Ohio Bobcats 2010 Preview
July 21st, 2010 by Nick Gerogosian
For a football program that has playing as long as Ohio has, the Bobcats have only four bowl games to their credit, two of those have come under the Frank Solich era. This program has not won the MAC since 1968 but Solich has taken them to the championship game two times in the past four years. Ohio has six starters back on both sides of the ball along with some real star power. Considering the defense ranked 28th in the nation last year and the offense ranked 78th it’s clear where the Bobcats need to focus on this fall in order to move up from the contender to the champion.
The Team
Boo Jackson has been a proven commodity for Ohio over the past few seasons and was granted an extra year of eligibility. Iowa State transfer Phil Bates will play too so look for the Bobcats to increase their passing output per game above last years 198-YPG average. JUCO transfer Kenny Ashley originally committed to USC out of high school and will add a major punch to the running game. LaVon Brazil produced over 700-receiving yards last year returns along with other game breakers Terrence McCrae and Bakari Bussey. Joe Flading leads a very good offensive line. Defensively this may be the most unheralded group in the country. All four starters return led by DTs Marcellis Williamson (6-1 345) & Ernie Hodge (6-2 292). The free up the linebackers so that MLB Noah Keller can make plays all over the field. All he did was rank 6th nationally in tackles per game and produced 155 total tackles for the season. He is a serious MAC-POTY candidate. Gerald Moore and Julian Posey are solid in the defensive backfield.
The Verdict
Other than Ohio State, no team on this schedule is unbeatable for Ohio this year. The Bobcats should be better offensively and they are very solid on defense. Beating Toledo for the first time since 1988 will set the tone for a fine season. Expect the MAC east title to be on the line on November 16 when Ohio visits Temple and Owls are looking for redemption from last year’s 35-17 setback. This publication would be shocked if Ohio doesn’t earn another bowl bid under Solich and don’t be surprised if the Bobcats don’t win their very first bowl game in school history.
2010 Schedule & Prediction
Sept 4 Wofford W
Sept 11 Toledo W
Sept 18 at Ohio State L
Sept 25 at Marshall W
Oct 2 at Eastern Michigan W
Oct 9 BGSU W
Oct 16 Akron W
Oct 23 at Miami (O) W
Oct 30 UL – Lafayette W
Nov 4 Buffalo W
Nov 16 at Temple L
Nov 26 at Kent State L
9-3 Overall; 6-2 MAC
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