Ohio is hoping to carry the momentum that was created at the end of last season when the Bobcats ended on a four-game winning streak, capped by a 41-21 win over Georgia Southern in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. The Bobcats finished 10-2 and 6-2 in the MAC, and it was the team’s second straight 10-win season and second consecutive bowl win.
With the late-season surge, Ohio enters the 2024 season with optimism and hopes of contending in the MAC, despite having to replace so many key players from a year ago. Others outside the program may not be as optimistic as the Bobcats were selected to finish fifth in the preseason coaches poll.
Ohio Football’s MAC Title Odds
Ohio’s odds to win the MAC are +1400, via BetMGM.
Ohio Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Ohio’s win total Over/Under is 6, with Over 6 at -105 and Under 6 at -115.
Ohio Football’s 2024 Schedule
8/31 at Syracuse
9/7 vs South Alabama
9/14 vs Morgan State
9/21 at Kentucky
9/28 vs Akron
10/12 at Central Michigan
10/19 at Miami (Ohio)
10/26 vs Buffalo
11/6 at Kent State
11/13 vs Eastern Michigan
11/20 at Toledo
11/29 vs Ball State
Bold indicates MAC contests
Key Ohio Football Returners
C Parker Titsworth
DE Bradley Weaver
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Parker Navarro Gets His Chance To Run The Offense For Ohio Football
Graduate student Parker Navarro will be the starting quarterback after patiently waiting his turn. Last year, he made his lone start of the season in the bowl win over Georgia Southern. Navarro completed 11 of 16 passes for 120 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He also rushed for 71 yards on 15 carries. This is his third year at Ohio after beginning his career at UCF.
Navarro has big shoes to fill, replacing Kurtis Rourke, who transferred to Indiana. Rourke started 33 games for Ohio, completing 66.3% of his passes for 7,651 yards and 50 touchdowns while rushing for 1,240 yards and 11 scores.
Head coach Tim Albin mentioned during the MAC’s media day that the deep running back group is one of the team’s strengths. Redshirt freshman Rickey Hunt Jr., who rushed for 134 yards and four touchdowns, is expected to have a bigger role. Senior Anthony Tyus III, a transfer from Northwestern, should be another key contributor at running back.
Conversely, the receiving group is relatively inexperienced. Coleman Owen, a transfer from Northern Arizona where he was a two-time second-team all-Big Sky selection, is counted on to be among the top receivers. Chase Hendricks, who made two starts and had 11 receptions for 108 yards last year, should have a more prominent role.
Graduate center Parker Titsworth, who has started 27 games over the previous two seasons, is the leader on the offensive line.
The defense allowed just 15.6 points per game, which led the MAC and was sixth nationally. The unit should be strong once again but will be challenged to match last year’s production.
Defensive end Bradley Weaver, who had 13 tackles for loss and six sacks while making 12 starts last season, heads up the defensive line. Another expected key contributor is defensive tackle CJ Doggette, a transfer from Cincinnati.
Linebacker Shay Taylor, who had 20 tackles last year, is expected to have a more prominent role this season.
One of the team leaders is seventh-year safety Jeremiah Wood. Last year, he appeared in 10 games with five starts. He had 26 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, and an interception.
2024 Ohio Football Season Prediction
I predict Ohio won’t win the MAC Championship and will win six games.
The non-league schedule is difficult with road contests at Syracuse and Kentucky and home matchups against South Alabama and Morgan State. Going 2-2 against that slate will be difficult. Even if Ohio goes 1-3 in non-league games, the Bobcats would have to go 5-3 in the MAC to earn six wins.
Only two MAC opponents, Miami (Ohio) and Toledo, have better preseason odds to win the MAC than Ohio. The Bobcats could certainly go 5-3 in league play.
The combination of a challenging non-league schedule and integrating so many new players could signal a slow start by Ohio, but just like last season, the Bobcats should be playing their best football at the end.
There could be some regression in offense. Last year, the Bobcats had a plus-10 turnover ratio, which was tied for 10th nationally. With so many skill position players, that may be difficult to duplicate.
While Ohio won’t be a double-digit win team, this should still be a competitive squad, even if it means taking a step back this season.
