First Impression:  Ohio

A quick first look at this week's opponent - we'll be talking with Garrett Downing, who covers Ohio for their local newspaper, The Athens News, tonight on the podcast.

• Ohio went 4-8 last year, but that included four one possession losses to Wyoming, Central Michigan, Northwestern and Temple, three of them on the road.  And that doesn't include Ohio's 26-14 loss to Ohio State in Columbus, a game the Bobcats led in the fourth quarter.  This is Frank Solich's fifth season as head coach.
• The Bobcats are off to a 2-1 start this season, which includes a 23-16 loss to UConn, a 31-30 double overtime win at North Texas, and a 28-10 victory over Cal Poly last week.
• Boo Jackson was the returning starter at quarterback, but suffered a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder.  Jackson was already splitting time with Theo Scott through the first two games, and Scott went 14 of 27 for 236 yards and 3 TDs in his first full-time action against Cal Poly.  On the year Scott is 28 of 56 for 397 yards, with 6 TDs and 2 INTs.
• Tennessee's running backs have to be excited this week:  Ohio gave up 259 rushing yards to UConn, 115 to North Texas, and 239 to Cal Poly.
• True story:  Jonathan Crompton will be an improvement over what Ohio's defense saw last week.  Cal Poly's Tony Smith went 1 for 11 for 12 yards and 2 INTs.
• Despite the rushing yards allowed, Ohio's defense has been very opportunistic:  the Bobcats have already forced eleven turnovers in three games.
• Ohio's go-to player is WR Taylor Rice, who caught a 44 yard touchdown against UConn, and had 16 catches for 203 yards and 2 TDs in the last two games.
• The Vols and Bobcats have never met before.  Tennessee is a 21 point favorite.