In the 2011 edition of Phil Steele he has Ohio listed as MAC East Champions (3rd time in 6 years), #34 nationally, and a candidate for a double digit win season. We are listed as #6 among non-BCS schools behind Boise St, TCU, Southern Miss., Houston, and BYU. The recruiting class was ranked #3 in the MAC. Its quite obvious the program is gaining speed ranked so high up there even when unproven at QB. Its taken Frank a number of years to get there but gradually Ohio has become one of the best overall MAC programs. It started with Solich and budget improvements. Then the program was racking up wins and depth. Now its really coming down to a talent edge against MAC foes with the #32 rated offensive line in the country (just behind WVU #29 and Va Tech #30). I think its safe to say that Ohio is ready to upgrade the schedule and has to if it wants to advance the program further. There should be at least 1 major Big Ten team on the schedule every year, then another game against a good mid major like Navy, Fresno, or Troy. Games against Rutgers and New Mexico State aren't getting the program anywhere. The program has to start viewing itself as to where it stacks up nationally, not just where it stacks up in the MAC. Its time to become a legit BCS bowl contender while Ohio State surrender's its position as a regular BCS bowl participant.     

I'd like to see Ohio schedule some C-USA competition besides Marshall.  I have entirely selfish motives in this regard as I now live in the Houston area and would love to go see my beloved Bobcats against the Cougars.

I broke down and bought the Phil Steele pub (man that thing is expensive). Some good things about Ohio already mentioned like the #32 ranking for Offensive Line. It also listed Ohio as having the #4 best Special Teams.

However, Steele's #34 overall ranking for Ohio was tempered a bit. He explained that Ohio got that ranking because of their relatively easy schedule, and as a result, he predicts Ohio will climb that high in the polls. On the other hand, he personally ranked Ohio as the #90 team in the nation. 

Miami's rankings were a bit surprising. I don't have the mag in front of me now, but they were listed in the top classes of at least 4 or 6 units, and had several players named for individual positions--probably the highest total for the MAC.

I had a dream last night that we lost to Gardner-Webb 73-70 in overtime. Chase Cochran was going in for the winning touchdown when a G-W defender knocked the ball out of his hands at the 1 yard line.  Then in overtime, we had the G-W quarterback (who was a 350 lb. Samoan...no idea where that came from) on 4th down when he threw a miracle pass to set up the game winning field goal.

I think I am officially paranoid about this season.

He says the well pbulicized player suspensions and yet to come NCAA punishment of HC Tressel makes it a close race but he does have Ohio State making the first Big Ten title game. Phil Steele: "It is early May while I'm writing this and I'm not sure what additional actions the NCAA will take (hearing in Aug). If the penalties are minimal for this season they have a great shot at a 7th straight Big Ten Title."