CalebTroop.com

Fall camp is less than a month away for an Ohio football team in search for a consecutive bowl appearance.  But questions galore enter the 2010 season for the Green and White.  Who better to ask than a panel of nine people who follow the ‘Cats day in and day out.

Jason Arkley is the beat reporter for The Athens Messenger.  Brian Boesch is the Sports Director at WATH/WXTQ radio.  Rob Cornelius and Russ Eisenstein make up the broadcast team on the Ohio ISP Sports Network.  Will Frasure and Vince Nairn form the beat for the university’s student newspaper, The Post.  Allie LaForce is the TV host of Bobcat Blitz. Bryan Levin is the Sports Director of WOUB TV and Radio in Athens.  Ted Thompson is the owner of fan site BobcatAttack.com.

Who is the starting quarterback?

Arkley-  Boo Jackson. More polished in the passing game.  Phil Bates, however, will see time under center as well.

Boesch-  It has to be Boo. Last season, the ‘Cats really started to click when Theo took the reins behind center the entire year.  Boo has more upside than Theo, so letting him take the QB spot all year is key in my mind.  Tyler Tettleton and Bates should only be used sparingly for some gimmick plays.

Cornelius-  Jackson at season’s tip, assuming health.  But this will be a full on Dontrell Jackson/Dan Jordan deal with probably the fun of alternated series and several uncomfortable looking trick plays that result in minimal yards in September—assuming Tettleton gets the redshirt if the other two are healthy.

Eisenstein-  Jackson is the front runner for that spot in 2010.  With that said, there will be a battle.  Bates didn’t transfer from Iowa State to go down without a fight for first string.  Boo figures to be the favorite, and if he sees that all the way to Wofford, he will have earned it.

Frasure-  Jackson will start.  He has too much experience not to, plus Bates has to become more accurate as a passer to break in.

LaForce-  Jackson for sure.  He has the most experience, and they have really stuck with him through injuries.  He will at least get the first chance, and it is up to him after that.  Bates is talented but needs reps.

Levin-  Jackson.  While there may be a battle later on, I think head coach Frank Solich will go with Jackson’s experience.  Having more than one capable QB can put Ohio in a great spot, but it can also hinder them if a flow isn’t established.

Nairn-  Jackson.  I don’t think he would have tried to earn the medical redshirt if he wasn’t going to be the starting QB.  Then again, I don’t think Bates transferred from Iowa State to sit the bench, either.

Thompson-  Jackson will start and get most of the playing time. But Ohio coaches are drooling over the prospect of incorporating a running QB with the talent of Bates.  I think he’ll see dedicated series and be in on 3rd-and-short and goal-line situations.  If Bates can improve his accuracy or Boo can’t hang on to the ball, we may see Bates in there full-time.

2.  What will be the biggest surprise of the season?

Arkley-  For a third season in a row the Bobcats won’t have a dedicated tailback to turn to.  More running back by committee this season.

Boesch-  How well the Bobcats will play against a BCS squad.  Ohio will scare the Buckeyes again for a half and make it a game in the fourth quarter.  Solich will once again prove that he can scheme with the best of them when the talent is not equal.

Cornelius-  The biggest surprise will be just how good Ohio’s defense continues to be, despite key losses at LB and DB.  There’s no way to maintain last year’s sheer number of forced turnovers, but the questions at those spots won’t be questions by October.  This will be a better every-down defense, and more depth on the DL will make this team more dangerous even out of vanilla base sets.

Eisenstein-  Despite losing some pieces on the defensive side and on the offensive line, Ohio will keep the turnover machine churning, will get the running game moving and the QBs upright.  Even if two out of three occur, the ‘Cats will be in good shape.

Frasure-  The running game.  Everyone talks about what Ohio has at receiver and QB, but with Kenny Ashley and a decent offensive line, Ohio should do some damage on the run.  If someone fills in well for graduated center David White, the O-line should be pretty good.

LaForce-  The QB rotation.  It will be very interesting to see how Solich uses such different strengths and playing styles from his QBs.  It’s always a surprise who starts and who finishes the season, and often it seems expectations do not match up to end results at the end of the season.

Levin-  Last season, Ohio notched 23 TD passes but only 9 TDs on the ground.  Everyone knows there is a question mark at RB, but I think that TD imbalance will be greatly improved.  The Bobcats may not have a superb ground attack, but the team will stay on the ground to limit turnovers once they enter the red zone.

Nairn-  The defense.  The Bobcats proved they could score last year.  But since I’ve been in Athens, the defense has shown flashes of being very good but never sustained it for longer than a game or two.  I think that changes this year.

Thompson-  The re-emergence of the Ohio running game. This would appear to be the best offensive line Solich has had at Ohio. The running back spot is thin with just Vince Davidson and Ryan Boykin there until Donte Harden returns from suspension in game seven.

3.  The player most likely to emerge for the Green and White this fall?

Arkley-  TE Jordan Thompson.  He’s got the build, smarts and work ethic to be a top-notch tight end.  A year under his belt makes a difference this fall.

Boesch-  I’m done with expecting a running back to step up and be the man.  I look for WR Riley Dunlop to thrive with Boo Jackson under center.  The two are good friends, and with so many great wide outs on the offensive side, Dunlop in the slot will be a tough cover for any MAC defense.

Cornelius-  It will be whomever emerges at running back.  Someone will.  Could even be a converted receiver if the well is dry enough.  But simply regressing to the league or national rushing mean will be possible for whoever lines up behind a much deeper group at offensive line.

Eisenstein-  Boo Jackson.  The case can be made MAC Football 2010 is more running back dominated than quarterback heavy.  Despite that, the nation’s knowledge of this league centers on the QB because of the string of good ones we’ve seen.  With a talented receiving corps, if he irons out some mistakes and remains healthy, Boo has a chance to be the best in the league.

Frasure-  Riley Dunlop.  His shoulder injury shortened his season, but he looked back to form in the spring.  With so much attention given to LaVon Brazill and Terrence McCrae, Dunlop should be a top target for whoever plays QB.

LaForce-  Riley Dunlop.  He is very talented and has been the player in the shadow of the all-stars, but this is his year to emerge if he is going to.  Coming back from an injury, it will be vital for him to step up from the beginning so Ohio can use all of its hands on the receiving end.

Levin-  FS Steven Jackson.  The redshirt-senior had 24 tackles and 1 interception in only 4 games last season.  This year, the safety will once again by a top contributor for the defense.

Nairn-  Phil Bates.  It doesn’t matter if he’s playing quarterback, wide receiver—anything.  The kid is a phenomenal athlete and needs to be on the field.  If he gets the chance, he will shine.

Thompson-  Terrence McCrae.  The departure of Taylor Price to the NFL will open up a starting spot for McCrae.  With his combination of size and speed, ability to make plays on the ball in the air, the sky’s the limit for McCrae in 2010.

4.  Which game is most intriguing for Ohio?

Arkley-  At Marshall.  Similarly positioned program, rivalry game.  Bit of a revenge factor for the Bobcats after the bowl loss.  With the turnover in the offseason for the Herd, this is a game Ohio should win.

Boesch-  A week two home test with a Toledo team that can contend in the West.  Teams are still feeling themselves out this early in the season, and it is the team’s only conference game until Oct. 2.  Starting 0-1 in the MAC and not being able to change it for three weeks would be a frustrating start to the year for the Green and White.

Cornelius-  Toledo.  Though they appear depleted on paper, how well Ohio handles a rising West foe very early will be critical.  After that one, not a lot of games jump off the schedule as interesting until November.  Glad the Bobcats get UT early; national publications seem stuck on NIU.

Eisenstein-  At Marshall and at Temple. The rivalry with The Herd has been renewed, and for multiple reasons, Ohio needs to win more than its share against the boys from Huntington.  A realistic chance at a 3-1 record, barring an upset of Ohio State to make it 4-0, should be in play.  The division crown may be on the line again against the Owls.

Frasure-  At Temple.  Both teams are favorites in the MAC East.  If everything goes as expected, this game could be a de-facto championship game for the crown.

LaForce-  If all goes to plan it will be against Temple in Philly.  Temple is highly favored but Ohio is right behind them with the Bobcats defense returning many players.

Levin- At Temple on Nov. 16.  Ohio should be looked at as a top team in the MAC East and, on paper, shouldn’t have much of a problem with some of the early conference games.  However, there are always a few hiccups and a late season contest in Philadelphia will most likely have big implications.

Nairn-  Ohio State.  The Bobcats came very close to beating the Buckeyes in 2008 and are better now than they were then.  Ohio State has its annual lofty goals.  And I don’t care what the players are saying, there has to be just a little bit of revenge of their minds about that game two years ago.

Thompson-  At Temple.  The Owls are everyone’s pre-season favorite to win the MAC East.  They ran rough-shod over the East last year until they were manhandled by the Bobcats in the season finale.  Temple/Ohio could again be for the MAC East title.

5.  Finish the sentence: In order for the ‘Cats to become bowl eligible in 2010…

Arkley-  …be more consistent offensively.  You can’t expect Ohio to rack up 30-plus takeaways again this season.  The ‘O’ needs to avoid the hot-and-cold streaks it had in 2009.

Boesch-  …the team needs to play up to its potential.  This is a roster that, in reality, should have no problem getting six wins.  An experienced quarterback, a deep group of wide receivers, an opportunistic defense and some explosive special teams players.  Bowl eligibility should not be an issue, and if it is, then this team did not live up to expectations.

Cornelius-  …Ohio will just need to hold serve. The ‘Cats should be favored in all but maybe three weeks.  Anything less than eight wins and the almost certain bowl berth someplace would be a disappointment if there are not catastrophic injuries.  No season has seemed more obvious as a winning one with big expectations to come since 2001, but that one certainly didn’t go as planned.

Eisenstein-  …they must continue to win away from home.  That answer is more applicable to the question of: what will it take for Ohio to win the conference title?  Being bowl eligible again will be a good thing for this program, but sights are set higher than that.  Winning away from Athens for the second straight year would do wonders.

Frasure- …they have to generate turnovers somewhat like they did last season.  Thirty seven shouldn’t be expected, but if they still generate 25-30, they will be very successful.

LaForce-  …the Bobcats must first continue to build on the foundation that last year brought them.  With plenty of weapons back on both sides, the team should be more confident in utilizing these guys (Brazill, McCrae, Keller).  This year Solich will have a much better idea of how to utilize his biggest assets on both sides of the ball.

Levin- …the running game has to be established.

Nairn- …they need to avoid the post-bowl game letdown that happened in 2007.  They need to beat the teams they’re supposed to beat and win one or two as an underdog.

Thompson-  …they need to finish even in turnover margin.  The Ohio defense will be hard-pressed to duplicate the 37 turnovers it forced a year ago.  The Bobcats were beneficiaries of a +1 average turnover margin last year.  If they can just keep the turnovers even this year, that should be enough for seven or eight wins.

Now it’s your turn.  What do you think, Bobcat fans?  Send YOUR five answers to calebtroop@gmail.com.  I’ll run a list with some of the best responses later this summer.