[joepa66]

2) OHIO - The good news for the Bobcats is that RB Kelvin McRae, the 4th leading ground gainer in the MAC (1329yds/4.9ypc), 3rd active leading rusher in DI-A (2964yds), and 6th in rushing TDs with 26, and the first OU Bobcats to rush for consecutive 1000 yard seasons is back for his senior season. The Bobcarts were 8-0 last year when McRae ran for 100 yards or more in a game. However, gone is QB Austin Everson who accounted for 1356 yards passing and 357 yards rushing, and his backups are a JUCO transfer and former Illinois backup Brad Bower who had knee surgery in the spring. Bower did play in 11 games throwing for 426 yards but had 7 INTs and just one TD pass.
And, off the field problems (multiple arrests) in January and February overshadowed the Bobcats MAC East title and first bowl appearance since 1968. On the field Ohio has lost all 3 starting linebackers (who accounted for 299 tackles and 127 yards in losses) and along with 4 of their top 5 tacklers from the top MAC scoring defense (14.9ppg), top pass defense (167.1ypg), second rated run defense (114.2ypg), and 29th rated DI total defense. They only return 5 starters on defense and lost their nose tackle and leading INT man TJ Wright (4).
The schedule does benefit Ohio with 6 home games, but one of their early games includes a trip to VATech and another to LA Lafayette. They'll need to gel fast because they also lost two starting offensive linemen and their top two tight ends. Despite having the MACs 12 ranked passing attack, the Bobcats ball control-style offense helped them to a 9-5 record. It appears that it won't be easy to repeat, they even have to replace their starting kicker and punter Matt Lasher who averaged 39.7 yards per punt and was 13-18 in field goals missing his only two attempts from outside of 40 yards. Hopefully for Frank Solich the off-field antics won't be a distraction.