Ohio hopes to carry the momentum from last season, when the Bobcats ended a four-game winning streak that was capped with a 41-21 victory over Georgia Southern in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. The Bobcats finished the season 10-2 and 6-2 in the MAC. It was the team’s second consecutive 10-win season and second consecutive bowl victory.
With the late-season surge, Ohio is optimistic about the 2024 season and hopes to compete in the MAC despite having to replace so many key players from the previous year. Others outside the program may not be as optimistic, as the Bobcats were picked to finish fifth in the preseason coaches poll.
Ohio’s odds to win the MAC are +1400 according to BetMGM.
Ohio’s overall Over/Under win odds are 6, with Over 6 being -105 and Under 6 being -115.
31.8. in Syracuse
9/7 against South Alabama
14.9. against Morgan State
September 21 in Kentucky
28.9. against Akron
10/12 in Central Michigan
19.10. in Miami (Ohio)
26.10. against Buffalo
6.11. at Kent State
11/13 against Eastern Michigan
20.11. in Toledo
11/29 vs Ball State
MAC competitions in bold
C Parker Titsworth
DE Bradley Weaver
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Graduate student Parker Navarro will be the starting quarterback after patiently waiting for his turn. Last year, he made his only start of the season in the bowl win over Georgia Southern. Navarro completed 11 of 16 passes for 120 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He also rushed for 71 yards on 15 carries. This is his third year at Ohio State after beginning his career at UCF.
Navarro has big shoes to fill, replacing Kurtis Rourke, who transferred to Indiana. Rourke started 33 games for Ohio, completing 66.3% of his passes for 7,651 yards and 50 touchdowns while rushing for 1,240 yards and 11 scores.
Head coach Tim Albin mentioned during the MAC’s media day that the strong running back group is one of the team’s strengths. Redshirt freshman Rickey Hunt Jr., who rushed for 134 yards and four touchdowns, is expected to play a larger role. Senior Anthony Tyus III, a transfer from Northwestern, should be another key running back.
In contrast, the receiving group is relatively inexperienced. Coleman Owen, a transfer from Northern Arizona where he was twice selected to the Big Sky second team, is considered one of the best receivers. Chase Hendricks, who started twice last year and received 11 passes for 108 yards, should play a more prominent role.
Center Parker Titsworth, who started 27 games over the past two seasons, is the leader of the offensive line.
The defense allowed just 15.6 points per game, which led the MAC and ranked sixth nationally. The unit should once again be strong, but will be a challenge to match last year’s performance.
Defensive end Bradley Weaver, who had 13 tackles for loss and six sacks in 12 appearances last season, leads the defensive line. Another key player will be defensive tackle CJ Doggette, who transfers from Cincinnati.
Linebacker Shay Taylor, who had 20 tackles last year, is expected to play a more important role this season.
One of the team’s leaders is safety Jeremiah Wood, who has been with the team for seven years. Last year he appeared in 10 games, starting five of them. He had 26 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, and one interception.
I predict Ohio will not win the MAC championship and will win six games.
The non-league schedule is difficult with road games at Syracuse and Kentucky and home games against South Alabama and Morgan State. Going 2-2 against this team will be difficult. Even if Ohio is 1-3 in non-league games, the Bobcats would have to go 5-3 in the MAC to get six wins.
Only two MAC opponents, Miami (Ohio) and Toledo, have a better chance of winning the MAC in the preseason than Ohio. The Bobcats could easily win 5-3 in league play.
The combination of a demanding non-league schedule and the integration of so many new players could signal a slow start for Ohio, but just like last season, the Bobcats should end up playing their best football.
There could be a decline on offense. Last year, the Bobcats had a turnover ratio of over 10, which ranked 10th in the country. With so many players at specialty positions, that will be difficult to repeat.
While Ohio won’t be a double-digit win team, it should still be a competitive team, even if that means taking a step back this season.
