Athlon doesn't think to highly of the bobcats.  I have the Magazine (Also just got Phil Steele, highly recommend it), and it has Ohio going 1-3 non-conference.  Im assuming with our lone win being G-W.  It has NMSU only win of the year and Marshalls only non conference win coming against the Bobcats.  I'd be extremely disappointed with a 1-3 non-conference record to start out the season.

It's interesting that when CFN took a hard look, they said Ohio has the potential to be great, but in their first quick glance, they didn't like them at all, rating them at #95:
http://cfn.scout.com/2/1040172.html
The reason is probably that when you just take a quick glance, the number of returning starters is low, particularly on defense, and in the offensive skill positions. When you look a little harder you find that the list of returning starters does not include three guys that were not only starters in 2009, but some of the best players on the team, in Brazill, Moore, and Keller. You also find that guys like Curtis Meyers that was a starter in 2008, Carl Jones with extensive playing time, Donte Harden who was a starter prior to being injured, plus some incoming potential difference makers, like transfers who sat out last year, Prior and Kozak, and Jucos like Denton.

As you read these reports, you can tell who did their homework, and who didn't. Ohio now has the depth that they didn't have a few years ago, and they getting to where they "reload, not rebuild". Who would have thought that last year, after losing Brazill, Moore, and Keller, they could still go 8-5 and get to a bowl? Barring massive injuries this year or serious off-the-field issues, it should be a very good year.

I'm worried about QB. If Bates, Tettleton, and Snyder can come together and form one complete QB unit, this should be a special season.

NMSU is absolutely horrid! They have subpar talent, and will be overmatched against the Cats!

I agree Jim.

After a lousy start last year it was tough to get back into a winning mode.

Look for us to win by 20.

If we don't, not a good sign..could be a long season.

NMSU is listed by many so-called experts as the very worst FBS team in the nation.  Though I usually don't go out on a limb in this type of early non-conference game, I agree with Monroe.  Ohio can name the score in this one, as will be the case with the Web-based Gardening School.  The other two non-conference games will be very competitive, but I believe Ohio can win both.  3-1 is the worst I see for an Ohio start this year, but I'm expecting 4-0.  We have Marshall at home, and Rutgers is listed by some as the worst BCS team in the nation.  Worst FBS team, worst BCS team, a mediocre FCS team and a rebounding but not there yet there Marshall.  This is not exactly a murder's row of the type Gordon Gee talks about.  We could be playing real powerhouses like NW, Indiana and Youngstown State.  

NMSU does have a lot of issues, but Ohio hasn't been a good road team outside of the MAC.  In the case of Rutgers, they are not the worst BCS team.  They 4-2 until their player went down (paralyzed) and they went 0-6 after that.  Mentally they were shot even though 3 of the last 6 losses were by 3 points or less.  Expect them to bounce back.  Marshall is not the same program it was 10 years ago, but they are still dangerous.  Not to take anything away from Ohio, but the Bobcats have issues of their own that might undue their season.  The defense has way too many starters to replace and even though Ohio has skill players on offense, a lot of them don't have a ton of experience.  Early in the season they might get exposed and that's when Ohio plays most of their non conference games.

Well, according to at least one poll I saw (was it the Orlando Sentinel one?  Not sure) Rutgers was definitely the lowest ranked BCS team.  In this same ranking, whichever one it was, Ohio was a number of places better than Rutgers, as were four or five other MAC schools.  Rutgers will be tough at home, but it's not like we are taking on the Evil Empire in Cowtown.

I wouldn't put too much stock in some of the pre-season polls.  Orlando Sentinel has Rutgers listed at 107.  Meanwhile, Athlon Sports has Rutgers at 71 as well as most others in the same range.  Most just repeat either what was reported by someone else or base things off of what happened last year.

I hope your predictions of a easy win are accurate. I go through Las Cruces  several times a year and usually stop for awhile. NMSU and their die hard fans are sick of being a doormat and will be undefeated, so their team will be in a "win the first game at all cost" mentality.
That said, I was at the Wyoming game, which we should have won and I was at the North Texas game, which was a real barn burner. The Bobcats seem to be slow starters when they head out west, maybe the new quick snap schemes will change that.
Also, I am planning to drive down to NMSU and hope to see some of you there!

I don't think we can be dismissive of NMSU. I don't know anything about them, but something tells me it'll be a fight. Are some of you forgetting our history? We're not in position to write anyone off.