Ohio doesn’t have the resources to compete for a national title like its in-state brethren, defending champion Ohio State, but the Bobcats have the mindset that they can compete with the top-ranked Buckeyes when they play Saturday in Columbus.
The Bobcats (1-1) of the Mid-American Conference lost their opener 34-31 to a Big Ten school, Rutgers, then last week defeated West Virginia of the Big 12, 17-10.
“Our kids are extremely competitive,” Ohio coach Brian Smith said. “They’re very confident. They obviously know that this is a big challenge and we’re playing a really strong program that has obviously earned that right to be one of the top programs in the country and they’re excited for the challenge.”
For the Buckeyes (2-0), it’s another tune-up before opening Big Ten play at Washington on Sept. 27. They didn’t get any challenge in a 70-0 win over Grambling State and will look to improve on their pass rush and inconsistent running attack.
“Every play is an opportunity to get better,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “I think what we’re really trying to hammer home right now is that you can’t circle opponents on your schedule. You have to continually grow with the process and if you understand that it’s about us, it’s about our training, it’s not about the results.”
However, it will be almost impossible to improve the passing game with Julian Sayin coming off an 18-for-19 performance for 306 yards and four touchdowns against Grambling State. He completed a school-record 16 consecutive passes to open the game to earn the conference’s Freshman of the Week honors.
Sayin’s favorite target is Jeremiah Smith, whose 87-yard TD against Grambling State was the second-longest pass play in Ohio State history.
The Bobcats have an honoree as well in linebacker Michael Molnar, who earned the MAC Defensive Player of the Week award with seven tackles and 1.5 sacks against West Virginia.
“That’s a kid that’s long and that’s a really good athlete and cares a lot,” Smith said. “The more opportunities that he gets to get reps and play at full speed at a high level, the better he’s going to continue to get.”
The Buckeyes, under first-year defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, have allowed seven points in two games but will be tested by dual-threat quarterback Parker Navarro.
He has rushed 27 times for 180 yards (6.7 per carry) and one TD and completed 69.4 percent of his passes for 486 yards and four touchdowns this season, although he had three interceptions against West Virginia.
“You watch what he’s done against two Power (Four) opponents, one Big Ten opponent — he’s done some really good things,” Day said. “He’s spread the ball around. He can make plays off-schedule. He’s got good quickness. Competitive player. Ultimately, he’s a winner. He did that last week. It’s a good challenge for us.”
Day likes the in-state matchup.
“It’s good for the state. I think it’s great for their school. I think it’s great for our school,” he said. “When you’re from the state of Ohio, having a memory of playing in (Ohio Stadium) during your college career is significant. We know these guys are going to be playing with their hair on fire.”
