Sat, Sep 2 vs Hampton W
Fri, Sep 8 @ Purdue L
Sat, Sep 16 vs Kansas W
Sat, Sep 23 @ Eastern Michigan W
Sat, Sep 30 @ UMass W
Sat, Oct 7 vs Central Michigan L
Sat, Oct 14 @ Bowling Green W
Sat, Oct 21 vs Kent State W
Tue, Oct 31 vs Miami OH W
Wed, Nov 8 vs Toledo L
Tue, Nov 14 @ Akron L
Fri, Nov 24 @ Buffalo W

Record: 8-4 (5-3)
Conference Championship Appearance? No
Conference Championship? No
Bowl Game: Potato Bowl L

A friend who let’s call FollowTheMoney asked me to post this prediction:

The “who wins this MacEast” poll has 48 votes. 39 for Ohio 81% and 7 for Miami 15%. At a quick tally, of the 27 predictions in the Season Prediction thread, 13 have us at less than 4 losses in the 12 game regular season, 17 have us in the MAC title game, and 9 have us winning the title.

I wonder what Las Vegas says.

This coaching staff has never loss less than 4 games in a full season (includes post-season) in its 13 years and never won the title. The defense lost two guys drafted by the NFL and lost mainstays Sayles and Laseak. Poling, Hagan, and Aloese are good. Offense has a couple new starters on the line, only one receiver returning with more than 19 catches (and losses of Smith and Reid), and nothing proven at quarterback.

Solich seemed to admit the lack of depth at line on both sides of the ball. Anything keeping Aloese from playing would be a big blow as he seems our most valuable player at this point.

We are predictable. An opposing defense coordinator would have to play our qb to run, making qb injury a too real possibility as many noted recently.

Miami seems legit. Their qb has almost video game numbers (completion percent, td’s, int’s)

Purdue’s coach was 8-5, then 12-2, then 10-3. Won 2014 bowl game over CMU. Won 2015 and 2016 bowl games. SI noted that he had 5 graduate transfers in Purdue’s spring ball.

What’s Las Vegas predict for Ohio? A good number of people here have a lot of confidence in the recruits who haven’t played much for us yet. Maybe but that’s unproven and we seem to have that confidence every year but rarely see guys who are clearly All-MAC level. Even last year with a bunch of All-MAC, we were only 8-6.

The total confidence in our tight ends? Haven’t see any play from our TEs for a few years (post Jordan Thompson) that is above very unexceptional.

Let’s bet.

If we lose less than four games this year (all games), I’ll donate $100 to the department of your choice at OU. If we lose four or more games, you make a donation to the department of my choice. If you are game, post it in reply here.
6-6 regular season

Bowl game because it’s physically impossible to win six games (hello mighty Hampton!) and not make a bowl.

No MAC title game. Bowl loss.

In other words, I’m betting chalk on any reasonable view of OU football given the achieved.

Wins: Hampton, UMass, Akron, Kent, Buffalo.

Losses: Purdue, Kansas, EMU, CMU, BG, Miami, Toledo

That’s 5-7 but the large enthusiasm here for our recruits of the last few years make me think that we can do better. But I’m doubtful that the question marks of losses on defense and unproven on o-line, receiver and qb will mostly fall in our favor.

If this is correct will there be calls for enough is enough or will the usual thank goodness it’s not the pits anymore and let’s not try a new coaching staff because they could be worse than this staff’s run of dull results prevail?

Sat, Sep 2 vs Hampton W
Fri, Sep 8 @ Purdue L
Sat, Sep 16 vs Kansas L
Sat, Sep 23 @ Eastern Michigan W
Sat, Sep 30 @ UMass L
Sat, Oct 7 vs Central Michigan W
Sat, Oct 14 @ Bowling Green L
Sat, Oct 21 vs Kent State W
Tue, Oct 31 vs Miami OH W
Wed, Nov 8 vs Toledo L
Tue, Nov 14 @ Akron W
Fri, Nov 24 @ Buffalo L

Record: 6-6 (5-3)
Conference Championship Appearance? No
Conference Championship? No
Bowl Game: Yawn

New Goal:

Do whatever it takes for the Bobcats to play in this year's Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl!

Yes, that's a real bowl this year. I believe it was the previously named St. Petersburg Bowl.

If your mysterious poster is correct in his prediction, I will humbly join his crusade. I will offer my services, such as they are, and carry his shield and brush the burs from his noble steeds main and tail. Let it be known...

Why not?

Hampton W
Purdue W
Kansas W
Eastern Michigan W
UMass W
Central Michigan W
Bowling Green W
Kent State W
Miami W
Toledo W
Akron W
Buffalo W

Record: 10-0 (8-0)
Conference Championship Appearance? Y
Conference Championship? Y
Bowl Game? Y Bowl Game Win? N (Strong season pits us against a strong P5. We lose)

Season Record: 13-1

I don't think LC's mysterious friend is giving our lines on either side of the ball enough credit.

When you look at total snaps played we've essentially got a full set of starters returning on both sides of the ball. Defensively, we lost the explosiveness of guys (such as Basham) but the starters we do have are proven as reliable contributers.

I feel even better about our offensive line. We've got a couple guys who already have multiple years of starting experience.

Injuries on either side would hurt, but every team in the nation can say the same. Injuries in past years are the reason we have so many starters this year with quality experience despite losing guys to graduation. Of any of our recruits, I'm confident our young lineman can contribute when called upon.

Better get this on the record before it's too late....

Sat, Sep 2 vs Hampton W
Fri, Sep 8 @ Purdue L
Sat, Sep 16 vs Kansas W
Sat, Sep 23 @ Eastern Michigan L
Sat, Sep 30 @ UMass W
Sat, Oct 7 vs Central Michigan W
Sat, Oct 14 @ Bowling Green W
Sat, Oct 21 vs Kent State W
Tue, Oct 31 vs Miami OH W
Wed, Nov 8 vs Toledo L
Tue, Nov 14 @ Akron W
Fri, Nov 24 @ Buffalo W

Record: 9-3
Conference Championship Appearance? Yes
Conference Championship? No
Bowl Game: Hopefully a bowl we've not attended against a P5 opponent.

This thread should be pinned, so that the guilty (probably me) can't hide under a chair.

I figured if I picked this a win - I better get up there to support the team. Whew - It was Brutal hot - tough game - But we won - glad I was there! Fun to start up the Victory "OU - Oh Yeah" chant after the win! The handful of us put up some noise!

*Nods in agreement*

bump . . . time to look and see who is the most accurate . . . it's not me!