Ohio Bobcats 2026 Preview
Ohio went 9-4 (6-2 in the MAC). Here is what changed on the roster, the full 2026 schedule, and where they rank going into the season.
What changed for Ohio in 2026
- New head coach in John Hauser (Ohio Defensive Coordinator)
- New defensive coordinator in Kurt Mattix (Charlotte Co-Defensive Coordinator)
- Starting QB from last season is gone. New Hampshire transfer Matt Vezza is expected to start (2,673 yards, 19 TDs, 7 INTs; 601 rushing yards, 8 rushing TDs)
- Starting RB from last season is gone, so backup RB Duncan Brune is expected to start (585 yards, 8 TDs)
- Top four players in terms of receiving yards are gone, with the top returner being Dom Dorwart (119 yards, 0 TDs)
- No starting offensive lineman return with three transfers expected to start
- Returning five starters on defense, with the top returner being LB Charlie Christopher (63 tackles). Holy Cross transfer CB Eli Thompson is expected to start (47 tackles, 4 INTs)
- Sacramento State
- First season in the FBS (Previously in FCS)
- New head coach in Alonzo Carter (Arizona Associate Head Coach & RB Coach)
- New offensive coordinator in Eric Kiesau (Florida Offensive Quality Control Coach) and defensive coordinator in Adam Clark (Northern Arizona Defensive Coordinator)
- Returning one offensive starter in TE Jordan Williams (170 yards, 1 TD)
- Fresno State transfer Carson Conklin is expected to start (354 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs; previously on Sacramento State for two seasons)
- Weber State transfer Davion Godley is expected to start at RB (512 yards, 4 TDs)
- Expected starters at WR include returner Jace Wilson (56 yards, 0 TDs), San Jose State transfer Matthew Coleman (131 yards, 1 TD), and Idaho State transfer Raiden Brown (126 yards, 2 TDs)
- Returning three starters on defense, with the top returner being LB Alex Rocha (49 tackles). Seven transfers are expected to start
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Fact checking by Brady Kommes; cover art by Pace Maier.
Ohio Bobcats 2026 schedule
| Game | Opponent | Site |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastern Michigan | Away |
| 2 | Mississippi Valley State | Home |
| 3 | Fresno State | Away |
| 4 | North Dakota State | Home |
| 5 | UMass | Home |
| 6 | Bowling Green | Away |
| 7 | Ohio | Home |
| 8 | Ball State | Away |
| 9 | Kent State | Home |
| 10 | Toledo | Home |
| 11 | Central Michigan | Away |
| 12 | Hawaii | Away |
Get the printable Ohio Bobcats 2026 schedule with kickoff times and TV, sized for one page.
More MAC previews
Related reading
Ohio Bobcats betting FAQ
Ohio Bobcats play 12 games in 2026, 6 at home. They open against Eastern Michigan. The full schedule is listed on this page.
Ohio is outside Kyle Kommes's preseason Top 25 for 2026.
You can bet Ohio games on BettorEdge, a peer-to-peer marketplace. Because you trade with other bettors rather than a sportsbook, the price carries no built-in house vig.
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