Ohio Football: The Bobcats Are On Cusp Of 10 Wins For A Third Straight Year

This was the year Ohio was supposed to take a step back following its two consecutive 10-win seasons. 

With a lot of turnover on the roster and inexperienced players stepping into starting roles, it was expected head coach Tim Albin’s squad would be average. College football betting odds had the Bobcats’ preseason win total at six. They were +1400 to win the conference, behind Miami (Ohio) and Toledo. 

But with Wednesday night’s win over Toledo, the Bobcats are now one win away from another trip to the MAC Championship. Ohio (8-3, 6-1 MAC) plays Ball State on Friday, Nov. 29, and will secure a spot in the championship with a win. 

The Bobcats went to the MAC Championship in 2022, where they fell 17-7 to the Rockets. Ohio is 0-5 in MAC title games.

Wednesday’s win was reminiscent of what Ohio’s entire season has looked like. The Bobcats have leaned on the legs of Parker Navarro and Anthony Tyus III to wear down their opponents. Navarro made some critical mistakes that could have proved costly, but he made up for them with big runs while Ohio’s defense didn’t fold. That has happened more often than not.

The Bobcats rank second in the MAC in scoring defense (18 points per game) and total defense (299.5 yards allowed per game). The defense is almost as dominant as it was last year when the Bobcats allowed 15 PPG. 

This year, however, they returned just four starters and got a new defensive coordinator in John Hauser. Hauser was Ohio’s safeties coach the previous three seasons. 

Albin deserves credit for the Bobcats’ ability to remain consistent despite a new-look group.

Only two starters returned on offense and former Bobcats QB Kurtis Rourke has led fifth-ranked Indiana to a 10-0 record. He will likely be playing in the College Football Playoff. 

Imagine if he had stuck around?

Perhaps Ohio’s record can be attributed to its favorable schedule. They didn’t have to face Northern Illinois or Bowling Green, and their other tough contests were played at home. 

But you can’t fault the Bobcats for whoever is on the opposite sideline. They had two comfortable wins over good Eastern Michigan and Buffalo squads and picked up the win Wednesday in the Glass Bowl, which is arguably the hardest place to win in the MAC.

Albin has proved the Bobcats will be competitive as long as he’s at the helm. They’re are on the cusp of winning 10 games for the third year in a row.

There’s a strong chance Pete Lembo is the frontrunner to be the MAC Coach of the Year following the turnaround at Buffalo, but Albin should be in consideration to win the award for the second time in three seasons.

MAC Championship Game Scenario

Ohio’s only conference loss this season came against Miami, which is also 6-1 in league play. Bowling Green — which plays at Ball State on Saturday — is 5-1 in MAC play and will be tied with Ohio and Miami with a win on Saturday.

Miami and Bowling Green play each other next week, so whoever wins that game will land a spot in the MAC Championship (if Ohio defeats Ball State next week). 

If Ohio loses to Ball State and BGSU wins this week and beats Miami next week, then BGSU and Miami will meet again in the MAC Championship since Miami and Ohio would both be 6-2 and Miami owns the tiebreaker. 

Simply put, Ohio, Miami, and BGSU each hold their own destiny to make the trip to Ford Field for the MAC title game.