2010 Ohio Football Predictions

The Ohio Bobcats posted a 9-5 record last season that included winning seven of their eight MAC conference games.  They ended the 2009 season on a sour note by losing the conference championship game and following that up with a bowl loss to Marshall.  Head coach Frank Solich believes his returning players will use that as motivation to defend their East division title.  View the full conference breakdown in our 2010 MAC predictions article. 

A balanced attack was the name of the game for Ohio’s offense in 2009.  The offense averaged just 310 yards/game, but were +13 in turnover differential and still managed nearly 25 points/game.  The competition for the starting quarterback position will be heated after Theo Scott used up his eligibility.  Phil Bates is a dual threat QB that transferred in from Iowa State.  He was used mainly as a receiver in the Big 12, but will get a shot at quarterback in Solich’s system.  Boo Jackson played sparingly last season and completed 17 of 30 passes with one touchdown.  RB Vince Davidson is the top returning rusher with 260 yards gained last season.  Donte Harden would have saw action also in the backfield, but is suspended for the first six games in 2010.  The Bobcats add juco transfer Kenny Ashley to the mix and he has the talent to be a starter.  WR LaVon Brazill is the most explosive player on offense for Ohio.  The gifted senior was second on the team in receptions last year with 53 and averaged over 13 yards/catch.  His return skills make him a dangerous threat in the kicking game as Brazill returned three punts for touchdowns in 09’.   Terrence McCrae returns also and recorded a team high nine touchdown receptions.  Up front, seven of the top ten return for an offensive line that should be one of the best in the MAC.

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The defense was rock solid under Jimmy Burrow last season, especially against the pass.  A experienced secondary held opponents to 195 yards passing/game and intercepted 18 passes.  Three starters departed, however, making this one area of concern for the Bobcats.  Sophomore SS Gerald Moore is the one returning starter and led the team with six interceptions.  The defensive line brings nearly everyone back and should improve on the 154 yards rushing/game allowed last year.  The front four play a key role in allowing start LB Noah Keller to roam around and collect tackles in bunches.  Keller was a 1^st team All MAC selection a season ago with 155 tackles and seven that went for a loss.  Keller is the only returning linebacker, but they played quite a few different players at this position giving them more experience than one would initially think.  Special teams is led by K Matt Weller (1^st team all conference).  The sophomore hit 21-29 field in his first year of full time duty and had a long of 52 yards.  He seemingly got more accurate the longer the field goal attempt was. 

The Bobcats open their 2010 season with Wofford at home.  Conference play opens up the following week as in-state rival Toledo rolls into town.  Three straight road games will test this team early on and a trip to Ohio State Sept 18 ^th starts off the road trip.  Ohio could get off to a hot start in conference play with a manageable schedule early, but end on the road at Temple and Kent State.  Those two final games will likely decide the East division champion.  I believe Ohio finishes with an 8-4 record.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

• Mid-American Conference Football Predictions 2010
• Free Football Picks: Ohio State at Indiana
• Ohio State College Football 2010 Predictions
• 2010 Mid-American Football Predictions
• 2010 Ohio State Football Predictions

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