2012-13 Football Previews – (MAC) – Ohio
The Ohio Bobcats won the first bowl game in the team’s history last year. It’s hard to imagine that this team hadn’t won a bowl game before, but Frank Solich really has things looking up at Ohio. The Bobcats were the class of the Mid-American Conference last year, and the oddsmakers have them listed as the favorite again this season.
MAC 2012-2013 College Football Previews: Ohio
Head Coach: Frank Solich
2011 Record: 10-4
Ohio Gambling Odds from JustBet to win BCS Championship: (Part of Field) +1,800
Ohio Gambling Odds from 5Dimes to win MAC: +325
Ohio Gambling Odds from 5Dimes to win MAC East : +140
Ohio Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2012 Schedule –>
Ohio still hasn’t won a MAC Conference title game, and that is something that this group is really going to be fighting hard for this year. After leading 20-0 over Northern Illinois last year, the Bobcats lost 23-20 on the final play of the game. Ohio still has plenty of motivation to get better. Can this ten win team from last year continue their successful ways?
Team Strengths:
Tyler Tettleton gives the Ohio Bobcats a terrific quarterback. Tettleton is probably the best player in the MAC right now. He threw for 3,306 yards and 28 touchdowns and rushed for 666 yards and 10 more touchdowns. Those are some really impressive numbers, and he has another year of experience under his belt so you have to expect big numbers in 2012. A dual-threat quarterback with such amazing ability is extremely tough to stop.
Frank Solich believes the Ohio defense could be the best it has been in his eight years at the school in 2012. Where does it start? It all starts with great defensive tackles. The Bobcats have three guys who are terrific at this spot. Carl Jones, Neal Hunyh, and Corey Hasting are all great run stuffers in the middle. Tremayne Scott gives the team an impressive pass rusher on the outside. This defensive front is very good.
The secondary is stacked with talent. This unit could well be one of the best in the nation, let alone the best in the MAC. Senior corner Travis Carrie is a terrific cover corner. Gerald Moore is a star at the safety spot, and he could be playing in the NFL in the future. Expect this group to be terrific. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Team Weaknesses:
Ohio has a great quarterback in Tettleton, but the weapons around him won’t be nearly as good as they were last season. The biggest problem will be at the wide receiver spot. Ohio had two stars at wideout last year, but both of them were fifth-year seniors. Donte Foster is the team’s only returning receiver, and he had just 30 catches a year ago. Ohio has to find someone for Tettleton to throw it to on the outside.
The linebacker spot is a bit of weakness now that star Noah Keller has graduated. He had 438 tackles and eight forced fumbles during his time on campus. The team will badly miss his ability in the middle of the defense.
2012-2013 Ohio Football Prediction: 10-3
Penn State will be first on the Bobcats schedule this season. The Nittany Lions are way down from before, but it will still be a nice test for Ohio. Don’t be shocked if Ohio wins that game. Inside the MAC, games at Miami (OH) and Kent State will likely be the biggest tests for this team. Ohio’s defense should be the best in the MAC, and they have the best quarterback in the league as well.
I think Ohio gets to double digit wins again this year. The best value here is probably Ohio to win the MAC East. It’s hard to imagine anyone else winning it in 2012. Look for big things from the Bobcats this year.
2012 Ohio Schedule
9/1/12 12:00 PM ET @PENST
9/8/12 7:00 PM ET NMXST
9/15/12 6:30 PM ET @MARSH
9/22/12 2:00 PM ET NORST
9/29/12 3:30 PM ET @MASS
10/6/12 12:00 PM ET BUFF
10/13/12 2:00 PM ET AKR
10/27/12 3:30 PM ET @MIAOH
11/1/12 6:00 PM ET EMICH
11/7/12 8:00 PM ET BGREN
11/14/12 8:00 PM ET @BALST
11/23/12 TBD @KENST
