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| | Saturday, September 2 Ohio lacks star power, not firepower | |||||
| By George Porter Special to ESPN.com Ohio Bobcats 1999 record: 5-6 (5-3 MAC) Coach: Jim Grobe Returning starters: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense) Outlook Head coach Jim Grobe sees the up coming 2000 year as a chance to make some big steps in the conference. "We have a lot of guys with good attitudes," he said. "We don't have just one guy who can lead this team, but we have a group of guys who are capable of producing for us." The Bobcats season depends solely on the shoulders of sophomore quarterback Dontrell Jackson. Jackson threw for 745 yards last season while rushing for 528 yards while running the Bobcats option attack. A shoulder injury suffered against Ohio State hampered his production, as he spent then next few games sharing time, but he is back healthy and ready this season. Ohio is deep at running back, highlighted by sophomore Chad Brinker. The Bobcats finally have a playmaker at wide receiver in James Taylor, who should stretch opposing defenses with his speed. On the defensive side of the ball, the secondary is the strength. The brother combination of Bob and Donnie White are solid. The line needs to get a better pass rush and the linebackers are solid against the run with Trendale Perkins and Tom Weilbacher. Keep an eye on ... WR James Taylor. With everyone focusing on the run, Taylor will draw one-on-one coverage. If it's a foot race for the ball, Taylor will make things happen. It's a good season if ... They are a player in the Eastern division race. Their offense is tough to prepare for the defense is solid. Need a sleeper pick? |
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