Ohio starts the 2017 NCAA College Football season as the defending MAC East champion. There is no reason to believe that they won’t be in the mix again. The defending East Division champions bring back six starters on offense. Look for the Bobcats to lean on the running game with some uncertainty at the signal-caller and wide out positions.
The Ohio defense was formidable in 2016. In fact, the unit finished their season ranked fifth nationally against the run. Unfortunately, the Bobcats will have to replace the skills of the MAC’s best defender. Never fear, two of the best linebackers return to solidify the middle of the field. The secondary is chalk full of experience too.
The Ohio Bobcats have been a consistent winner and contender under head coach Frank Solich and that should be no different in 2017. Despite their success, Solich and his Ohio Bobcats are many times overlooked. That won’t be the case this year. If the offense can step-up and help out the defense, it shouldn’t matter who in the MAC conference sees them coming.
Offense
Ohio will hand over the keys to the offense to young quarterback Quinton Maxwell. The talented youth showed a lot of potential while under center as a freshman in 2016. As to be expected, his mistakes finally outweighed his explosiveness. As a result, it cost the Bobcats in the conference championship game and their Bowl.
In seven of Ohio’s last last eight starts, Quinton Maxwell accumulated over 1,200 yards with eight touchdown tosses and four interceptions. He also added another 200 yards to the Bobcats rushing attack.
Maxwell has good size, a strong arm and should continue to bolster the running game. While these attributes can only help him to succeed, Frank Solich will not tolerate the inconsistency.
The Ohio ground game will be the staple of their offensive diet in 2017. Junior running back A.J. Ouellette is back after missing 2016 with a foot injury. A healthy Ouellette is huge for the Bobcats. He led the team in rushing in 2014 and once again in 2015.
If some rust has gathered on the bruising runner, Senior Dorian Brown (825 yards in 2016) will be there to add some pop to the back field. In the absence of Ouellette, Maxwell had a breakthrough 2016 campaign. Junior Maleek Irons will return to the fold as well. All three will get to run behind three returning starters on the offensive line, including All-MAC center Jake Pruehs.
The Bobcats’ biggest weakness rests in the receiving corps. Three of Ohio’s top four receiving options have graduated. That means Quinton Maxwell no longer big-time producers Jordan Reid and Sebastian Smith. Last season, the two combined for 113 receptions, 10 touchdowns and over 1,500 yards.
If Ohio wants to become a balanced offense once again, the team’s young group of wide outs needs to step up. the leader of this youth movement is converted running back Papi White.
Papi White showed flashes of brilliance in 2016. The undersized player recorded 46 catches for over 650 yards and six trips to the promised land. Also, sophomore Elijah Ball and red-shirt freshman Cam Odom need to compete immediately for Frank Solich’s offense.
Defense
Ohio leaned on a their stout front seven last year to help out a young secondary. The Bobcat’s unit was fifth against the run nationally and piled up a program-record 44 sacks. Unfortunately, four starters departed, including MAC Defensive Player of the Year Tarell Basham at defensive end.
The Bobcats have a chance to still be solid up front. Ohio will field seven seniors in the front seven. Two of the centerpieces will be standout linebackers Quentin Poling and Chad Moore.
The inexperienced secondary of a year ago now has some considerable playing time to lean on. Ohio returns five players who started games at corner back last year. At safety, sophomore Javon Hagan returns to keep opposing teams honest over the middle.
Prediction
It will be no surprise to me to see the Bobcats in the mix again for a MAC East title. Furthermore, I’d be shocked if they played themselves out of a decent bowl bid with the talent they will put on the field in 2017. Then again, that’s par for the course throughout Frank Solich’s 12-year term.
The defense will remain a force and should keep Ohio in most games. Obviously, the running game will improve with a healthy A.J. Ouellette and Senior Dorian Brown taking hand-offs.
Nevertheless, the Bobcats need to find a way to spice up the passing game to get to 10 wins and to another MAC Championship finale. With a young quarterback and unproven receivers, it wont be that easy.
Las Vegas has the Ohio Bobcats at a team win total of 7.5. I love the low number, but the problem is you have to pay for it at -150. Odds makers also have them at 13 to 2 (+650) to win the MAC Conference. In my opinion this is just as playable as the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks with the same line. The two teams will square-off on Halloween this season in a game that could decide who has the right to play for the conference title.
Schedule
9-2 vs. Hampton
9-8 @ Purdue
9-16 vs. Kansas
9-23 @ Eastern Michigan
9-30 @ UMass
10-7 vs. Central Michigan
10-14 @ Bowling Green
10-21 vs. Kent State
10-31 vs. Miami (Ohio)
11-8 vs. Toledo
11-14 @ Akron
11-24 @ Buffalo
The getmoresports.com NCAA College Football Throwdown Podcast will be returning to the air on August 24th. We will be highlighting the first five games on August 26th of the 2017 NCAA College Football season. That will be the first of three installments leading into the first week of the season. We also we will be covering our expectations for the Heisman Trophy front runners as well as predictions for conference winners and team totals.
Our second NCAA College Football Throwdown is penciled in for August 29th. In that installment, we will discussing all the games that will be played on August 31st and the 1st of September.
Our third segment will officially be airing on August 31st. In this addition of the NCAA College Football Throwdown, we will be covering all the relevant games for Sept 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
Keeping with tradition, EJ the Rainmaker and Erik the Hun will give their predictions for the contests. On top of that, we will be providing our dog play of the podcast as well as cash money plays for the week. Join us for all three opening episodes and improve your college football knowledge while increasing the size of your sports book betting account. Come join us and help everyone make it rain. #moneytreesgrow
