After Ohio went 2-2 in non-conference play, it was unclear just how well the Bobcats would compete against MAC foes in 2024.
But win after win, Ohio proved it was one of the best teams in the league. Then, after losing to Miami (Ohio) in the regular season by 10 points, Ohio turned around and defeated the RedHawks 38-3 in the conference championship. The Bobcats finished the year out with a 30-27 victory over Jacksonville State in the Cure Bowl.
But now head coach Tim Albin is gone, and former offensive coordinator Brian Smith is in charge of the team. Despite some coaching and roster continuity, can Ohio make another run at a league title?
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Ohio Football’s MAC Title Betting Odds
Ohio’s odds to win the MAC are +325, via BetMGM, and the team’s odds of making the conference championship game are +150. The Bobcats’ odds to make the College Football Playoff are +3500.
Ohio Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Ohio’s win total Over/Under is 7.5, with Under 7.5 at -145 and Over 7.5 at +120.
Ohio Football’s 2025 Schedule
Aug. 28 @ Rutgers
Sept. 6 vs. West Virginia
Sept. 13 @ Ohio State
Sept. 20 vs. Gardner-Webb
Sept. 27 vs. Bowling Green
Oct. 4 @ Ball State
Oct. 18 vs. Northern Illinois
Oct. 25 @ Eastern Michigan
Nov. 4 vs. Miami (Ohio)
Nov. 11 @ Western Michigan
Nov. 18 vs. UMass
Nov. 28 @ Buffalo
Dec. 6 MAC Championship
Bold indicates MAC contests
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Key Ohio Football Returners
2024 All-MAC 2nd Team
QB Parker Navarro
DB DJ Walker
Parker Navarro Set To Lead Ohio
Ohio’s gone through plenty of changes in the last six months. But there’s some familiar faces on this team.
Parker Navarro is one of them. The All-MAC second-team quarterback and conference championship offensive player of the game threw for 2,423 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while completing 66% of his passes last year. He also rushed for 1,054 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Anthony Tyus III, who ran for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns for Ohio in 2024, is now gone. But another running back familiar with the program is returning. Sieh Bangura, a former All-MAC selection at Ohio, is back on the Bobcats after transferring to Minnesota last season. In 2023, he ran for 811 yards and seven touchdowns and recorded 1,078 yards and 13 TDs on the ground a year before.
Coleman Owen, one of the top receivers in the Group of Five last year, is gone. But four of Ohio’s top five receivers from a season ago are back. Chase Hendricks was the leader among them in 2024, as he totaled 471 yards and a touchdown on 40 catches. Wide receivers Rodney Harris II (289 yards on 23 catches) and Caleb Gossett (158 yards on 16 receptions) as well as tight end Mason Williams (211 yards and two touchdowns on 19 catches) are also back.
Ohio returns a few starters from last year’s offensive line. Davion Weatherspoon started 14 games for Ohio last year both at left guard and at left tackle. Trent Allen made four starts at left guard, and Jordon Jones made a couple starts at right tackle.
Ohio safety DJ Walker is one the team’s top returners on defense. He made the All-MAC second team after tallying 53 tackles, seven for loss, with eight passes defended, one forced fumble, and one interception.
But after the Bobcats were first in the MAC in scoring defense (18.1 points per game allowed) and second in total defense (304.6 yards per game allowed) last year, Walker is the only player who was among the team’s top six tacklers to return. In fact, just three of Ohio’s top 16 tacklers from last year are back.
But the Bobcats’ secondary will have plenty of experience. Defensive backs Tank Pearson (51 tackles, seven TFLs, six pass breakups, and four interceptions) and Adonis Williams Jr. (33 tackles and three pass breakups) are returning.
Ohio did make some key defensive additions in the transfer portal, so that unit may not see as much drop off as some might expect.
Ohio Football Season Prediction
I predict Ohio won’t win the MAC Championship but will go Over 7.5 wins.
I don’t see the Bobcats taking a major step back with former head coach Tim Albin going to Charlotte and Brian Smith taking over. But I also think repeating as the conference champion following a coaching change would be a difficult task.
The Bobcats also have an extremely difficult non-conference slate. They have three Power Four matchups – Rutgers, West Virginia, and Ohio State – and I don’t know if Ohio will win any of those games. Starting 0-3 is mentally tough for any football program.
But I still think Ohio can get to eight wins after that point. Aside from matchups against Miami (Ohio) at home and at Buffalo, I think the Bobcats will go undefeated in conference play. I could also see the Bobcats defeating either Miami or Buffalo.
A 7-1 record in MAC play as well as a victory over Gardner-Webb in September would give Ohio eight victories. That would be another fantastic season for the Bobcats, especially after Albin left.
