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Ohio Bobcats 2006 Preview

Ohio Football Preview By: Matt Fargo
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college football previews :#98 – Ohio Bobcats Preview

by: Matt Fargo

Spring practices are in the books and fall camps will be here before you know it so that means getting an early jump on the 2006 NCAA football season. Knowing the teams now will save you time in August and Matt Fargo is here to help you get a grasp of what to expect this upcoming year. We go from worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview.

#98 – Ohio Bobcats 4-7 SU; 4-7 ATS

Fargo’s Take - High expectations came to Ohio last season for the first time in a very long time. The hiring of former Nebraska head coach Frank Solich brought new life to a dead program that has had only two winning seasons since 1982, the last coming in 2000. The Bobcats finished 4-7 last season and after starting 4-4, the season was considered a disappointment. This year could be different, a lot different, as Ohio returns 17 starters which are the most of any MAC team. The offense took a step backwards in 2005 but it was the third straight season that a new system was put into place. The rushing offense improved dramatically from the previous season and should be even better this year. The defense also went backwards last year, but a new system can be part of the blame there as well. With both units returning the bulk of their players and those units playing the same systems for a second straight year, we could see something special in Athens. A lot of things need to go the Bobcats way however.

Returning Starters on Offense – 9 Quarterback was a serious issue last season but that should change and not because Austin Everson is back. It is because of Illinois transfer Brian Bower who should be able to step in and take control of the offense right away despite missing valuable time in spring drills. He has some of the best receivers in the conference led by potential All-MAC selection Scott Mayle. The Bobcats feature a much improved running game with the top five players on the depth chart coming back including Kalvin McRae, the top running back in the conference. He finished with three 200-yard rushing games last year, one of only six backs to accomplish that feat. This team averaged only 17.5 ppg last season, 105th in the country but with the addition of Bower and the return of most everyone, expect that to increase by a great deal.

Returning Starters on Defense – 8 As much as the offense struggled last season, the defense struggled even more. It allowed 30.6 ppg and gave up 37 or more points five times. Even with the improved offense, the defense is going to have to be much better for this team to make a run in the MAC. This will be the second year in the 4-3 defense which is the perfect scheme for a team that is loaded at linebacker which Ohio is. The defensive line is big and experienced led by Shane Yates who was given a sixth year of eligibility. The secondary allowed a whopping 283.2 ypg last season but three starters are back along with Michael Hinton, a transfer from Virginia Tech who will make an immediate impact. The tough early season schedule will give the defense a chance to show that is has either gotten better or make for another long year.

Schedule - The schedule is not in the Bobcats favor, especially in September but things do get better as the season progresses. The opener against Tennessee-Martin will give Ohio some confidence before playing three straight on the road. The MAC opener is at Northern Illinois, the top team in the West Division, which is then followed by non-conference games at Rutgers and Missouri, two improved teams. The next two games are at home against Bowling Green and Western Michigan, two rebuilding teams and those two contests are going to be pivotal. Following a game at Illinois, three of the final five MAC games are on the road but two of those, at Kent St. and at Eastern Michigan are not tough and a victory in both are quite possible. Hosting Akron and then traveling to Miami in the final two weeks could decide the East.

You can bet on… The Bobcats are going to be improved on both sides of the ball but how much improvement is the real question. Everything is falling into place for this to be the year that the Bobcats turn the corner but Brian Knorr left the program in shambles and these are still his recruits, ones that are still questioned as to whether they have what it takes to win. The Bobcats started last year 1-5 against the number as they were hammered in four of those games. Ohio will be receiving some inviting points early on this year and it could keep some of those games close. Tennessee-Martin is a game to keep an eye on and even though it’s a 1-AA team, the outcome and production from that game will go a long way in figuring out how much this team has improved, if at all. Don’t be surprised to see the Bobcats make a run at it first MAC title since 1968.