Jameson Hartke
Overview
The Bobcats have won with a conservative and physical approach under coach Solich this season. The Golden Eagles are clearly more athletic, but they also are bigger and stronger in the trenches on both sides of the ball. In short, Ohio does not match up well in this game. Southern Miss should keep McRae relatively in check on defense, which will force the Ohio quarterback -- Everson and/or Bower -- to shoulder too much of the load. Offensively, Southern Miss will benefit from a healthy and rested Fletcher in this game. Expect the unheralded true freshman to showcase his talents on the national stage.
Southern Miss 27
Ohio 17
Southern Miss - 6 1/2