In reality, the ‘real’ season begins in a little more than a week’s time with the Mid-American Conference opener at Miami.
That’s the reason Ohio (1-2) won’t be just playing against FCS opponent Gardner-Webb (1-2) on Saturday, in a 2 p.m. kickoff inside Peden Stadium. They’ll also be playing against themselves.
The impending arrival of conference play provided the motivation for head coach Frank Solich to publicly, and in a well-informed fashion, outline his displeasure with the Bobcats’ red zone offense and defense earlier this week. Ohio ranks 122nd (out of 128 teams) in touchdown percentage on red zone possessions on offense; the Bobcats are 115th nationally in touchdown percentage allowed on red zone trips defensively.