The similarities between the Ohio and Kentucky football teams are endless.
Both are 2-4. Both have injured quarterbacks. Both deviate from the standard and play a 3-4 defense.
Something will have to give Saturday, though, when the Bobcats and Wildcats meet in Lexington, Ky.
Ohio (2-4 overall, 1-2 Mid-American Conference) recognizes Kentucky (2-4 overall, 0-3 Southeastern Conference) as a very talented team.
Kentucky's no Central Florida
Ohio coach Brian Knorr said. They've got a tremendous amount of talent. They can make big plays and they're a team that's played with everybody they've played.
Even though Ohio is from a non-BCS conference, Kentucky is not taking the talent level of the Bobcats for granted.
The MAC has had a great year already and we don't need to add to that
Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said. We're facing a very good team.
While Ohio has practiced quarterbacks Fred Ray, Ryan Hawk and Austen Everson this week, Knorr said Ohio is unsure which one will start. Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen suffered a mild concussion in last Thursday's game against South Carolina but should be ready to go against the Bobcats.
Lorenzen is not a typical quarterback. He is listed at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds. As a fourth-year starter, Lorenzen has broken a number of Kentucky and NCAA passing records already.
Backup Shane Boyd could still see some time in the game, if not at quarterback, then possibly at wide receiver.
We're ready for both of them
Ohio safety Rob Stover said. If they play Lorenzen
we're ready for him
if they play the other guy
Boyd
we're ready for him.
Defensively, both teams play a 3-4 defense, a scheme rarely used on a routine basis. Kentucky suspended linebacker Deion Holts, and linebacker Durrell White is questionable with an injury. If depth becomes a problem, the Wildcats might revert to playing a standard 4-3.
Regardless of the defense Kentucky puts on the field, Everson said the key for Ohio is to continue to establish its running game.
With any defense
for offense the key is the option
running the ball first
