I have heard some pre-season buzz about Ohio this year (Phil Steele has you as a surprise team if I am not mistaken).  I am sure that the schedule is part of it.  You miss NIU out of the West and your OOC games are all potentially winnable (even Rutgers).  You get Temple at home as well as your senior day against Miami(OH) in what I am sure you hope to be the game of the year on your schedule.  I had a couple questions though.

First, I read that you have retooled your offense.  How will your offense differ with Tyler Tettleton?  What are his strengths?  

Second, I am somewhat surprised to hear so much expectation for this year given what seems to be a defensive roster decimated by graduation.  Noah Keller is a top notch player, but what do you expect from the defense with so many new starters?  Strengths?  Weaknesses?  

Finally, I am sure Gardner-Webb will provide little resistance in game 2.  What are your expectations for the opener against New Mexico State?  I know nothing about them.  

Our secondary has the chance to be very, very good.

Even though a lot of the team is new, I really like our chances this year, and not just because of the apparently lame-o schedule (which may have just gotten tougher with Buffalo getting a pretty solid QB).  The QB position is strange: the better skilled QBs are untested and our more experienced QB is better suited for RB or wideout.  The line is solid, and the receiving corps is top-notch, especially with Lavon Brazill back.  The running game should also be improved from last year.  The D line will need to grow help at first, but should get it from an experienced LB corps.  The secondary should be very, very good with Moore, Carrie and the Leftwichs.  Special teams should be A+.  Because of some of the questions at QB and D line I'm predicting at least 8 wins, but 10-12 is likely.

The question mark is the d-line.  With the main concern being ability to get pressure on the qb.  Considering that we haven't had consistent qb pressure for time beyond memory and that there will be a lot of guys getting their first significant playing time on the d-line--well, it's a big question mark.

If we get d-line play, we will be mighty tough.

Given the losses to graduation, the rust on Brazill, Keller and Moore, the new offensive pace and a brand new QB...I think it would be reasonable to expect the group to start slow out of the gate. Those that are expecting 10+ wins are setting themselves up for a letdown.

This season is a bit of a rebuilding year made easier by an agreeable schedule and the return of a handful of former stars. It could go either way but I expect to see about 6-8 wins by our guys this year.

Though, a great season by Tyler/Kyle would change my expectations entirely. That is the key. We should not forget that we were a HOT MESS last season until Boo's arm started to feel better.

Holes that you could fit a NASA launching platform into? 

This team is loaded, not since 74' have I been so excited.

I think there's no doubt Ohio should be 2-0 going into the game, but I don't think any game can be taken for granted. It seems to me that on paper Ohio should have a slightly better team than Marshall this year, and with the game at home, I think the Bobcats should win this time. But Marshall definitely will be a challenge. It's hard to say how things play out. There are question marks for the Bobcats. If those things don't work out, and if things do work out for Marshall, it's  not out of the question that Marshall turns out to be the better team by far. Or it could turn out the other way around. But somewhere in between is the most likely scenario. I expect it to be a good game and a good crowd. I'm not going to suggest a sellout, but I think it will be without a doubt close to one and a sellout is a strong possibility.

I'll let others answer your other questions, however.

Pretty fair. I'd put OL and TE as ++. We didn't really lose anyone at all at those positions. We are adding guys. The scenario is great for those.

You could argue WR as even because of the losses of McCrae and Goulet.

Otherwise that breakdown is right on. I think talent-wise, this team might be slightly better than last year, and the schedule is more favorable. My guess is about 10 wins and a bowl game again, but unfortunately, not a MAC title. I hope I'm wrong on that part.

The defensive line clearly is the weak spot on this team, followed closely by the unsettled QB position. I have a deep concern that the D-line will get bullied against the run - especially early in the season - with teams finding ample running lanes until they hit the second wave of defense. A recent loss of a DE transfer from Indiana has not helped depth.

As for the QB spot, Phil Bates played some QB last year, although I believe 99.5% of Bobcat fans will be relieved if he is moved to the RB or WR position, as is anticipated. Based upon Solich's comments this spring, the primary QB will be Sophomore Tyler Tettleton or Redshirt Freshman Kyle Snyder. I would not be surprised if - yet again - Solich goes with a QB 'platoon' or alternated snaps between Tettleton and Snyder. ( Personally, I am hoping for once that Solich will pick a QB and stick with him, although I am not holding my breath.) Really, the QB position was arguably so-so last year if one looks at the entire season (the Ohio State game was a nightmare, with two QBs who couldn't throw 10 yards downfield). Boo Jackson had his moments, especially during the hot streak in MAC play, but if Tettleton and/or Snyder play within themselves with the coaching staff maintaining a shorter leash, perhaps the QB play will only slightly drop off, or even be on par with last year - keep in mind that Jackson did have 17 picks last season, and Bates was simply woeful in passing the ball. Hopefully, the coaches won't get too 'gimicky' utilizing Bates, as this oftentimes interrupts the flow of the offense, although there were times last year where Bates was used very effectively. Bates, however, seems to be prone to injury.

I think overall we are fine at RB - Ryan Boykin has good size and averaged over 5 yards a carry as a Redshirt Freshman last yr with the smaller - but shiftier - Donte Harden likely seeing some carries as well. The WR and TE positions are a strength. Much depth exists on the offensive line - arguably is the best in the MAC.

I wouldn't call the defensive backfield and LB position 'great' (see Troy Bowl game last season), but I think these spots will be fine. If both Moore and Keller come back 100% (you never know for sure) and stay healthy, the defense should be improved at these positions from last year. Currently, the DL position is a black hole.

And, as everyone has indicated, Ohio has a very soft schedule this year. All non-conference games are winnable, although Marshall and the away game at Rutgers will be tough. The opener at New Mexico State is a toss-up, as you never know what you are going to get with openers under Solich. The Aggie game may be tricky, due to the distance and inexperienced QBs. Once again, the last four games of the season are NOT played on Saturday.

Critically looking at the team, a 9 win season seems likely. Could be a win or so better or worse depending upon the QB play and how quickly the D-line forms.

L.C.    As usual you make a great deal of sense. Frank knows how to handle players. We finally have a real shot at having a QB as a starter for more than 1 or 2 years. Having some continuity in this position would be a real step forward for the program.



GO BOBCATS