College Football Predictions – Ohio Bobcats 2020 College Football Preview
August 2020
October 2020 update – Scheduling notes updated. Double check your rosters for opt-outs.
2019 Recap
Record – 7-6
ATS – 4-9
Oh, boy. Not again.
Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but the Bobcats failed to meet expectations. They were preseason favorites to take down the MAC East but lost three MAC home games en route to a disappointing seven-win campaign. They had a chance to take a MASSIVE stranglehold on the division when they faced Miami Ohio in early November but fell by a FG in a tough loss on their home turf. They ended the year with a solid win over Nevada in the Idaho Potato Bowl (W 30-21).
There’s still talent on hand. Is this the year that HC Frank Solich finally bags that elusive MAC Championship?
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
East Division – TBD
MAC – TBD
Ohio Bobcats 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Bobcats ROCKED AND ROLLED on offense as expected last year and finished the year as the #2 scoring offense and #3 total offense in the MAC. That was with their excellent QB Nathan Rourke leading the way (20 TD passes, 13 rushing TDs) and he’s sadly run out of eligibility. There’s going to be a yuuuuge dropoff in experience (and almost certainly performance as well) at the QB position as the two legitimate contenders for the starting gig are both freshmen. We’ll keep tabs on the situation. Whomever is under center when the season begins will be glad to know that the top-three targets in the THROW GAME are back in the mix. Isiah Cox and Shane Hooks were the top two WRs LY and they averaged 17.0 and 19.8 YPC respectively LY. TE Ryan Luehrman tied for the team lead in TDs LY (5) whilst bagging 28 receptions and is back for duty. The best news comes at RB where the top-two (O’Shaan Allison, De’Montre Tuggle) return for battle and note that they combined for over 1,500 rushing yards and 17 (!) TDs a season ago. Three starters return up front including senior center Brett Kitrell.
The Bobcats’ offense has moved like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE over the past three years but we expect a significant decrease in production in 2020.
DEFENSE
The stop unit was steady as per usual LY and ended the campaign ranked #3 in the MAC in scoring defense and #5 in total defense. The run D was sound strong (#3) and the pass D was acceptable, but only able to bag 5 INTs (2nd fewest in MAC). Nine starters return and form a solid foundation. Three starters are back up front including DE Austin Conrad who led the team in sacks LY (4) and DE Will Evans who was #1 in TFL. The starting LB unit returns intact and boasts the #2 and #3 tacklers from a season ago (Dylan Conner, Jared Dorsa). They’re sure to miss safety Javon Hagan in the secondary but return their pair of starting CBs.
This has the look of an above-average MAC defense. Hopefully they can find a way to force more turnovers (15, #T8 MAC LY).
SPECIAL TEAMS
RUH ROH.
This goes from a team strength to a major question mark in the BLINK OF AN EYE. They need to replace their outstanding PK/P combo (Louie Zervos, Michael Farkas) and it’ll be up to freshmen to do the job. They also need to replace their fine KR DL Knock.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – They draw a nasty game in crossover play (week one – at C Michigan) and also have trips to Miami and Kent St.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Bowling Green (November 28)
They’ll be laying a bunch of points and it’s a tough sandwich spot between games with Miami and Buffalo.
Season Win Total
TBD
MEGALOCKS says:
TBD
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The Bobcats have put together an impressive string of 11 consecutive seasons with a .500 or better record.
Ohio has won three consecutive bowl games after losing three of those bad boys in a row.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
Did Ohio miss their window? It’s hard to say. The program is a model of consistency but the division is now a lot more competitive. The offense is going to miss their star QB who was one of the best in Bobcat history and won’t be as potent. The defense will be its usual solid self. We’ll call for a bowl appearance but no division title.
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