What does a "successful" game for Akron look like tomorrow? That's what I've been trying to figure out this week. Is it covering? No, not necessarily. Is it keeping it close? Yes, but I don't see that as a remote possibility. After thinking it through, I just want to see competence by both sides of the ball to make plays that Division I FBS football players make. Defensively, Ohio State will get open and they'll break tackles and out run you. But I don't want to watch a repeat of the Auburn game where every play seemed to be 25+ yards with open receivers down field. A few deflections and maybe, by miracle, a turnover would be nice to see. Force maybe 2 punts before the fourth quarter. Make at least one tackle in the backfield before the fourth quarter. All of that could end up resulting in 63 points for Ohio State, but at this point, the defensive leadership is so pathetic that's where I have to put the bar at this point.
Offensively? Move the ball a little bit. Get a first down or 2 on each drive. In 2007 in this game, JD Brookhart sent out Jon Stec to punt 14 times. If Slike is sent out fewer times than that, I will be surprised. As other posters have said, keep the clock running and get out of there if that's what you need to do. Irons will be under a lot of pressure so I am hoping that when he does tuck it and run, he's a lot more careful about taking hits. He's been leaving it all out there, don't get me wrong I love the effort, but him going down would officially end any hope this team has.
I don't expect this game to be pretty at all. Just get it over with and don't get hurt. This isn't the year for this game.