2014
Ohio University
College Football
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Odds and Schedule
Ohio has made it to five straight bowl Games, but there’s no guarantee that will continue after losing top players at every offensive position, including quarterback Tyler Tettleton. The Bobcats return eight starters on defense, and that still might not be enough to hit six or seven wins.
There will be a few new faces on this offense and that includes the offensive line as well, after they struggled to find consistency for most of last year. The athletic Derrius Vick will probably be the starter at QB, but his arm leaves a lot to be desired and walk-on J.D. Sprague will compete with him for playing time. Daz’mond Patterson (211 yards) will move into the starting role at running back and should be just as lethal as Beau Blakenship was.
In the receiving Game Donte Foster (1,018 yards, 7 TDs) is gone, but Chase Cochran (689 yards) should fill in fine as the team’s top receiver. OUtside of him, there’s plenty of inexperience with LAndon and Sebastian Smith as other possible starters. With new faces all around, it’s hard to see this group being as good as the one’s led by Tettleton.
Even with a weaker offense, the defense should still be able to keep the Bobcats around in plenty of Games, especially in the MAC.
DE Tarell Basham recorded 7.5 sacks in five starts last year and is only a sophomore. Their front seven is deep with playmakers, but will need some improvement at linebacker from Ben Russell and Jovon Johnson. Devin Bass is a first-year starter, but is expected to be one of the best in the Conference at corner.
The immediate problem for this team will be the three straight road Games to start the season. While none of their opponents are over-the-top good, they will all be tough tasks for an offense that needs work.
The Bobcats get all of the tougher MAC teams at home in Bowling Green, Akron, Buffalo and Northern Illinois. That should lead to a couple wins against some of the better teams in the conference. On the road, the Bobcats get to play some of the worst MAC teams.
OUtside of those opening road Games, the Schedule is there for Ohio to make it to another bowl Game. Of course, if an inexperienced offense that hired a co-offensive coordinator in the offseason can’t get going, the stout defense may mean nothing in the end.
The Bobcats will compete, but it may be down to the quarterback to win Games for them.
Check out 5 dimes sportsbook for the latest MAC odds for the 2014 season.
2014 Ohio Football Schedule
Aug. 30 at Kent State
Sept. 6 at Kentucky
Sept. 13 at Marshall
Sept. 20 vs. Idaho
Sept. 27 vs. Eastern Illinois
Oct. 4 at Central Michigan
Oct. 11 vs. Bowling Green
Oct. 18 vs. Akron
Oct. 25 at Western Michigan
Nov. 5 vs. Buffalo
Nov. 18 vs. Northern Illinois
Nov. 25 at Miami (OH)