-  Hear Schaus’  initial reaction: Schaus: We are ecstatic

-  I asked Jim about 8-4 Temple not being invited to New Orleans, or any bowl for that matter, despite beaten UCONN, a team headed to a BCS bowl.  Did Temple turn down a bowl bid or was Ohio simply selected before the Owls?  Schaus: On Temple

-  The team will report to Athens this Tuesday and will then fly down to New Orleans on Dec. 14.  Both head coaches, according to Schaus, will be in New Orleans on Monday the 13th for an introductory press conference to kick the week off.

-  Schaus is confident this bowl game will much less costly than the GMAC bowl in 2007 and last year’s Little Caesar’s Pizza Bowl:  Schaus: On Bowl Costs

-  Schaus said the team does not have a confirmed itinerary, but he expects the team will stay the night and return the day after the bowl game.

-  The Orlando Sentinel reports the bowl payout is $325,000 for each team, but because Ohio is not affiliated with either of the two tie-in conferences that payout was re-negotiated by bowl organizers to an unknown figure.  But Schaus is confident Ohio has a chance to break even financially:  Schaus: Can Break Even

-  On such short notice, Schaus is still confident a good amount of Bobcat fans can make what should be a fun trip down to a fun city:  Schaus: Expected Attendance

-  For ticket information, call 1-800-575-CATS or visit OhioBobcats.com.

-  Other notes about the game itself….

-  Ohio coach Frank Solich is 3-0 in his lifetime versus Troy.

-  The Trojans average the second most penalty yards per game in the entire country at 75.8.

-  Ohio and Troy have two common opponents.  Both schools defeated Bowling Green–the Trojans did so 30-27 at home in week one.  Ohio and Troy also share narrow wins over Louisiana-Lafayette at home.

-  Thoughts, comments, suggestions?  Send them my way: calebtroop@gmail.com.

-  I voted Ohio to win the MAC East and placed DeVaughn Washington and D.J. Cooper on the pre-season All-MAC East team.  The total tally and league results from the 26 voting member have already been released.

-  Athens High School junior running back DeVon Sharp took an unofficial visit to Ohio this past weekend.  He is one of WOUB’-TV Gridiron Glory’s five Player of the Year candidates.

-  It’s amazing that Ohio has the second best rushing defense in the league, especially given the fact one of Ohio’s nine opponents (Wofford) did nothing but run the ball.

-  Those Terriers, by the way, have won seven straight after a week one loss in Athens.  In fact Wofford and Miami OH are the only two teams with winning records that Ohio has beaten.

-  In the five previous seasons under Frank Solich, the ‘Cats were really good at killing themselves, ranking in the bottom half of the MAC in penalty yardage every year.  Not in 2010.  The Green and White is fourth best, surrendering just 47 penalty yards per game.

-  The ‘Cats have been flat out ridiculous in the red zone this year: 28 scores in 32 tries, with 75% of those attempts ending in touchdowns.  That puts Ohio seventh in the nation in red zone touchdown percentage.  Remember, the ‘Cats were 115th in the country for that category last fall.

-  In the ‘Cats last 17 trips inside the 20, Ohio has walked away with touchdowns 15 times (88%).  Insane.

-  It would be asking a lot for Ohio to win two straight road games at MAC West leading Temple and then at Kent State, which easily has the best defense in the league.  Can it be done?  Yes.  Probable? No.

-  Ohio defensive end Stafford Gatling was still in the Halloween mood earlier this week when he sported a Rick James wig during his on-air Bobcat Blitz interview.  This week’s show is online via the link.

-  Gatling, by the way, could have a field day Thursday as he goes up against freshman tackle Pat Wilson (6-5, 283) from UB.

-  The ‘Cats have surrendered a mere nine sacks in nine games.  And remember, this offensive line will be coming back in its entirety next year.  Part of that attractive number is the design of Ohio’s offense.  There aren’t a ton of five and seven step drop backs.  Also, Boo Jackson and Phil Bates are as mobile as they come, so it’s not like the pressure hasn’t been there.  But still, a sack per game is a good figure.

-  Four of the league’s top five tacklers are sophomores.

-  Ohio’s leading tackler, Chad Clemens (63) ranks 30th in the league in tackles.  In fact Ohio has just two players in the Top 50, including Donovan Fletcher.

-  This team really, I mean really missed cornerback Travis Carrie (shoulder) in the Louisiana-Lafayette win.  More than anything, that game proved to me just how important Carrie is to this defense as the number one cornerback.  Coach Solich told the media Monday Carrie should play against Buffalo.  He did not practice Tuesday, however.

-  Bulls kicker A.J. Principe has not made a field goal longer than 40 yards.

-  Folks, TE Troy Hill is going to be special.  The guy has been fantastic in the last two weeks of extended action.  Ohio ran behind him a good amount against the Ragin’ Cajuns as he took Jahan Olyaie’s (chest) spot as the second tight end.  Teammates I talk to rave about the kid, and his 6-6 frame speaks for itself.  With Jordan Thompson and Hill, the ‘Cats are set at the tight end spot for a few years.

-  After his 72-yard punt, I told punter Paul Hershey he missed the record by three yards.  He joked he should have taking the delay of game to push the ball back to the 23 yard line.

-  I don’t think this is a crazy statement: Hershey has legitimate NFL potential.

-  Ohio with five explosive plays of 25 yards or great.  Three on offense, one on a Travis Carris punt return, and one on Donovan Fletcher’s 55-yard pick six.

-  Not to be overlooked, Ohio QB Boo Jackson is one touchdown pass shy of tying Cleve Bryant (1967-69) with 29 all-time TD tosses.

-  On the receiving end, WR Terrence McCrae is now tied for second with Price with 14 career TD receptions, one shy of Todd Snyder’s (1967-69) record of 15.

-  Really excited for Bobcat Blitz’s next feature as we followed Ohio defensive coordinator Jimmy Burrow around during a typical mid-week practice.  Be sure to check it out next week on WOUB-TV, STO, Fox College Sports Central and OhioBobcats.com

-  Ohio football had essentially zero injuries that I could see from the Bowling Green game Saturday.  When was the last time that happened?

-  Frank Solich is right—holding Phil Bates out for the Eastern Michigan was one of the smartest decisions of the year.

-  I covered Wellston-Alexander high school football Friday for Gridiron Glory, which means it was my second opportunity to watcher 2012 D-I prospect Jaylen Prater.  I’ll have more on him later in the week on the blog.

-  If you are wondering why I’m not blogging a lot, you are wrong.  I’m blogging by the hour!  Check it out at Twitter.com/CalebTroop

-  Bowling Green dominated the time of possession Saturday, and I could care less.

-  Ohio with five trips to the red zone, and five touchdowns.  BG with four trips inside the 20, and two touchdowns.

-  On the season now, the ‘Cats have score 90% of the time in the red zone (17/19), best in the MAC, and 18^th in the nation.  Ohio’s 14 red zone TDs in 17 chances is 16^th best in the FBS, and best in the league.  It’s still early, but what a change from last year.

-  Stat of the game: the ‘Cats averaged 7.1 yards per carry.  Holy cow.

-  Strongside linebacker Jelani Woseley did not play Saturday with a lower body injury.

-  How about CB Kenny Jackson with four solo tackles?

-  DT Carl Jones (7 tackles, 1 TFL) is good for at least one sick play per game, it seems.

-   Ohio ran the ball 81% of the time of first down against the Falcons.

-  Oh by the way, RB Donte Harden returns this week.

-  New England Patriots WR Taylor Price watched the first half from the Bobcats sideline Saturday.

-  After his 72-yard punt, I told Hershey he missed the record by three yards.  He joked he should have taking the delay of game to push the ball back to the 23 yard line.

-  Not to be overlooked, Ohio QB Boo Jackson is one touchdown pass shy of tying Cleve Bryant (1967-69) with 29 all-time TD tosses.

-  On the receiving end, WR Terrence McCrae is now tied for second with Price with 14 career TD receptions, one shy of Todd Snyder’s (1967-69) record of 15.

-  Ohio with five explosive plays of 25 yards or great.  Three on offense, one on a Travis Carris punt return, and one on Donovan Fletcher’s 55-yard pick six.

-  You know opposing defenses have seen corner fade after corner fade to McCrae on film, but seriously, what are you going to do about it?  Watch the film all you want, opposing corners aren’t getting taller, and McCrae isn’t getting shorter.  Works every time.

-  Miami (OH) leads the East at 2-0, but plays four of its next five away from home.  If they are still leading the East Division in a month, they will have earned it, that’s for sure.

-  At this rate, does Kent State coach Doug Martin last the rest of the year?  New A.D. and the final year of a contract with a poor report card with the Golden Flashes.

-  The Akron Zips are averaging a league worst 16.8 ppg.

-  Only Wyoming averages fewer total yards per game than the Zips (252 yards).

-  Ohio leading the MAC in net punting?  Wait, seriously?

-  Akron opponents have gotten into the red zone 27 times and have walked away with 21 touchdowns.  Ohio must be great inside the 20 on Saturday.

-  That was Oakland safety making a huge pass breakup with 27 seconds left in the Raiders’ 35-27 win over San Diego.

-  The Dan Lowe feature for Bobcat Blitz was arguably my most memorable story to date, and I cannot thank Jason Johnson, Margaret and Burgess Lowe, Mark Hug, and Evan Shaw enough for their help.

-  More to come.

-  Bottom line why Ohio is 1-2:  “We’re not getting consistent enough play out of the quarterback position,” said Frank Solich on Monday.  There’s a reason the quarterback position is often called the toughest and most important in all sports.

-  In a decade, no one will remember the final score of the Bobcats-Buckeyes game, but everyone will remember the Brutus-Rufus fight.

-  Can Ohio be a bowl team without a Noah Keller suiting up on Saturdays?

-  LaVon Brazill is simply not a weapon thus far.  And you can’t put that on his bum knee.  The guy hasn’t looked remotely comfortable catching a punt, and that has nothing to do with his knee.  You get the feeling he’s still caught in last year’s success.

-  Speaking of punt returns, I like Travis Carrie back there.  He looks comfortable, and he’s certainly athletic enough to break one open.

-  More Terrence McRae, please.  He has not been targeted enough in the passing game.

-  While I’m at it has Ohio targeted Jordan Thompson, or any other tight end, more than once through three games?  Thompson has one catch for 12 yards.

-  Dear Pistol, where did you go?

-  If punter Paul Hershey can keep up what he did last week against Ohio State, the Bobcats’ special teams unit can be just that—special.

-  Not to be overlooked is the play of Ohio’s defensive line.  Hey, these losses aren’t the front four’s problem—they’ve been great.  As expected, the ‘Cats are truly deep up front.

-  Eight different offensive linemen played at least 20 snaps against Ohio State.  Part of that was the fact it was a blowout, and part of it has to do with the fact that offensive line coach Kevin Lightner is still searching for some answers.

-  It’s worth noting Ryan McGrath played five more snaps (27) than A.J. Strum (22) at left tackle.

-  The Green and White has four touchdowns in eight red zone trips through three games this year, an improvement from last season’s horrific red zone touch down percentage.

-  Ohio is last in the MAC in Time of Possession, with just under 27 minutes per game.  Yes, TOP is overrated, but there’s an obvious connection here.  The ‘Cats are second worst in the nation in total offensive yards.  Well, how are the ‘Cats going to improve that if they don’t have the rock?

-  The MAC has a chance for a ton of upset wins this week.  Buffalo can win at UCONN, CMU could stop Northwestern on the road, Toledo has a shot at Purdue,  and NIU has a chance to top Minnesota.

-  On the road to Huntington.  I’ll be back next week with more insight after the Ohio-Marshall contest.