Ohio at South Alabama - 2026 Matchup Preview

Ohio Bobcats at South Alabama Jaguars

Saturday, September 19th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Hancock Whitney Stadium - Mobile, AL

Bobcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach John Hauser (1 - 0)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (21 - 26 on Road)
Record Prediction: 6.5 - 5.5 (#65)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 9)

Our Line: South Alabama -2 (SP+ USA -0)
Projected Score: OHIO: 25 - USA: 27 (52)
USA Win prob: 55% | Cover: 50%
OHIO Travel: 374 miles, 1 hrs ahead

Jaguars (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Major Applewhite (11 - 14)
Avg Score : 27 - 30 (28 - 29 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0.7 - 2.3 (#126)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 2)

Matchup
Schedules
OHIO Players
USA Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Ohio's 2026 Schedule

Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Ohio at Nebraska	+20.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/12	Ohio vs Jacksonville State	+4.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/19	Ohio at South Alabama	+2	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/26	Ohio vs Stonehill	-11.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/3	Ohio at Kent State	-4	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/10	Ohio vs Central Michigan	+1	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/17	Ohio at Sacramento State	-3	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/24	Ohio vs Eastern Michigan	-2.5	—	—	—	—
— Bye Week —
Tue 11/3	Ohio at Akron	-1	—	—	—	—
Tue 11/10	Ohio at Miami (OH)	+13.5	—	—	—	—
Tue 11/17	Ohio vs Ball State	-14	—	—	—	—
Fri 11/27	Ohio vs Toledo	+3.5	—	—	—	—

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 6
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Ohio's Schedule

South Alabama's 2026 Schedule

Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/12	South Alabama at Tulane	+12.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/19	South Alabama vs Ohio	-2	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/26	South Alabama at Kentucky	+17	—	—	—	—

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for South Alabama's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
OHIO	#42 (.21)	45% (41)	27.8	45% (57)	3.32 (14)	228	46% (29)	184	3.55 (84)	#54 (.12)	41% (63)	21.9	42% (69)	40% (57)	2.83 (13)	48.3	1.5	1.3
USA	#80 (.16)	42% (85)	26.5	43% (76)	3.03 (57)	201	40% (94)	181	4.01 (40)	#118 (.24)	43% (89)	30.4	47% (114)	40% (48)	4.35 (127)	54.9	1	1.3

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
OHIO		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
USA		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
OHIO Offense	13	27.8	21	44.9%	3.55	1.5	22	412	228	184	5.4	60%	38%	45%	46%	12%	.21
USA Defense	12	30.4	28.8	43.2%	4.35	1.3	-	-	-	-	-	54%	44%	47%	40%	15%	.24

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
OHIO Defense	13	21.9	25.8	41.3%	2.83	1.3	-	-	-	-	-	50%	48%	42%	40%	15%	.12
USA Offense	12	26.5	27.8	41.5%	4.01	1	21	382	201	181	4.6	60%	38%	43%	40%	13%	.16

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Ohio	13	32:07	21.6	42%	59%	6.2	48.3	1.5	1.3	4.9	1.7	2	29.9
South Alabama	12	31:08	20.6	43%	54%	6.5	54.9	1	1.3	4.7	1	0	28.6

Run Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
OHIO Offense	13	60% (11)	45% (57)	42.5	228.2	5.4	32 (26)	.21 (23)	3.32 (14)	79% (23)	7% (17)	1.1 (16)
USA Defense	12	54% (119)	47% (114)	-	-	-	-	.18 (109)	3.15 (109)	91% (136)	8% (109)	0.92 (50)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
OHIO Defense	13	50% (73)	42% (69)	-	-	-	-	.08 (56)	2.98 (87)	67% (32)	9% (86)	0.99 (89)
USA Offense	12	60% (10)	43% (76)	44.3	201.2	4.6	30 (60)	.14 (60)	3.03 (57)	76% (40)	9% (53)	1.02 (49)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
OHIO Offense	13	38% (127)	46% (29)	14.8	24	184.2	7.7	12.5	14 (86)	11 (60)	.27 (60)	1.4 (119)	29% (31)	33% (35)	.24 (94)	5% (35)	1.6 (135)
USA Defense	12	44% (19)	40% (48)	-	-	-	-	-	-	6 (100)	.34 (113)	1.8 (129)	33% (40)	29% (64)	.37 (103)	6% (57)	2.3 (128)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
OHIO Defense	13	48% (65)	40% (57)	-	-	-	-	-	-	12 (31)	.21 (54)	1.6 (88)	31% (71)	28% (39)	.2 (26)	6% (75)	2 (55)
USA Offense	12	38% (125)	40% (94)	17.7	25.8	181.1	7	10.3	13 (86)	6 (34)	.23 (79)	1.5 (81)	31% (55)	27% (102)	.28 (73)	4% (17)	2.1 (32)

Ohio's Power Ratings
Ohio's Power Rating: -10.29 #114
Ohio's Offense Rating: 7.45 #126
Ohio's Defense Rating: 17.73 #96
2026 Talent Rating: 424.00 #121
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #104
Ohio's 2026 Expected Record: 6.5 - 5.5
Ohio's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -13.6 #117
Ohio's Offense SP+ Rating: 13.3 #134
Ohio's Defense SP+ Rating: 26.2 #72

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 467.85
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28

Power Ratings Matchup
Ohio: -10.29 South Alabama: -10.055

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Ohio: -13.6 South Alabama: -13.3

South Alabama's Power Ratings
South Alabama's Power Rating: -10.055 #118
South Alabama's Offense Rating: 8.61 #119
South Alabama's Defense Rating: 20.42 #113
2026 Talent Rating: 477.00 #105
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #104
South Alabama's 2026 Expected Record: 0.7 - 2.3
South Alabama's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -13.3 #115
South Alabama's Offense SP+ Rating: 22.7 #95
South Alabama's Defense SP+ Rating: 35.4 #125

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 468
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28

Ohio Scoring
Offense: 27.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 21
Defense: 21.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 25.8

Ohio's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0

Projected Score
South Alabama 27
Ohio 25

Projected Total Points: 52

South Alabama Scoring
Offense: 26.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 27.8
Defense: 30.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 28.8

South Alabama's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2024	09/07	Ohio	27	South Alabama	20	South Alabama -1.5	Ohio	55.5	Under

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
South Alabama	0	0	0 Overs
Ohio	1	1	1 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	1 - 0	1 - 0	0 - 0	1 - 0
Road Teams	0 - 1	0 - 1	0 - 1	0 - 0

(#114) OHIO at (#118) USA

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	OHIO	USA
Game ControlGC	#64	#85
Momentum ControlMC	#92	#86
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#114	#118
SP+SP+	#117	#115
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#121	#105
Blue ChipsBC%	#104	#104

Ohio Notes(2/24) HC Houser was DC LY under B Smith (fired LY)
Ohio Injury Report

South Alabama Notes(2/26) Vibes: Don't see it, doesn't look like they care
(2/26) QB Davenport back, JAG at best. Not much depth
(2/26) Off was bad, lost a ton & added only a TE, 2 OL?
(2/26) RBs are Avg at best, WR are a poor unit on paper
(2/26) OL returns 2, added 1 FCS starter, avg unit LY
(2/26) DE's are OK but DT's are bad. LB unit strong
(2/26) DBs were best unit LY, return 1 CB but he's good
(2/26) Added 3 Off portals, but 2 Kickers? WYD?
(2/2) Applewhite era not working, cleaned house OC/DC
South Alabama Injury Report

Ohio on Offense

Very Run heavy Offense 59%, Pass: 39%
CategoryCat	OHIO Off	USA Def
Game ControlGC	#94	#110
Momentum ControlMC	#67	#88
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#41	#89
ExplosiveExp	#84	#72
PPAPPA	#42	#118
PowerPwr	#126	#113
SP+SP+	#134	#125
Pts POPPO	#84	#127
HavocHav	#17	#94

Ohio Run Game

Very Run heavy Offense 59%, Pass: 39%
CategoryCat	OHIO Off	USA Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#57	#114
Run ExplRExp	#16	#50
PPAExp	#23	#109
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#14	#109
Stuff RateStuff	#4	#103
TackleTak	-	NR

Ohio Pass Game

Very Run heavy Offense 59%, Pass: 39%
CategoryCat	OHIO Off	USA Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#29	#48
Pass ExplPExl	#119	#129
PPAExp	#60	#113
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#17	#109
DB HavocDB	#35	#57

South Alabama on Offense

Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat	USA Off	OHIO Def
Game ControlGC	#53	#29
Momentum ControlMC	#82	#102
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#85	#63
ExplosiveExp	#95	#75
PPAPPA	#80	#54
PowerPwr	#119	#96
SP+SP+	#95	#72
Pts POPPO	#40	#13
HavocHav	#29	#86

South Alabama Run Game

Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat	USA Off	OHIO Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#76	#69
Run ExplRExp	#49	#89
PPAExp	#60	#56
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#57	#87
Stuff RateStuff	#26	#72
TackleTak	-	NR

South Alabama Pass Game

Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat	USA Off	OHIO Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#94	#57
Pass ExplPExl	#81	#88
PPAExp	#79	#54
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#53	#86
DB HavocDB	#17	#75

Program Comparison
USA 5 Year Profile: Declining Average G5
'26 Profile: Down to Below Avg G5

OHIO 5 Year Profile: Declining Average G5
'26 Profile: Down to Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Hancock Whitney Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Previous Matchups
Ohio beat South Alabama in 2024 (27-20)

OHIO's OC Scott Isphording (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Matt Vezza (Tr)	226	369	61%	2673	19	7	7.2
Nick Poulos	4	8	50%	19	0	0	2.4

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Matt Vezza (Tr)	150	605	8	4.0	35
Duncan Brune	120	585	8	4.9	66
Victor Rosa (Tr)	30	155	2	5.2	31
Nick Poulos	8	34	0	4.3	19

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Victor Rosa (Tr)	15	147	1	9.8	65
Dom Dorwart	11	119	0	10.8	35
Max Rodarte	7	86	0	12.3	24
Eian Pugh	6	75	0	12.5	25

View Ohio's Full Roster

OHIO's DC Kurt Mattix (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Charlie Christopher	63	3	2	2	2
Michael Molnar	62	5	2	2	3
DJ Walker	55	6	0	1	1
Jack Fries	54	3	1	1	5

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Joseph Marsh	8	2	2	0	0
Charlie Christopher	63	3	2	2	2
Michael Molnar	62	5	2	2	3
Derek Reagans	8	2	2	3	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jack Fries	54	3	1	1	5
Nehemiah Dukes	28	2	1	0	3
Michael Molnar	62	5	2	2	3

USA's OC Paul Petrino (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Bishop Davenport	200	294	68%	2072	12	6	7.0
Jared Hollins	12	16	75%	101	1	0	6.3

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Keenan Phillips	126	622	3	4.9	54
Bishop Davenport	116	326	9	2.8	56
PJ Martin	60	326	2	5.4	38
Trae'von Dunbar	3	41	1	13.7	34

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Anthony Eager	40	339	1	8.5	48
Everett Hunter (Tr)	24	283	3	11.8	36
Brendan Jenkins	9	117	1	13.0	30
Micah Woods	11	113	1	10.3	33

View South Alabama's Full Roster

USA's DC Jason Washington (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Tirrell Johnson Jr.	54	6	1	3	1
Caleb Dozier	39	1	0	3	1
Seidrion Langston (Tr)	36	3	0	0	0
Jayvon Henderson	27	2	0	0	5

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
E'Mauri Smiley	15	1	1	1	0
Tirrell Johnson Jr.	54	6	1	3	1
Emmanuel Waller	14	3	1	2	0
Jacob Porco	4	0	0	0	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jayvon Henderson	27	2	0	0	5
Tirrell Johnson Jr.	54	6	1	3	1
Cole Blaylock	12	0	0	0	1