The Ohio Bobcats and the Appalachian State Mountaineers enter the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl riding three-game win streaks, but that is about the only similarity you’ll find between the two teams.
Ohio will be settling in to their post-season routine, after a strong mid-season surge that propelled the Bobcats to an eight-win season. Head Coach Frank Solich once again has the Bobcats in a post-season game, after a one-year hiatus that came on the heels of a five-year run with a bowl appearance.
Appalachian State will be appearing in their first bowl since moving to the FBS ranks. Steady as she goes for the Mountaineers this year, as the team’s only two losses came against the NCAA’s top-ranked Clemson Tigers and the unbeaten Sun Belt champion Arkansas State Red Wolves.
Bowl: Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
Teams: Ohio Bobcats vs Appalachian State Mountaineers
Date/Time: December 19, 2015 – 5:30 EST on ESPN
Location: Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL
Vegas Line/Total: Appalachian St. -9 / O/U 54
Written by: Erik the Hun
8 – 4 Record – 8 – 4 Vs Spread Over – Under: 7 – 5 11/24/15 @ Northern Illinois W 26-21 W 11 U 58 |
10 – 2 Record – 6 – 6 Vs Spread Over – Under: 5 – 7 12/05/15 @ South Alabama W 34-27 L -18 O 59 |
December 26, 2009 – Little Caesars Pizza Bowl – Ohio 17 – 21 Marshall December 18, 2010 – New Orleans Bowl – Ohio 21 – 48 Troy December 17, 2011 – Famous Idaho Potato Bowl – Ohio 24 – 23 Utah State December 28, 2012 – Independence Bowl – Ohio 45 – 14 Louisiana–Monroe December 23, 2013 – Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl – Ohio 20 – 37 East Carolina |
November 18, 1950 – Burley Bowl – App. State 6 – 26 Emory and Henry College November 25, 1950 – Pythian Bowl – App. State 26 – 28 West Liberty State College November 25, 1954 – Burley Bowl – App. State 27 – 13 East Tenn. State December 11, 1954 – Elks Bowl – App. State 13 – 20 Newberry College November 19, 1955 – Burley Bowl – App. State 0 – 7 East Tenn. State |
Ohio Outlook:
The Bobcats arrive in Montgomery having out-rushed their previous four opponents by an average of 170 yards a game. That might be more than they could hope for, considering Ohio has had to play all three QBs over the course of the season. With a one/two punch at the running back position, Ohio will look to carry over the late MAC schedule momentum.
The big question mark for Big Green is at the QB position. All three are expected to be healthy. Derrius Vick, the season starter and the QB that took the lion share of the work load (158-1807 yds and 11 total TDs) would figure to be the front runner for the start, but JD Sprague (50-789 yds and a 7 TD to 1 INT), is available. Both have proven to be capable of leading the offense throughout the season.
The running game is where Ohio has hung its hat all year. The larger of the two, A.J. Ouellette (137-642 yds and 5 TDs) is the bruiser while Daz’mond Patterson (102-497 yds and 9 TDs) is the slasher. This has been an effective combination down the stretch as Ohio has had to rely more on the ground game to churn out victories.
Sebastian Smith (62-754 yds and 7 TDs), is more than capable of getting open for whoever Coach Solich decides to start. Jordan Reid, the Bobcats’ #2 wideout, is also capable of stretching the defense. He has averaged 13.9 yards a catch throughout the 2015 campaign.
Defensively, Ohio will rely on an opportunistic defense that created 19 turnovers and finished plus six for the year. Opponents have only been able to muster 24.8 points a game against the Bobcat D, which is good for 51st in the nation.
Appalachian State Outlook:
The Mountaineers finished the season with an impressive 10-2 record, and averaged 37.2 points per game, but that was only good for second in the Sun Belt, as Arkansas State went unbeaten. I fully expect that this will not be an issue for an Appalachian State group that should be JACKED UP!! to say the least, playing in their first bowl game in school history.
Sophomore QB Taylor Lamb has been effective and efficient to say the very least. He has gaudy numbers through the air this year (2240 yds and 29 TDs! with 8 INT’s), as well impressive numbers on the ground as well (76-385 yds and 4 TDs). Expect the Mountaineers to use this combination of run and pass from the QB position to chew up yardage against Ohio.
Appalachian State is absolutely loaded at the RB position. Five running backs have an average of five yards or more per carry. This juggernaut is spearheaded by Marcus Cox (219 attempts for 1266 yds and 10 total TDs), and ranks 6th nationally. It’s pick your poison with the talent the Mountaineers put into the back field.
At the wide receiver position, Shaedon Meadors (21-439 yds and 3 TDs) and Malachi Jones (23-433 yds 3 TDs), lead the way for a balanced receiver core that can catch and block with the best the Sun Belt has to offer.
Defensively, Appalachian State is holding their opponents to 18.3 ppg and 318 total yards. This unit is lead by Ronald Blair, who is number 1 in the conference in tackles for a loss (17) and number 2 in the Sun Belt in sacks with 7.5. He is not afraid of the bright lights either. Against Clemson this year, he recorded eight tackles, two for a loss, with two sacks. Throw in that Appalachian State is numeral uno in the nation in Red Zone defense, and it could be along day for Ohio.
Matchup Analysis & Prediction
Analysis:
Appalachian State has a great offense lead by Taylor Lamb and Marcus Cox and although their defense has played well throughout the year, they were giving up an average of 27 points a contest over their last five. I have no doubt they will leave it all out on the field for their first bowl appearance ever.
Ohio struggled a bit through the middle of the season, but rebounded nicely and played solid on both sides of the ball to finish out the year. With time to prepare for the Mountaineers offense, I expect this to be a closer game than it may appear on paper.
Prediction:
To get further analysis about the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl from Ej the Rainmaker and Erik the Hun, check out our audio preview of the Bowl using the audio file below…
