Ohio

The Bobcats enter 2026 with significant offensive uncertainty after losing starting quarterback Parker Navarro to professional football, creating a leadership void that defines their offseason. Ohio's -5.3 JP+ rating ranks 98th nationally, with an offense grading at -1.6 (81st) that must replace not only Navarro's 117.0 PPA but also top receiver Chase Hendricks, who transferred to Cal after posting 66.1 PPA last season. The portal churn was substantial — 16 departures cost 232.9 PPA while 18 arrivals added just 8.6 PPA, led by running back Victor Rosa from UConn.

JP+ projects 7.1 wins for the Bobcats, a slight decline from last year's 8-4 finish that reflected the structural continuity challenges across both sides of the ball. The offense faces high continuity risk with quarterback change uncertainty and an offensive line reset, while the defense deals with moderate coverage attrition that compounds the overall instability. Road trips to Nebraska, Miami (OH), and South Alabama represent the toughest tests, while home games against Ball State and Stonehill plus a trip to Sacramento State offer potential victories. If the new signal-caller emerges quickly and the revamped offensive line gels, Ohio could surprise in the MAC race — but if the quarterback competition drags into the season, the Bobcats risk falling short of bowl eligibility.