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Can Ohio football be a serious MAC contender in 2022?

By Dante Pryor

Dec 19, 2018; Frisco, TX, United States; Ohio Bobcats head coach Frank Solich and running back Jake Neatherton (27) celebrate winning the game against the San Diego State Aztecs in the 2018 Frisco Bowl at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2018; Frisco, TX, United States; Ohio Bobcats head coach Frank Solich and running back Jake Neatherton (27) celebrate winning the game against the San Diego State Aztecs in the 2018 Frisco Bowl at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ohio Bobcats running back Maleek Irons (21) makes a carry around the outside in the first quarter of the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Ohio Bobcats at Nippert Stadium on the University of Cincinnati campus in Cincinnati on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The Bobcats led 24-7 at halftime.Ohio Bobcats At Cincinnati Bearcats-
Ohio Bobcats running back Maleek Irons (21) makes a carry around the outside in the first quarter of the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Ohio Bobcats at Nippert Stadium on the University of Cincinnati campus in Cincinnati on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The Bobcats led 24-7 at halftime.Ohio Bobcats At Cincinnati Bearcats- /

The Bobcats get no breaks in their non-conference schedule

The schedule does the Bobcats no favors. First, Ohio gets three challenging non-conference games with Florida Atlantic, Penn State, and Iowa State to open the season. Fordham is the only winnable non-conference game on its schedule. They also got last season’s conference champs in the crossover, but no team in the MAC West had a losing conference record.

The Bobcats could look improved and still have a losing record this fall.

  • Game 1: Florida Atlantic (L) — Head coach Willie Taggart has the Owls as one of the best teams in Conference USA. FAU should win this game.
  • Game 2: at Penn State (L) — The first of two paycheck games for the Bobcats, enjoy an afternoon in the Valley.
  • Game 3: at Iowa State (L) — The second of two paycheck games for the Bobcats. They might be able to keep this one close for a half with the Cyclones having so much offensive turnover.
  • Game 4: Fordham (W) — The Bobcats win their first game of the season here. The Rams put forth lots of effort, though.
  • Game 5: at Kent State (L) — The Golden Flashes are still the class of the east. Ohio loses this one late, however.
  • Game 6: Akron (W) — The Zips are better with new head coach Joe Moorehead but fall to their in-state rival.
  • Game 7: Northern Illinois (L) — Huskies win big if the Bobcats still struggle against the run. If the Bobcats run defense improves, they still lose.
  • Game 9: Buffalo (W) — The Bulls are looking for answers after the departure of Lance Leipold. Ohio should win this game.
  • Game 10: at Miami (OH) (W) — This is a toss-up for the Bobcats. The Redhawks won by two points at home last season. If Rourke plays well, Ohio can win this game.
  • Game 11: at Ball State (W) — This is another toss-up for the Bobcats. The Cardinals are breaking in a new quarterback, which should give Ohio a slight advantage in this one.
  • Game 12: Bowling Green (W) — The Bobcats turned the football over thrice in this game last season. Bobcats play better pass defense and get their win back and bowl eligibility in the season finale.

Prediction: 6-6 (5-3 MAC)

The Bobcats have a formula, and they will execute it this season. Bowling Green, Ball State, and Miami (OH) are toss-up games they could win if things break right. If the secondary rounds into form and they play better against the run, Ohio could find a way to a bowl game.

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