Matchup: San Diego State vs. Ohio
Location: Frisco, TX.
Date and Time: December, 19th. 8 PM EST.
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Background Information:
HC Frank Solich has the Bobcats bowling once again, for the 9th in the past 10 seasons (missed out on the 2014 season, even though they were bowl eligible). In 3 of their 4 losses, the Bobcats have been competitive and very well could’ve won all 3 (@ Cincinnati by 4, @ NIU by 3, and @Miami (OH) by 3). Ohio has showed they can put up points as they rank in the Top 10 in Total Offense and have put up more than 40 points in half of their games this season. For the Aztecs, Rocky Long continues the Aztecs streaks of bowl appearances with their 9th. SDSU has quietly turned into the Non-Power 5’s RBU with Donnell Pumphrey and Rashaad Penny. Juwan Washington looked to be in line for another 1,000 yard season from a RB. After a red hot start with rushing for 452 yards and 5 touchdowns, Washington would go quiet as he sustained a fractured collarbone against Eastern Michigan that would sideline him for a 1/3 of the season. Washington slowly would start getting back to his old self before having a huge game against Hawaii in the season finale as he rushed for 153 yards and a couple scores in an OT loss. After a loss to Stanford, SDSU would go on a roll winning their next 6 (including over then #23 Arizona State). After a close lose to Nevada, SDSU would crumbling as they lost 4 of their last 5 contests.
Players to watch out for:
San Diego State:
This one is pretty obvious. It’s RB Juwan Washington. San Diego State is near the bottom in passing yards and although Chase Jasmin is used quite often, when Washington plays well, San Diego State has a chance to do some special things on offense. Fred Trevillion is the leading receiver for the Aztecs, but we’ll see how much they throw his way considering he only has 22 catches, but makes the most of those catches (27.2 YPC).
Ohio:
Ohio had 3 players on offense placed on the All-PFF First Team. It was a QB, a RB, and a WR. Ohio has a three headed monster on offense that will be interesting for the 20th ranked Aztec defense to try and handle. The play caller is always someone to watch out for, but QB Nathan Rourke has quietly been getting some NFL Draft Buzz after how he’s been performing in his Junior season. Rourke had a rare Sophomore year in which he ran for more Touchdowns than threw (21 Rushing, 17 Passing). Now in his Junior year, he continues to show his ability as a runner as well as a passer with 22 passing touchdowns and 13 rushing touchdowns. Defending the 3 head monster is a problem, but when you add in Rourke’s ability to run, it’s nearly unstoppable.
Keys to a win:
San Diego State:
Ohio is really good at getting to special teams units as they have 6 blocked kicks on the year as well as 2 blocked punts in 2018 (In the Top 10 Nationally in each category). Giving Ohio second chances will kill this team and with how good Ohio is on offense, giving them too many will result in a loss for the Aztecs.
Ohio:
Contain the two captains: Juwan Washington has been mentioned, but LB Kyahva Tezino has not. The junior lead the team in 2018 in tackles, TFL’s, and Sacks. Keeping Tezino out of position to make a play and game planning around him will make things easier for the Ohio Offense.
Final Verdict:
I think Juwuan Washington will have a big game and San Diego State will stay competitive, but in the end Ohio has too much offense as they end up winning by a couple touchdowns. Ohio 35 San Diego State 21.
Image Credit: https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2018/8/20/17760046/cactus-bowl-cheez-it-bowl-rename-arizona
