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2008 Ohio Bobcats Football Preview

Ohio's Strengths:

• TE Andrew Mooney has been a terrific addition since he transferred from New Mexico State. Mooney led the team in receptions last year and has all-conference honors awaiting him this season with continued development. David Carter and Zac Clark add solid depth to the TE position.
• SS Michael Mitchell leads a underrated defensive backfield that has talent, hitters and depth. OU ranked 2nd in the MAC in pass effieciency defense and 5th in passing yards allowed.

Ohio's Weaknesses:

• Who is going to run the ball this year in Athens? The Bobcats will be searching for a new identity after career rushing leader Kalvin McRae (4,398 yards) graduated. McRae was dependable and durable producing 21 games with 100 yards or more throughout his career.
• The defense needs to pick it up this season after ranking 81st in scoring defense and 74th in total defense last season. Gone from this year's schedule are offensively challenged teams like Gardner-Webb and UL-Lafayette and replaced with offensive machines like Central Michigan, Western Michigan along with a very physical Ohio State team. With the return of Ernie Hodge, All-MAC Jameson Hartke could have an even better 2008 campaign.

Ohio's Opportunities:

• There may be a lot of questions at quarterback but Ohio certainly has more athleticism at QB than last year. Theo Scott has the ability to make plays with his legs while JUCO transfer Boo Jackson threw for over 2,300 yards and 23 TDs at El Camino College in California. Scott, a former JUCO, is quickly becoming a dual-threat signal caller.
• A year ago the injury bug struck the OU offensive line hard as the Bobcats were forced to start 13 different players throughout the season. The 2008 squad will now realize the benefits of playing so many people last fall as a lot of depth was developed. The O-line will be better this fall.
• Look for LB and Nebraska native Noah Keller to have a breakout season.

Ohio's Threats:

• A major concern in close games will be placekicking. For OU, this area went from the most reliable position on the team to the area of most uncertainty. PK Michael Braunstein hit a school record 20 field goals in 2007 and all 38 PATs. True freshman Matthew Weller takes over those duties this fall.
• OU will play six of their first eight games on the road. Before hosting Buffalo on October 28 (just their third home game of the season at that point), the Bobcats will have already traveled to Wyoming, Ohio State, Northwestern, Western Michigan, Temple and Kent State.

The Big Game(s) for Ohio in 2008:

The non-conference game to open the season at Wyoming on August 30th is big since the Bobcats blew this game a year ago in Athens and lost 34-33. This is a winnable non-conference game for OU. The really big game though will be October 11th at Kent State. A win over the improved Golden Flashes would go along way for the Bobcats with this being the first of six straight divisional games.

Final Analysis of the 2008 Bobcats:

This looks to be a transitional year for Ohio football after last season's disappointing 6-6 record. The 2007 team certainly did underachieve with close losses to Wyoming, Kent State and Toledo. All of those contests should have been victories. Beating rival Miami in the final game of the season should have been the kicker into the MAC Championship Game with a 9-3 record instead of a .500 effort. This year there is uncertainly at several key positions. The Bobcats also got a bad draw of MAC West teams playing both Central and Western Michigan. Now toss in the fact that East division rivals Temple, Kent State and Buffalo will each be improved and it will be difficult for Ohio to finish with a 6-6 record this year as this publication sees Ohio struggling to be in the middle of the East Division pack.

By Nick Gerogosian
published 07.07.2008