The Athlon Sports College Football 2008 magazine has hit the news stands (and my mailbox) and let’s just say Athlon is not expecting much of the 2008 Ohio Bobcats football team. While there’s excitement at quarterback with JUCO transfer Boo Jackson competing with Theo Scott, Athlon does not see a lot more to be excited about in Athens this fall. Andrew Mooney set a school record with 9 TD catches for a TE in 2007 and Michael Mitchel and Jameson Hartke lead Frank Solich’s defense, but the overall picture painted by Athlon is not a pretty one. The losses of key contributors Kalvin McRae (1,434 yds rushing, 19 TD - school leader in career rushing yards), kicker Michael Braunstein (school record 20 FG in 2007) and defensive lineman Landon Cohen (NFL Draft 7th round pick) leave the Bobcats with holes to fill, but I am not supportive of the 1-2 wins predicted by Athlon. Yes, the Bobcats have a greuling schedule to start the 2008 college football season with 5 of their first 7 games on the road where Vegas will likely have them as an underdog in all of those games but one, but just 1-2 wins for a Frank Solich-coached team seems dramatically underrated.

My pick for the 2008 Ohio Bobcats? Yes, there are major holes to fill, but the coaching staff knows how to win and the Bobcats are just two season removed from the 2006 MAC East title. I see Ohio being somewhere between 5-7 and 7-5 and middle of the pack in the MAC unless the ‘Cats learn a lot from their tough early schedule. If they do they could potentially contend for the MAC East crown in 2008.