College Football News Preview 2020: Ohio Bobcats Keys To The Season
Biggest Key To The Ohio Bobcats Offense
Hang on to the ball. What can screw up this offense? Mistakes, and lots of them.
The Bobcats got whacked around by Louisiana after turning it over five times. They were -2 in turnover margin in the key loss to Miami University. There 18 fumbles, and they only recovered five of them on the year, giving away 13.
Overall, Nathan Rourke was good at not giving the ball away through the air – Ohio threw just six picks – but the O lost two fumbles in four games.
By the way, Ohio was -4 overall in turnover margin. It was +13 in 2018. On the flip side …
Biggest Key To The Ohio Bobcats Defense
Start picking off more passes. This was a big problem thanks to the lack of a steady pass rush, but the secondary didn’t generate enough big plays, either.
The 2018 defense came up with 16 interceptions, and the 2016 D came up with 15 – maybe it’s an even-year thing. Last season, Ohio came up with five.
Five.
Two of them came against Akron, one was against Rhode Island, and there was an ugly stretch with just one pick in nine games.
Key Ohio Bobcats Player To A Successful Season
QB Drew Keszei, Jr.
Not needed at quarterback last season, he was moved to wide receiver, but he didn’t do anything. Now he’s getting his shot to battle with Kurtis Rourke to try replacing first-team All-MAC star Nathan Rourke, who threw 60 career touchdown passes and ran for 2,634 yards and 49 scores.
Keszei is a good runner, and so is Kurtis Rourke. Either way, there might not be the same production at quarterback, but the rest of the offense is loaded. If the QB play is good, the offense is going to be great.
Key Game To The Ohio Bobcats Season
Buffalo, Nov. 18
It all depends on how the MAC season goes. If the conference play is able to stay as is, going to Miami University will matter, but dealing with a fantastic Buffalo team will be even more dangerous.
The Bobcats won 21-20 over the Bulls last year for the third victory in the last four games. The winner of this almost certainly takes the MAC East.
– Ohio Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
2019 Ohio Fun Stats
– 3rd Quarter Scoring: Ohio 124 – Opponents 57
– Time of Possession: Ohio 31:45 – Opponents 28:15
– Fumbles: Ohio 18 (lost 13) – Opponents 17 (lost 10)