2013 Ohio Bobcats
College Football
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Schedule and Odds
At one point last season, the Bobcats were actually in the Top 25 after winning their first seven Games of the year. An opening win against Penn State and six more against less than mediocre schools will do that for you. Unfortunately, they lost Four of their next five Games in MAC play due to injury problems and more difficult opponents. Even with just nine returning starters, Ohio has a pretty good chance to make it to another bowl Game led by quarterback Tyler Tettleton.
Tettleton’s numbers weren’t as good as 2011, but that can also be attributed to some of the injuries, even he was dealing with an abdomen problem. Still, he went on to 18 TDs compared to Four INTs. A lot of his skill players are returning so Tettleton might be in for his best season yet if everyone can stay healthy. Beau Blankenship and Ryan Boykin are both returning in the backfield and should keep each other fresh. Blankenship took the load last year en route to 1,604 yards and 15 touchdowns when Boykin injured his knee. Donte Foster is back in the receiving Game after leading the team with 59 grabs and eight TDs. With nine seniors on the offense, they bring a lot of experience and can surprise some people this year.
Defensively may not be as pretty for the Bobcats who return just two full-time starters. The front seven took a big hit, but leading tackler Keith Moore is back at the linebacker spot which should help some. The secondary can be considered a strength as their cornerbacks missed the majority of last season due to injury. As long as this team can stay healthy, they’ll have a very good chance at winning the East division.
2013 Ohio Bobcats Football Schedule
Sept. 1 at Louisville
Sept. 7 vs. North Texas
Sept. 14 vs. Marshall
Sept. 21 vs. Austin Peay
Oct. 5 at Akron
Oct. 12 vs. Central Michigan
Oct. 19 at Eastern Michigan
Oct. 26 vs. Miami (OH)
Nov. 5 at Buffalo
Nov. 12 at Bowling Green
Nov. 19 vs. Kent State
Nov. 29 vs. Massachusetts
Winning at Louisville is asking a lot of Ohio in their season opener. While they did beat Penn State last year, the Cardinals are a completely different task to tackle. LUckily, their next seven Games should all be wins.
The Bobcats start MAC play with Four of the worst teams in the conference. To make things even easier, Ohio skips out on playing the best teams out of the West division. Their biggest Games will be back-to-back road Games against fellow MAC East foes in Buffalo and Bowling Green. The Falcons beat Ohio last year, but again that was against a slim squad late in the season. The Bobcats will likely have to win one of those road Games if they want to make it to the MAC title Game.
Ohio’s offense should be better than they were a season ago (31.7 PPG) led by Tettleton. If the defense can keep up, another nine win season should be in the books for the Bobcats.