At a minimum a MAC East title is warranted, there should also be a moderate expectation of a MAC title and/or Bowl game win.  But unlike others I am not going to be picky, we need to build a consistent program and winning at least a share of the MAC East should be the consistent borderline goal.  And doing that 3 years in a row would show that, the other two games are indicators for making the next step, which at the very least needs to happen after next season, though I kinda hope at least one of those two barriers we will finally breach next year.  

Part of my reasoning also for not expecting more than the MAC East title is that we don't have a starting QB returning, I'm not saying we shouldn't expect someone to show up next year, but as OHIO's past has shown nothing is a given.

To expect even a MAC East title is a bit much. Who does Miami lose? What about Temple? Sure, we have a lot back, but I'm pretty sure they do, too. And in the West, Northern Illinois and Toledo seem to return a lot. One expectation I have is for the MAC to be at a higher level next year.

As for the Bobcats, I expect a winning season. I think we have a great shot at a MAC East title and even more. It's not even out of the question that we could run the table. But there are too many other good teamsand a few too many question marks to have great expectations.

The defense will make us or break us next year. It's possible that we could have a dominate D if certain questions are answered correctly....like:

Will Keller and Moore return to their before injured big play ability?

Will the inside rotation that will probably include a true freshman in Antwan Crutcher be as good as last year or better?

Can the defensive ends with possibly some true freshman and a juco put some pressure on the opposing QB?


If we get a yes from these 3 then bet the farm.

Normally I'd say you are right but wait until the full schedule is out. We might crossover with 2 weak MAC West opponents. 3 most difficult remaining opponents on the schedule (Miami, Marshall, Temple) are at home while Rutgers, NMSU, and FCS are very beatable. Anything less than 8 wins would be a step back in my opinion on that schedule for a coaching staff in its 7th season. We've shown signs of turning the corner the last 2 years to become a consistent winner and that has to continue.

You mean aside from thier entire coaching staffs?

Special teams will be strong.

I agree with the disruptive DLine theory.

Offensive line at times, Kent and Troy games was lousy with a capital L.  Letting a defender go untouched with a straight shot at the QB is unacceptable--even one time the whole season.  It is probably unrealistic but an entirely new offensive line at every position would look good to me as the coaches then think there is someone playing better--wouldn't it be great that a starter improved in the off season and still lost his position--that would mean an upgrade.  When the offensive line blocks well, against Miami, we kick the conference champs tails.  The running backs have to do their reads and pick up the blitzer and most QB's will look good with protection and holes opening.

LeVon back at WR will upgrade the speed at receiver and getting behind the defense will open up the underneath tight end, running back stuff.  When the corner and the safety have to play against LeVon burning them deep and a QB has time will find some wide open alternatives.  The play action adds to the ability of going long.  So it is mostly about the offensive line getting that crushing running attack going and passing when you see opportunity instead of need.  

It's all easy on paper this time of year! 

Prediction--a three loss regular season, Kent State being one of them, Miami not being one of them.  Gamblers know that three times in a row and you keep betting on the streak to continue and you'll lose only once but you might win for years.  Where if you bet against the streak every year, you might lose10-15 times in a row.  That's why I hope Toledo is not on the schedule.

We Don't Lose at Home should be drilled into heads, we need to Own Our Turf.

Well said Dennis.

If all our verbals sign next Wednesday you can also count on team improvement thanks to what I believe is Frank's best recruiting class at Ohio.

Headline on my Yahoo local news was about Akron and their 2011 schedule.  They announced their opponents from the MAC West, home against Central and away against the other two directions.  Akron doesn't play BG in this schedule.

Has anyone heard who we play?

 http://www.ohio.com/sports/114745484.html

In my opinion, we have seen the program rise to new levels in the past several years and it is time to expect the program to move to yet another level.

MAC East would be ok, winning the MAC would be more like it and definitely being competitive in a bowl game against a quality opponent should be the expectation.

New QB and an all new DL means the OL and special teams will need to really step up until the QB and DL get settled. Most conference championship teams win with returning QBs and dominant lines. Heres hoping Bates plays like a returning starter and Burrow/Germano can find some mean DT/DEs. I will reserve all expectations until I see how the OL/DLs come out this fall.

If we have 10 wins, I'll consider this season to be a good one.  9 is my expectation.  3-1 is attainable for our non-con, but even our BCS game Rutgers wouldn't be a huge stretch of the imagination.  OUr primary rivals, Temple and the team that knocked us out of the MAC title game are at home this year.  Akron, Beefalo, and BGSU are on the road, but they are winnable if we play well.

Bowl game?  Who knows, but I agree with said statements that the time is now for a signature win for Frank.

Cutting off oubobcatjon there on purpose.  I like all the optimism, trust me.  But....  Lots of holes....  I guess every team has them.  But questions at QB and RB and the whole starting D line graduating leaves some big things to reload.