Paul Peck's Bull Session: Ohio
11/3/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football
Each week, Voice of Bulls Football Paul Peck will preview the upcoming game.
Buffalo (6-2, 4-0) vs. Ohio (6-2, 3-1)
A few came close in 2008, especially Election Night. I'm sure there were a few in the days of Rotary Field. Some Syracuse fans may argue about the Rich Stadium games in 1979. But I believe that Tuesday night's UB-Ohio game is the biggest college football game in Western New York history, and obviously in Bulls history. That's based on a lot of factors. There has never been a UB team like this one, with six wins before the start of November. They have created a local buzz only equaled by Drew Willy, James Starks and the '08 Bulls. This game will be on national TV on ESPN2. There will be at least one NFL General Manager here to watch Khalil Mack and others. The Bobcats are the model team in the MAC East, headed to a fifth straight bowl. Yes, Ohio is UB's biggest conference rival. Is that enough to have you excited? It is for me. I can't wait until 8 pm Tuesday.
Bullseye on: Buffalo Defense
The loss of Adam Redden to a knee injury really hurts. He had been playing well, leading the team in tackles and providing the perfect balance to Mack. But there has been no shortage of "other" heroes on the Bulls defense. Now, Okezie Alozie and Tomarris Bell get their turn. They will be Redden's replacements at the hybrid LB/S position. Both have shown to be physical players, a must for the position. Bell may be a bit faster (He's a former member of the UB track team), Alozie a bit more physical. Look for both to get plenty of playing time…Look for the two impressive freshmen to see more playing time. LB Jarrett Franklin and DE Brandon Crawford have both looked good in limited plays. But you're starting to see them get in the game earlier, not just when the game is out of reach…The nation gets to see what we have all season, when Mack steps on the big stage. He currently leads the MAC in sacks and tackles for loss. You may have missed a statistical oddity that gave Khalil the school record for sacks. He was awarded the 25th of his career at Kent State when QB Colin Reardon was called for intentional grounding after being hurried by Mack. The loss of down penalty means the play counts, and Mack got the sack…Khalil is now all alone in third place on the NCAA's career TFL list. He trails second place George Selvie by two, and leader Jason Babin by eight…In the last six games, the Bulls defense has 19 sacks and 19 takeways… MATCHUP ALERT! The Bulls are 2nd in the MAC with 25 sacks. The Bobcats are 3rd in the MAC, allowing only 6 sacks all season…Not taking sacks is just one of the many skills possessed by Ohio QB Tyler Tettleton. I think he's the MAC's best quarterback. The stats back that up. He is #1 in passing efficiency, #2 in passing yards. He leads the conference with 68% completions. In his last three games, the son of former MLB catcher Mickey Tettleton has thrown for 1000 yards and 9 TD. Jeff Quinn talked about Tettleton's confidence and skill level, and cited that athletic upbringing as a big reason why…Tettleton's running used to concern Bulls fans. But he doesn't use his legs much anymore. In 2011, Tettleton ran 166 times. In 2012, it was 120 keepers. This year, he's run just 20 times…Have you noticed that teams don't throw much at CB Courtney Lester? That's the ultimate compliment for how the junior is playing…Lester and the DB's will have a tough job Tuesday. Ohio WR Donte Foster has 50 catches, to rank fourth in the MAC. He's had 100 yards in three straight games, and last week had three TD vs. Miami…Fellow wideout Chase Cochran is the Bobcats big play guy. He averages 22.3 yards per catch, and has six receptions of 40 yards or more…The Bulls currently lead the MAC in run defense, giving up just 141 yards per game….MATCHUP ALERT! The Bulls lead the MAC in third down defense. Ohio leads the MAC in converting third downs, at an amazing 49%.
Bullseye on: Buffalo Offense
Bulls quarterback Joe Licata has now started 12 games. That gives us a full season's worth to evaluate. Here are the numbers and they are impressive: 2,400 yards, 60% completions, 20 TD, seven interceptions, 9-3 record. While I believe Willy is the program's best Division I-A quarterback, I think Licata is much better than Willy was as a sophomore, and not that far away from who Willy would become…Joe ranks fifth in the MAC in passing efficiency…He has thrown 102 straight passes without an interception. The last one came against Connecticut…In his last five games, its 10 TD and just 1 INT…How about Branden Oliver's last four games? An average of 170 yards and seven TD…His touchdown run at the end of the first half against Kent State was one my plays of the year. Not just for the devastating shoulder that sent the cornerback flying three yards back, but for Bo's ability to tightrope the sidelines and stay inbounds...Oliver is now up to third in the MAC and 19th in the NCAA in rushing yards per game…Ohio's run defense ranks third in the MAC, giving up 154.8 yards per game. But three games ago, they gave up 208 yards to Central Michigan. Two games ago, it was 315 yards to Eastern Michigan. This figures to be a real key to this game, as it is for all teams that face Oliver…Let's give credit to John Kling. The left tackle made his first start at Kent State, and the offense did not skip a beat. The power, depth and physical play of the offensive line has been one of the understated keys to this season…With all the focus on Alex Neutz, Fred Lee has emerged as a major weapon. Fred has cooked up 32 catches and 375 yards in his last five games…Neutz still had his sixth catch of 40 yards against Kent State…Freshman Boise Ross made his first career start against Kent State. He is slowly working his way into the offense, and once he settles in Ross will give Licata just another weapon. At some point soon, a defense is going to forget about him and it will be Boise's first big play….MATCHUP ALERT! The Bulls have allowed only seven sacks all season, ranking fourth in the MAC. The Bobcats have 28 sacks this season, first in the MAC and second in the NCAA…20 of those sacks have come in the last four games…Freshman defensive end Tarell Basham has six sacks, to rank right behind Mack in the MAC…third in the MAC in sacks is Ohio's Ty Branz, but he's out of this game with a knee injury…Bobcats cornerback Devin Bass is second in the MAC in passes defended…The Bobcats leading tackler is safety Josh Kristoff, and linebacker Ben Russell is second.
Bullseye on: Always Battling the Bobcats
While the Bobcats have been the class of the MAC East, some of their toughest battles have come against the Bulls. That's especially true at UB Stadium. The Bulls have won four of their six home games against Ohio. Two years ago, it was a 38-37 win. Last year, in Athens, the Bulls jumped out to a 14-0 lead before special teams miscues and penalties led to a seven point loss. That's why this game is a measuring stick for UB. To be the best, you have to beat the best. I can't wait to find out.
Please join me, color analyst Jim Kubiak, sideline reporter Scott Wilson and host Brad Riter for the broadcast on the Bulls Football Network. Our pregame show starts at 7:00pm. You can hear it in Buffalo on Sportsradio 1270 The Fan (www.sportsradio1270.com), in Rochester on Sports 1280 WHTK (www.whtk.com) and in New York City on Bloomberg Radio 1130 AM (www.bloomberg.com/radio).
