Ohio Bobcats 2022 College Football Preview
July 2, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 3-9
ATS – 5-7
It was a painful journey without long-time HC Frank Solich as the Bobcats struggled to a 3-9 finish. That was their first losing season since 2008 (!) and it caught many people by surprise. There were a few CLOSE SHAVES in MAC play but it’s not ok to lose to Duquesne and Bowling Green in the same season. AMIRITE?
Let’s check in with the program and see how things are shaping up in year two of the Tim Albin experience.
Ohio Bobcats 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
Ohio posted a meager 22.6 PPG LY (#10 MAC) and struggled mightily thru the air (#108 FBS). QB Kurtis Rourke was decent LY (11-7 TD to INT, 327 rush) but he needs a better supporting cast around him. Things don’t look great in that regard given the departure of #1 RB De’Montre Tuggle (791, 7 TD) and four of their top-five in terms of receiving yards. The WR/RB/TE personnel groups look pretty sketchy to us but hopefully we’re wrong. We suppose it didn’t hurt to get a WR transfer from Vanderbilt (James Bostic) and RB Sieh Bangura has significant upside according to the coaching staff. Three starters return to an OL that features center Parker TITSWORTH. We don’t have high hopes for Ohio’s offense BUT will concede that there’s upside available to be harnessed. <grabs popcorn>
DEFENSE
The BOBS struggled on defense LY for the first time in a long while (#104 FBS total D, #106 run D, #91 pass efficiency D) but things look improved heading into 2022. The stop unit boasts nine returning starters and their top-four tacklers from the 2021 squad. They look particularly strong at LB given the return of #1 tackler Bryce Houston as well as TFL leader CANNON Blauser (9.5 TFL, 6 QBH). Everyone returns up front and they add a pair of Big Ten transfers which can’t hurt. Their weak link might be a secondary that performed poorly last year (#8 MAC pass efficiency D, 67%, 17-6 TD to INT) and they’ve gotta do better than 17 sacks (2nd worst MAC).
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Bobcats needs to find a new KR and PK but return punter Jonah Wieland who was decent LY (42.0, 38.4 net). Freshman PK Nathanial Vakos has the PEDIGREE to be a good one but time will tell.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – They’re gonna get SPLATTERED in two non-conference games (at Penn St, at Iowa St) but there’s a solid shot of winning the other two contests. The Bobcats miss Toledo from the West but have to play Miami Ohio and Kent St ON THE HIGHWAY.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing too spooky is noted.
Season Win Total
Per BetOnline July 2
Over 5 -115
Under 5 -115
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
Ohio should be able to bag four wins at home and come up with a win or two on the road. They’ll bring the effort and have to be motivated after last year’s debacle.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Ohio QB Armani Rogers set the FBS all-time record for longest TD run by a QB in last year’s 27-26 loss to Buffalo. Rogers took the snap from his own 1-yard line and scampered 99 yards. AND LOOK AT HIM GO!
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
This team doesn’t have the look of a division champ, but then again, the Bobcats play in the soft and squishy MAC East and not in the tough half of the conference. We expect them to play with a chip on their shoulder and be competitive in most of their games. We’ll call for six wins and bowl eligibility.
Want more Ohio football ?
WEBSITE
http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/index
FORUM
http://www.bobcatattack.com/messageboard/forum.asp?PID=6
NEWS
https://www.athensmessenger.com/sports/ohiouniversity/
https://www.bobcatattack.com/football/
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/195/ohio-bobcats