NCAAF 2021 Cincinnati Bearcats: Looking for an Encore to 2020 August 17, 2021 The Enquirer NCAAF 2021 Cincinnati Bearcats: Looking for an Encore to 2020 August 17, 2021 By: Mike Halterman email Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article Head Coach Luke Fickell has built a powerhouse program at Cincinnati and has a 31-6 record to show for the last three years. They are coming off a 9-1 season and had a 21-10 fourth quarter lead against Georgia in the Peach Bowl before letting it get away and losing on a last second field goal. The Bearcats return several key players from 2020 and the expectations are through the roof and rightly so. But the AAC conference that they are a member of is extremely tough and they have a challenging road ahead of them. They just might be good enough to come through undefeated. Offense: Returning All-AAC Offensive Player of the Year Desmond Ridder, is back at quarterback for his 4th year as a starter. He has thrown for 6,905 yards and rushed for 1,825 more and he is in the hunt for the Heisman. He can beat you with his arm and his feet. Jerome Ford is back at running back and if Charles McClelland can return to his form of 2018 that position will be secure. The offensive line lost James Hudson to the NFL but three starters return led by Vincent McConnell and Jake Renfro. The receiving corps is deep and talented. Michael Young Jr. and Alec Pierce are the leading wide-outs and TE Josh Whyle will be used a lot more and could develop into a NFL player. Defense: The defense lost some great players like linebacker Jarell White and safety James Wiggins. Defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman was lured away by Notre Dame. Former Cincinnati assistant Mike Tressel will inherit a unit that still has plenty of star power. DE Myjai Sanders returns with his 11 career sacks. He is joined upfront by Marcus Brown and Malik Vann. Derrian Beavers is a 260 pound agile linebacker and he is the best in the league. The secondary is stacked with cornerbacks Ahmad Gardner, Coby Bryant, and Arquon Bush plus safeties Bryan Cook and Ja’Von Hicks. Non-Conference Schedule: 9/4 Miami(Ohio) 9/11 Murray State 9/18 at Indiana 9/25 at Notre Dame I don’t know if it was by design or accident but this is the perfect schedule for a team that is trying to make the playoffs from a Group of 5 conference. The Bearcats start off with two warm-up games to get the kinks all worked out against Miami and Murray State. Then they go to a Big-10 school and Indiana happens to be good. To me, that is the key game on their schedule because if they win that they will be 3-0 heading to Notre Dame. And, if they knock off the Irish they will have a marquee win that will generate plenty of attention and set them up to run the table. Conference Schedule: 10/8 Temple 10/16 UCF 10/23 at Navy 10/30 at Tulane 11/6 Tulsa 11/12 at South Florida 11/20 SMU 11/27 at East Carolina Thee conference schedule is set up perfectly for Cincinnati. The games against the tougher teams are all in Ohio. UCF, Tulsa, and SMU all have high hopes and they are all home games for Cincinnati. There are road games at Navy, Tulane, South Florida, and East Carolina and these four teams are rated in the bottom part of the league by most pundits. Summary: If the Bearcats can run the table, they will have a marquee win against Notre Dame on their resume as they try and make a case to be in the Final-Four Playoffs. But, they have to do it first and talk is cheap. They have the coaching, the talent, and the schedule. But they also have a huge bullseye on their back and they won’t sneak up on anybody. Can they handle the high expectations and the pressure that comes with it? Predicted Finish: 1st Place in the AAC Overall Record: 11-1
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More