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Ohio's option attack had gone flat not producing the points or yards to throw a scare into too many MAC team. Trying to change on the fly, the offense started to throw the ball a bit more last year and will now try and go to a true spread attack in a last ditch effort for head coach Brian Knorr to make some noise in the MAC.
But really, how well can Ohio do in its first full year with the new look? There are more than enough veterans to try and make the switch go smoothly and some intriguing receivers to turn into top deep threats. The offensive line is full of experience and there are more than enough running backs to keep the ground game moving. Former Nevada offensive coordinator Phil Earley knows how to get balanced production, so there's no reason to think the Bobcats will be 11th in the MAC in total offense again.
With so many high-powered teams on the schedule, the defense has to use all of its veterans to band together and have a big year. It can happen as the secondary will be one of the surprises in the MAC, but there's a concern about the line and stopping the run. It all adds up to an interesting year in Athens, but the shaken up team has to win and win now.
The Schedule: The Bobcats start off with a layup against VMI, and then things get nasty with only a home date against Buffalo to breakup a brutal seven-game stretch. The opponents ease up over the last three games, but Ohio has to go to Kent State and UCF. Outside of the Buffalo game, the MAC home dates are as brutal as can be.
Best Offensive Player: Sophomore WR Scott Mayle. Ready to be one of the MAC's breakout stars, Mayle is a championship track athlete with big-time jets. He averaged 20.6 yards per catch last year and should become an even more consistent home-run hitter this year.
Best Defensive Player: Senior LB Dennis Chukwuemeka. The team's best tackler over the last two years, Chukwuemeka has made 216 stops and will be the leader and top tackler again of a good Bobcat back eight.
Key player to a successful season: You can't run a spread attack without a quarterback or two. Former Miami University QB Ryan Hawk and young Austen Everson are big and can move, but they have to prove they can be accurate enough to run a spread attack.
The season will be a success if ... Ohio wins six games. A four win season is more likely unless there are few upsets, but Brian Knorr doesn't have that kind of time. He needs a winning season right now.
Key game: Oct. 30 at Kent State. The Golden Flashes beat the Bobcats in a 37-33 thriller last year. Ohio has to win this game coming off almost certain losses to Kentucky, Marshall, Toledo and Bowling Green and with UCF and Akron coming up.
2003 Fun Stats:
- Third quarter scoring: Opponents 80 - Ohio 35
- Average yards per pass: Ohio 7.8 - Opponents 7.5
- Sacks: Ohio 32 - Opponents 26
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