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2007 Ohio Bobcats Football Preview

Ohio Bobcats

2007 Ohio Football Overview

There is no clear cut favorite at the QB position as Brad Bower and Theo Scott will likely battle for the starting role right up to the season opener. While the Bobcats are a run first offense, OU still will needs to do better than their 2006 performance of 129-yards per game in pass offense, ranking 115 th nationally. Kalvin McRae may be the best RB in the league and became the first Ohio RB in 30 years to post back to back 1,000 seasons. He also led the team in receptions. McRae is well on his way to becoming Ohio’s all-time leading rusher. Chris Garrett is small (5-8, 175) but has big play potential at WR and is one of the league’s best return specialists. Ohio’s offensive line was the team’s strength last season and gave up only 20 QB sacks. In typical Frank Solich fashion, the O-line will be solid again even though there will be some new faces up front. Defensively Ohio ranked #23 in scoring defense and #29 in total defense, but returns just five starters. DT Landon Cohen has all conference capabilities. The challenge that awaits the OU defense is replacing a talented trio of LBs, most notably Matt Muncy, who was one of the leagues best tacklers over the past two seasons. Ohio ranked 18 th nationally in pass defense but return just two starters from that unit. CB Mark Parsons is one of the better cover corners in the MAC. Within the special teams area, Garrett is solid as a return specialist and Ohio gets a veteran place kicker in Michael Braunstein, a transfer from Washington who is eligible this season as a senior. With a favorable schedule and several talented players returning from last year’s east divisional championship season, Ohio has a real shot at returning to the MACC and earning their second straight bowl bid after a thirty-eight year hiatus.

Mark it Down!
Ohio will beat Wyoming at home on September 22. The Cowboys were 6-6 last season but lost four games by seven points or fewer including an impressive 17-10 loss to Boise State, the Fiesta Bowl winner. Wyoming has a real shot at earning their first bowl bid since 2004 so this could really be a feather in the Bobcats cap if they can pull out a win at Peden stadium. While Wyoming is not in a BCS conference, OU is the only MAC team to have beaten a BCS team each of the past three seasons.

2007 Ohio Football Schedule Analysis
The Bobcats have the most favorable schedule in the MAC this season. Non-conference games against Garner-Webb, UL-Lafayette and Wyoming provide the Bobcats with a rare shot at three OOC victories while the trip to Virginia Tech will not be fun. Cross over games are manageable against Eastern Michigan and Toledo. Within the east, Ohio hosts Kent State and Miami while traveling to Akron and BGSU.

Most Important Game
Hosting Kent State on September 29 – This may be for all of the marbles and considering Ohio does not play Akron or Miami until November, beating a top divisional contender early in the season is a must for the Bobcats to make a return trip to the MAC Football Championship Game this December.

2007 Ohio Bobcats Prediction - 8-4 Overall, 5-3 MAC, 4-2 MAC East

published 07.17.2007