Ohio Bobcats 2016 NCAA Football Preview
OHIO BOBCATS
MACtion – East Division
2015 Record – 8-5
ATS – 9-4
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
East Division #1
Conference #5
2015 Recap
If it were not for a three-week stretch in which they were incredibly banged up and lost by a combined 152-55 (!) the final stats and win-loss record would look quite a bit different. That sounds obvious, but they looked to be in fine shape at 5-1 and then poof. To their credit they won their final three games including a road win over Northern Illinois. They almost upset a very good Appalachian St team in the Camellia bowl and finished 8-5.
2016 Preview
OFFENSE
There is an intriguing battle going on at QB. JD Sprague is battling with a host of challengers including senior Greg Windham who MEGALOCKS MAC INSIDERS tell us is having a nice camp so far in August. Whatever happens, Ohio will most likely have a game manager at QB and sadly nothing too prolific.
The RB and WR units look very promising. They are very deep at RB with seemingly 12th year senior AJ Ouellette back for another season to go along with some promising backups. The top three receivers are also back which will help keep this offense balanced.
The offensive line has some good size but only returns two starters. It sounds like a broken record in our previews by now, but it is all going to hinge on how well the new unit molds together.
DEFENSE
We really like the look of the front seven, and overall, six of the top seven tacklers from the 2015 squad return for duty this year. The run defense should be very stingy but the secondary only returns one starter. If they can find a couple of decent DBs to go along with FS Toran Davis this defense is going to be pretty good.
SPECIAL TEAMS
This is a major concern for the Bobcats. They need to break in a new PK, punter and kick returner this season. They are going to miss the reliability of Jordan Yazdani when they need three points.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 7.0
MEGALOCKS says:
This team is the best in the division on paper. Yes, they have some question marks, but they look to have a much better defense and running game than Bowling Green. The secondary is a bit of a concern but their schedule is pretty clear of elite QBs.
Overall, we give the BOBCATS a 7.0 ATS Value Rating (Good) this season. It is an interesting September schedule because they look to have three gimmes and one unwinnable game at Tennessee. We like Solich quite a bit as a head coach and the Bobcats are sneaky good at home. They have only lost more than two games in Athens ONCE in the past ten seasons. We are not sure about laying the lumber in the first few weeks but think they will do damage once the MAC schedule starts.
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