By Pete Nakos
OhioBobcats.com Feature Writer

Coach Frank Solich settled into his weekly press conference and said that this week would be like any other, the goal was simple— to go 1-0.

Going 1-0 this week would mean that the Bobcats would win their first Mid-American Conference Championship game since 1968.

But to the coaches, players, staff and alumni it will mean much more when Ohio (8-4, 6-2 MAC) takes the field Friday at 7 p.m. against No. 13/14 Western Michigan (12-0, 8-0 MAC) at Ford Field in Detroit.

Throughout this week, videos from former Ohio standouts— such as running back Beau Blankenship and quarterback Tyler Tettelton—have been pouring in to wish this team luck, showing what it would mean to the program and team.

The game itself isn't unchartered waters for Solich, he has played in three MAC Championship games (2006, 2009, 2011) but this is the first for this specific group of Bobcats.

He knows his team won't need any extra motivation, winning this game has been the goal all season.

“The motivation is there,” he said. “If you can't get yourself ready to play in this one then you got a problem and our guys don't have a problem,” said Solich. “The thing about hyping us up and motivation, it's gotta come some from them. It all can't be from you or your staff and your pregame speeches and the rest of it.”

He doesn't have a doubt in his mind that his players have that motivation. Maybe Ohio hasn't made the title game every year, but the Bobcats have been competitive year in and year out.

Redshirt freshmen Louie Zervos and Javon Hagan aren't taking this game for granted at all. If the videos from alumni don't remind them enough, then Hagan (MAC Freshman Player of the Year) thinks back to hearing about Ohio's last trip to Detroit when the Bobcats led 20-0 at the half, but ultimately lost to Northern Illinois 23-20.

He thinks about that game all the time, especially in this past week while looking at film and at practice.

For Zervos, he's happy he can contribute any way that he can. Obviously, it doesn't say much about the offense's efficiency in the redzone. But the way he looks at it, he's there to help finish the job. 

“I don't think he wants me to get too big of a head,” Zervos said on the advice Solich gave him. “He just wants me to stay humble and keep doing what I'm doing. I didn't expect I would have this many field goals this time in the year, it's just a blessing.”

Solich has been preaching all year—and especially this week—that the key to winning the game is field position and eliminating turnovers.

Both quarterbacks Greg Windham and Quinton Maxwell will be healthy, and both should see some time behind center at some point against Western Michigan. On top of that, for the first time in a while, offensive coordinator Tim Albin will have all of his skill players in his arsenal. 

Solich will have to worry about the Broncos passing attack of quarterback Zach Terrell to wide receiver Corey Davis. He says that Ohio will mix in different schemes to guard Davis, sometimes pressing.

Ohio is No. 1 in the MAC at rush defense and No. 5 nationally. It has sacked the quarterback 41 times, led by senior MAC Defensive Player of the Year Tarell Basham, who has 11 sacks on the year.

Basham has two priorities come Friday night— to shut down the run and to win a MAC Championship for his teammates and coaches. 

As much as he would like to win the MAC title to shut up all the haters, as he puts it, he knows the impact it would have on the school and program. 

“It would mean a lot to me, to win it for them (coaching staff),” Basham said. “They've been busting their asses to get this program a MAC Championship. They've been there a few times, but to also win the MAC Championship would be even better. Coach Solich deserves it, he's a great coach. I would love to give this to him as one last gift before I depart from college.”