Saturday, September 27, 2014

Peden Stadium in Athens

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Eastern Illinois (1-3) and Ohio (2-2) meet up for the first time in each school's history with both teams looking to earn one more nonconference win before getting into the meat of their schedule. EIU has struggled after replacing their entire coaching staff and key offensive players, limping out to a 0-3 start before putting it all together in a 63-7 win over Austin Peay. Ohio hopes to get their own offense rolling; having averaged just 17.5 PPG through the first four games of the season, 120th in the FBS.

Eastern Illinois is really missing the services of Dino Babers and his coaching staff that left after a 12-2 campaign a year ago to take over the Bowling Green program. The Panthers started the season with a 42-20 loss in Minnesota followed by losses to Southern Illinois and Illinois State before hanging 63 on Austin Peay. Gone is the pocket passing prowess of Babers and Jimmy Garoppolo, who is off to NFL with the Patriots, and in is a more spread option offense of Kim Dameron. The output against Austin Peay could be a good sign that players are finally competent with Dameron's scheme, as QB Jalen Whitlow threw for 159 yards and 2 TD and ran for 137 and another 2 scores.

Ohio was able to get a 36-24 win over Idaho last Saturday but it didn't come without a price as starting QB Derrius Vick was injured and will miss significant time healing his knee. Vick was off to a great start completing 61.5% of his passes with 4TD against 1 INT, but will be replaced by JD Sprague who has actually seen time in the last three games.

In addition to having an underperforming offense, the Ohio defense has been lit up through the air allowing 318.8 YPG, 7th worse in the country. Opponents have thrown 15 TD against the Bobcat secondary, which is 2nd worse in the nation while also only intercepting three balls. With a QB hurt and a developing offense coming into town, Ohio may struggle more in this FBS/FCS matchup more than people think.

Ohio Bobcats Betting Trends

Ohio Bobcats are 2-2-0 Against the Spread

Ohio Bobcats are 1-2-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Eastern Illinois Panthers

No injuries to report at this time

Ohio Bobcats

09/21/14 QB JD Sprague None expected to start Saturday vs. Eastern Illinois
09/21/14 WR Landon Smith Wrist "?" Saturday vs. Eastern Illinois
09/21/14 DB Nathan Carpenter Groin "?" Saturday vs. Eastern Illinois
09/21/14 WR Papi White Knee "?" Saturday vs. Eastern Illinois
09/21/14 OL Seth Everhart Appendix "?" Saturday vs. Eastern Illinois
09/21/14 DB Blake Scipio Groin "?" Saturday vs. Eastern Illinois
09/21/14 TE Brennan Boland Ankle "?" Saturday vs. Eastern Illinois
09/21/14 DB Brett Layton Knee "?" Saturday vs. Eastern Illinois
09/21/14 DB Corey Quallen Toe "?" Saturday vs. Eastern Illinois
09/21/14 QB Derrius Vick Knee injured last game, expected to miss Saturday vs. Eastern Illinois
09/13/14 LB Ben Russell Shoulder out for season
08/30/14 DL Tony Stephens Knee out for season
08/29/14 OL Durrell Wood Shoulder out for season

Tony's Pick: Take Ohio

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