There’s no such thing as an easy win in the Mid-American Conference. Ohio was made well aware of the toughness the MAC brings in its 27-25 win against Central Michigan Saturday evening.
Ohio entered halftime with a 24-0 lead against a Central Michigan team that came into the game with the No. 1 ranked offense in the MAC in terms of yards. In the first half, Ohio’s defense held CMU to 63 total yards of offense.
It was a completely different story in the second half for the Bobcats. CMU came out looking like the offense it had displayed in its other five games this season. The Chippewas battled back, making it a one-score game late in the fourth quarter.
Down the stretch, Ohio did just enough to win. Holding a 24-point lead after one half, the game probably shouldn't have ended as close as it was.
Nevertheless, Ohio coach Tim Albin walked off the playing field as fired up as he had been all season. He had good reason.
In Albin’s 20 years with Ohio, the team has only won two games in Mount Pleasant, once in 2011 and again Saturday night.
Looking past Ohio’s history, Central Michigan has been one of the most successful teams in the MAC this season. Ohio knew coming in that no matter the lead, a win wouldn’t be easy. Before its loss against Ohio, Central Michigan had won back-to-back games on a go-ahead score on its final drive.
“We knocked them down; I told (the team) at halftime that they’re not going to stay down,” Albin said. “Our guys didn’t blink. This was a program win.”
Ohio’s matchup with Central Michigan felt like a stepping stone for both teams. Each team entered with similar stats, and each was projected to finish around the middle of the conference in the MAC preseason coaches poll.
With the win, Ohio cemented itself as a key contender at the top of the conference.
Aside from an impressive Buffalo team, it’s hard to find a team in the MAC that has succeeded beyond expectations as much as Ohio.
Ohio essentially started over coming into 2024. Its only returning starters on the offense were three offensive linemen. Its defense is essentially the same story in terms of losses. Ohio had plenty of questions to be answered coming into this season.
With a win against Central Michigan, Ohio has answered any questions there may have been.
The Bobcats' ability to make plays in the fourth quarter to close out their second straight conference win showed their perseverance and grit. With a lot of season left to play, the team will need this same perseverance.
Looking ahead, Ohio has an important two weeks coming up. This coming Saturday, Ohio will play a struggling Miami team on the road for another edition of “The Battle of the Bricks.” The following week, Ohio will take on Buffalo, a team that is tied with Ohio for first in the MAC.
If Ohio can get through these two weeks without a loss, then it will be in prime position for its later matchup with Toledo, one of the best all-around teams in the conference.
There are a few games that should be circled in terms of importance for Ohio in the coming weeks, but no matter what, no win will be easy.
Nonetheless, Ohio proved over the weekend that it can win a close game which is vital while playing in the MAC.
