For those who believe the New Mexico State Aggies will see an easy opponent in Ohio University this Saturday in the college football season opener, think again.
The Bobcats, a well-respected Mid-American Conference team, are good offensively.
The unit is led by an experienced offensive line which features two all-conference caliber players in left tackle A.J. Strum and right tackle Joe Flading. "They're offensive line is the strength," said NMSU head coach DeWayne Walker.
Known to spread the field with three and four wide receiver sets, the Bobcats will line up in shotgun when looking to throw, and were even seen in the pistol last year - with the quarterback in a semi-shotgun look about four yards behind center, and the tailback behind him.
Under former Nebraska head coach Frank Solich, they're known as a hard-nosed team that has featured the run-option attack in past years.
The scheme could change slightly this season - with perhaps more of an emphasis on the pass - with strong-armed sophomore quarterback Tyler Tettleton taking over under center.
The Bobcats could even run some no-huddle in their attack, with talent at wide receiver and running back.
"They got some guys that can make a big play, then they've got some guys that can make some explosive plays," said NMSU cornerback Jonte Green. "They're good in space."
In their seventh year under Solich, the Bobcats are notoriously strong on special teams.
"Everywhere he's been, he's put
together a solid program," Walker said of Ohio's head man.
The Aggies are expected to be better on offense this year - a good starting five on the line, depth at wide receiver, a possible workhorse running back in Robert Clay and the precocious Andrew Manley at quarterback.
NMSU also figures to be good on special teams - kicker Tyler Stampler is accurate and wide receiver Taveon Rogers is a dangerous return man. Both teams have questions on defense.
In NMSU's case, it's the loss of three starters on the defensive line before the first game of the season.
"We've lost a couple D-linemen that could have easily helped us this year," Walker said.
For Ohio, the team is inexperienced defensively, breaking in new starters across the line and in the secondary.
"They have a lot of young players and I think we can make big plays against them," Rogers said. "That's what I see."
For the two teams' similarities on paper, there is one stark contrast: Ohio is coming off back-to-back bowl appearances.
"The one thing they do have in their favor is that they're used to winning," Walker said.
It's a big season opener for NMSU, set to kick off at 6 p.m. at Aggie Memorial Stadium.
The Aggies, entering Year 3 under Walker, are coming off a 2-10 season in which they were seldom competitive.
Many still view the team as a work in progress, although a win against the favored Bobcats could set the stage for a surprise season.
"It would be nice to get that first one," Walker said. "Get the guys some momentum and get the community and everybody excited about the 2011 Aggies."
The first one's an important one.
It all starts Saturday.
