Buffalo Aim for Redemption After First MAC Loss; Ohio Seek to Bounce Back
Buffalo Bulls Aim for Redemption After First MAC Loss; Ohio Bobcats Seek to Bounce Back
This Saturday afternoon, the Buffalo Bulls (4-3, 4-3 ATS) face off against the Ohio Bobcats (4-3, 3-4 ATS) in a crucial MAC showdown. Both teams are looking to regain their momentum after recent defeats, with Buffalo coming off a home loss to Western Michigan and Ohio stumbling against Miami Ohio. The Bobcats previously defeated the Bulls 20-10 in a road victory last season, setting the stage for an exciting rematch.
Buffalo Bulls Seeking to Recover from First MAC Defeat
The Buffalo Bulls enter this matchup eager to rise above the .500 mark in conference play. After starting the season strong with a 3-1 record, they have now dropped two of their last three games. Their journey in MAC competition began with an overtime win against Northern Illinois and a solid 30-15 victory over Toledo. However, a disappointing 48-41 home defeat to Western Michigan last week has left them at 2-2 in the conference. As 1.5-point underdogs in that game, they fell short despite a valiant effort.
C.J. Ogbonna emerged as a standout player last week, throwing for 309 yards. However, he has struggled with consistency, completing only 55% of his passes this season. With a total of 1,060 passing yards and an impressive 7:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, Ogbonna’s performance will be crucial against Ohio’s defense.
Buffalo’s ground game remains a key asset. Junior RB Al-Jay Henderson notched 142 rushing yards against Toledo, contributing to his season total of 374 yards. The receiving corps has struggled to produce, with only three players surpassing 100 yards so far. JJ Jenkins leads with 168 yards, while Victor Snow adds 300 yards.
Defensively, the Bulls have shown promise in conference play, limiting opponents to 20 points or fewer in two of their last three MAC matchups. However, last week’s game against Western Michigan exposed weaknesses, as they allowed 490 total yards. Buffalo ranks 103rd in pass defense and 74th in rush defense, which could be exploited by Ohio’s offense.
With an average of just 22 points per game, Buffalo sits at 102nd in the nation, while their defense concedes an average of 26.3 points, ranking 85th overall.
Ohio Bobcats Look to Bounce Back After Tough Road Loss
The Ohio Bobcats are aiming to rebound from their first conference defeat this season. After facing a challenging non-conference slate that included losses to Syracuse and Kentucky, Ohio secured wins against Akron and Central Michigan in MAC play. However, they faced a tough 40-14 road loss against Miami Ohio last week as 3.5-point underdogs. Unfortunately, the Bobcats have managed to cover the spread in just one of their last five outings.
Quarterback Parker Navarro has struggled recently, throwing for 162 or fewer yards in three of his last four games. He recorded just 125 yards against Miami, bringing his season total to 986 yards with a 5:6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. However, Navarro is more effective on the ground, accumulating 434 rushing yards.
With senior RB Anthony Tyus III sidelined due to injury, Navarro is expected to shoulder a heavier workload in the run game. Tyus had amassed 610 rushing yards this season before his injury. The Bobcats will look to Coleman Owen in the passing game, who leads the team with 526 receiving yards.
Despite their recent struggles, Ohio’s defense has shown resilience, allowing 25 or fewer points in three of their last five games. Last week, they allowed 330 total yards, including 152 on the ground. The Bobcats rank 66th in pass defense and 35th in rush defense, positioning them well against a struggling Buffalo offense.
With an average of only 21.9 points scored per game, Ohio ranks 108th nationally. However, their defense has managed to keep opponents to an average of 24.3 points, placing them 70th overall.
Conclusion
As both teams vie for a much-needed victory, the Buffalo Bulls will aim to harness their home-field advantage and recover from their recent setbacks. Meanwhile, the Ohio Bobcats will strive to regain their winning momentum after a challenging loss. Expect an intense battle as each squad looks to solidify its standing in the MAC.
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