Before each Ohio State game, Eleven Warriors catches up with a media member who covers the opposing team to get their perspective on the Buckeyes' upcoming opponent.
This week, we’re joined by Cam Robertson, who covers Ohio football as part of his job as the sports editor for the Athens Messenger, the Bobcats’ local newspaper.
In this edition of Across The Field, Robertson shares his perspective on Ohio’s big win last weekend over West Virginia, the Bobcats’ chances of defending their MAC championship, what’s allowed Ohio to be successful in their first two games of the season against Power 4 opponents and how competitive he thinks the Bobcats will be this week against the Buckeyes.
The Bobcats enter this game with momentum after beating West Virginia in front of a record-setting home crowd last week. Can you explain what made that game and win so meaningful to the program and its fans?
Robertson: The fans largely felt a little slighted with Tim Albin leaving for Charlotte, and felt like they were being treated like a ‘stepping stone’ by a guy who had been in Athens for two decades. So for the first home game since that situation and a MAC championship to be a record-setting environment with a win over a power conference school from not far away was a big morale boost. I think it proved to the program and the fans that the confidence in the team and this staff was not unfounded, but rather it was justified.
Ohio is the defending MAC champion. What do you think of the Bobcats’ chances to defend their conference title this year?
Robertson: Going into the season, a lot of people didn’t have Ohio as the top contender in the MAC. I believe that was an incorrect assessment. There were a lot of new pieces coming in this year, especially on defense, and a tough non-conference schedule. But, I think the team has shown exactly what they can be and have cemented themselves as the team to beat in the MAC for the second straight year with back-to-back very solid showings and an upset victory.
Former Ohio coach Tim Albin left the program just hours after last year’s MAC Championship Game to become the head coach at Charlotte. How would you assess the job new head coach Brian Smith is doing so far?
Robertson: The transition under Coach Smith has been seamless. It always helps when a program promotes a guy who's been in the program, and Smith making the jump from OC to HC has been super simple. It’s made a lot easier with a returning graduate quarterback and with returning coordinators as well. When a team loses a coach in this era, it usually creates an entire overhaul. At Ohio, that couldn’t be further from the case.
Parker Navarro is now in his second year as Ohio's starting quarterback after earning second-team All-MAC honors last year. What kind of challenges will he present to Ohio State's defense?
Robertson: Navarro is the true definition of a dual-threat quarterback. He leads the team in rushing through two games, and ran for over 1000 yards a season ago. He will force the Buckeye defense to stay honest and keep contain, which can help open up some of the Bobcat passing game. He’s taken serious strides as a passer since becoming the starter last season, and shows great poise through adversity.
Outside of Navarro, who are some other Ohio players that Buckeye fans should know about?
Robertson: Offensively, wide receiver Chase Hendricks has been on a tear to begin the season. He operates largely out of the slot in the Ohio offense and has over 100 yards and a touchdown in both games so far. Defensively, the safety duo of DJ Walker and Adonis Williams Jr. will be names to watch as they take a large part of helping stop the OSU passing game. Both players are team captains and leaders of a defense that took a big step forward last week.
What’s been the biggest key to Ohio’s success so far this season, and what’s the biggest thing they need to improve upon?
Robertson: It sounds weird, but Ohio’s biggest key to success has been its confidence. Three power conference opponents, including the No. 1 team in the nation, is enough to shake anyone, but Ohio shows up with the belief that they belong. In Week 1, it was an offensive showcase, and the following week, it was the defense that led the way. They need to be more consistent, however, as the offense and defense have yet to play their best at the same time.
Ohio's last game at Ohio Stadium 15 years ago is most remembered for Ohio's mascot, Rufus, tackling Brutus Buckeye before the game. How much is that moment still talked about in Athens, and any word on whether Rufus plans to make amends this week?
Robertson: That moment still gets talked about a good amount. It’s maybe one of the wackiest stories that is out there, and is a pretty iconic moment in a matchup of two schools that don’t play one another nearly enough. I have no clue if Rufus will be at Ohio Stadium on Saturday night, but I know the Marching 110 will, and I’d expect a show as they team up with the OSU band.
How do you see the game playing out? Does Ohio push for another upset this weekend, or will the Buckeyes be too much for the Bobcats?
Robertson: I could definitely see Ohio making this game closer than expected out of the gate, but ultimately, I think the talent gap and the physicality of the Buckeye defense will turn the tide fully in OSU’s favor. Ohio will definitely put up more of a fight than anyone would’ve expected when looking at the schedule over the summer, however, and I do think this game will be an entertaining one regardless of the final score.
