Ohio Bobcats 2023 College Football Preview
June 19, 2023
2022 Recap
Record – 10-4
ATS – 9-3-1 (vs FBS)
Yes, guy.
The Bobcats didn’t get off to a good start as they lost a pair of tough road games (Penn St, Iowa St), slithered past something called Fordham, and then lost to Kent St. Thankfully for Bobcats fans and MEGALOCKS FUTURES CLUB MEMBERS, Ohio ended the regular season by winning their final seven (!) games to become MAC East champs. They played with their back-up QB in the MAC Championship Game and we’re defeated by the Toledo Rockets (L 17-7). That was a 90,000 star MEGALOCKS DEATH BOOSTER MYOCARDITIS SPECIAL loser. Ohio took down Wyoming in the Arizona Bowl (W 30-27, OT) to register their first 10-win campaign since 2011.
Ohio Bobcats 2023 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Bobcats were a FORCE when MAC OPOY QB Kurtis Rourke was under center (#2 MAC passing offense, #1 passing efficiency) as he put up fantastic numbers before getting injured late in the season (3,256, 25-4 TD to INT, 69%, 9.2 YPA). Backup QB C.J. Harris did a good job in relief but it’s most certainly Rourke that gives them a shot to win a MAC Championship. Rourke is back and he’ll be glad to know that the WR group is loaded with the return of three of the top-four including the reliable and uncoverable Sam Wiglusz (73, 877, 11 TD). Ohio is deep at RB and feature one of the conference’s best runners in 1,000-yard man Sieh Bangura who did a great job as a freshman LY. Ohio doesn’t have an elite OL but it’s got enough experience and talent to keep the offense productive.
DEFENSE
The Bobcats managed to win the East division with a leaky stop unit (#11 MAC total defense) but they were decent vs the run (#3) and did a good job of creating turnovers (25, #2). They’ve taken a hit up front this year as they only return one starter on the DL and that group loses two of their top-three sack men (Caesar and McCrory combined for 9.5). The rest of the story is good news as they feature what might be the best 1-2 LB combo in the MAC in Keye Thompson and Bryce Houston who provide leadership and tackles by the BUSHEL. They’re also loaded at CB, and in the secondary in general. We expect Ohio to be weaker vs the run but much better vs the pass in 2023 (#9 pass efficiency D LY).
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Bobcats were disheartened by the transfer of PK Nathanial Vakos (22-27 FG, 49-50 XP LY) and it’s impossible to know what to expect in the FG department. Jack Wilson will handle the punting duties once again but he was mediocre in 2022 (37.4; Ohio #126 FBS net punting). They could use some spice in the return game.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – They have a few tough ones in non-conference play (at San Diego St, Iowa St, at FAU) but the MAC schedule is favorable. They start with a pair of TOMATO CANS (at Bowling Green, Kent St) and miss Toledo from the West. Also note that they don’t have a face back-to-back road games. (!)
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Western Michigan (Oct 21)
This could be a lookahead spot with the yuuuge home game with Miami Ohio on deck. It’s possible that Ohio could be 3-0 in conference play at this point and feeling cocky. Don’t think we’ll wanna lay points with the home favorite in this spot.
Season Win Total
Market consensus June 19 <wide range of prices are available>
Over 7.5 -130
Under 7.5 -110
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
It won’t be easy to get to eight wins but that’s clearly the logical choice give how much talent they have on offense.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
Nathan Rourke, older brother of Kurtis, was a superstar at Ohio and one of our favorite MAC players of all-time. He ended his career as the program’s #2 passer (7,457, 60-20 TD to INT) and tallied an impossible 49 rushing TDs whilst averaging 6.2 YPC. The Rourke brothers hail from Oakville, Ontario, Canada, hometown of young MEGALOCKS. If you have a chance, take the family to Oakville and treat them to a guided-tour of the MEGALOCKS HOMESTEAD. Canada can be a wonderful place when the government isn’t poisoning the citizens, trampling them with horses, freezing their bank accounts, and trying to convince everyone to commit suicide via the now world-famous government-funded assisted dying program. #CanadaStrong
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
You have to consider the Bobcats as the favorite in the MAC East. Sure, they have some holes, but this is MACtion and you can’t have everything. The offense will be devastating and the defense will be able to do just enough to keep them in the hunt all season long. Just keep in mind that the last MAC East team to get to the title game in back-to-back years was Bowling Green (2013-2015). In any event, LET’S GO FIGHTING ROURKES!