I know realignment isnt necesarily about on field perfomance (see Rutgers and Maryland)....but it cant hurt. I am starting to think that this year is a BIg one for us, maybe more than we realize...here is a copy paste from managing editor of Scout:

7. The next program to get sucked up by the Power 5 will be …
Cincinnati. The Big 12 didn’t get Louisville, but Cincinnati has a decent TV market - No. 34 - and geograpically fits in as a natural rival to West Virginia. On the field, the Bearcats have quietly become a bit of a powerhouse winning nine games or more in six of the last seven seasons, and this year’s team is good enough to take the American Athletic. Tommy Tuberville might be known now as America’s fill-in coach until something better comes along, but the guy has won 139 games over 19 years and has a terrific team coming back after going 9-4 last year. Toledo, Miami University, at Ohio State, Memphis, at Miami, at SMU, USF, at Tulane, East Carolina (with a week off to prepare), at Connecticut, at Temple, at Houston. That smells like 10-2, or 9-3 with a chance at a tenth win in a good bowl game, and then it’s realignment time.




If true, 9 or 10 wins is a BIG must. Hope CTT an the boys deliver!!!

I think it's critical that we don't take a backwards step. If we win 4 games we will be written off as a joke and recruiting will suffer. If we can fight our way into the top 25 then we get on the CFB shows and we keep the train moving. Who knows if/when we get an invite, but we need to stay on everyone's radar. You do that by winning.

(08-29-2014 09:58 AM)Dannyboy Wrote:  I think it's critical that we don't take a backwards step. If we win 4 games we will be written off as a joke and recruiting will suffer. If we can fight our way into the top 25 then we get on the CFB shows and we keep the train moving. Who knows if/when we get an invite, but we need to stay on everyone's radar. You do that by winning.

Taking a step back in wins/losses won't hurt us if fan support remains. The problem is we have to increase fan support if we really want to move up and it's unlikely we'll be able to maintain fan support if we have a down year.

This is probably one of the most critical years in CINCINNATI FOOTBALL History. One step backwards, and in the abyss we will fall for an unknown amount of time. Another 9-13 win season, and we'll be the prettiest girl at the dance. I really don't see any options, but to win, and upgrade the facilities as quickly as possible.

(08-29-2014 09:55 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  I know realignment isnt necesarily about on field perfomance (see Rutgers and Maryland)....but it cant hurt. I am starting to think that this year is a BIg one for us, maybe more than we realize...here is a copy paste from managing editor of Scout:

7. The next program to get sucked up by the Power 5 will be …
Cincinnati. The Big 12 didn’t get Louisville, but Cincinnati has a decent TV market - No. 34 - and geograpically fits in as a natural rival to West Virginia. On the field, the Bearcats have quietly become a bit of a powerhouse winning nine games or more in six of the last seven seasons, and this year’s team is good enough to take the American Athletic. Tommy Tuberville might be known now as America’s fill-in coach until something better comes along, but the guy has won 139 games over 19 years and has a terrific team coming back after going 9-4 last year. Toledo, Miami University, at Ohio State, Memphis, at Miami, at SMU, USF, at Tulane, East Carolina (with a week off to prepare), at Connecticut, at Temple, at Houston. That smells like 10-2, or 9-3 with a chance at a tenth win in a good bowl game, and then it’s realignment time.




If true, 9 or 10 wins is a BIG must. Hope CTT an the boys deliver!!!

If true, as fans I think we feel a certain pressure for the Bearcats to win and remain top of mind competitively. The buzz with fanbases in the B12 or ACC will definitely be better if UC stands tall among the G5. Truthfully though, I don't know that it will have a substantial impact on the thought leaders with regard to conference realignment. There are other compelling reasons such as TV market size and proximity that are more critical than any single season results on the field.

(08-29-2014 10:38 AM)True Bearcat Wrote:  This is probably one of the most critical years in CINCINNATI FOOTBALL History. One step backwards, and in the abyss we will fall for an unknown amount of time. Another 9-13 win season, and we'll be the prettiest girl at the dance. I really don't see any options, but to win, and upgrade the facilities as quickly as possible.

This.

Cincinnati must not only remind national audiences that it's still relevant, but it also must convince recruits that it's better than the conference it plays in and must convince local fans that it remains worth supporting despite the fact that it's been locked out of the big-money bowls and national title picture.

The program cannot slide back to the pack and allow less-prestigious programs to make up the recruiting gap Cincinnati enjoyed as part of the Big East.

The program cannot slide back in appeal to local fans -- many of whom are loathe to support anything deemed "minor league" or "not relevant" on a national scale.

Every game this season needs to be a statement game, and that statement must be "We're better than this Mickey Mouse conference."

Period.

(08-29-2014 10:58 AM)#41 Wrote:  

(08-29-2014 10:38 AM)True Bearcat Wrote:  This is probably one of the most critical years in CINCINNATI FOOTBALL History. One step backwards, and in the abyss we will fall for an unknown amount of time. Another 9-13 win season, and we'll be the prettiest girl at the dance. I really don't see any options, but to win, and upgrade the facilities as quickly as possible.

This.

Cincinnati must not only remind national audiences that it's still relevant, but it also must convince recruits that it's better than the conference it plays in and must convince local fans that it remains worth supporting despite the fact that it's been locked out of the big-money bowls and national title picture.

The program cannot slide back to the pack and allow less-prestigious programs to make up the recruiting gap Cincinnati enjoyed as part of the Big East.

The program cannot slide back in appeal to local fans -- many of whom are loathe to support anything deemed "minor league" or "not relevant" on a national scale.

Every game this season needs to be a statement game, and that statement must be "We're better than this Mickey Mouse conference."

Period.

Agree with both. EVERY football and basketball season is of paramount importance at this juncture.

I would go even further, and state that we REALLY need to go 11-1 and "crash the party". But, it will be tremendously difficult. I'll be OK with 9-3 or 10-2.

No more or no less critical than any other year. I don' worry about Bearcat football dying on the vine - simply because we won't let it.

Momentum can continue despite the challenges (and has) as long as we continue to support the program (current fans and alums being we). No reason for this season to be a doomsday device.

An AAU invitation would be equally nice. Being accepted and nationally recognized as a major research university opens up more options not only academically, but also athletically. All of the P5 conferences would like to improve their reputations across the entire spectrum of respectability.

(08-29-2014 12:37 PM)colohank Wrote:  An AAU invitation would be equally nice. Being accepted and nationally recognized as a major research university opens up more options not only academically, but also athletically. All of the P5 conferences would like to improve their reputations across the entire spectrum of respectability.

Yep, AAU would be fabulous; a rising tide lifts all boats. How about this statistic at the UC home page this week: nearly 80% of this (largest ever) freshman class are residential students. Talk about building a cohesive university community that will get connected while on campus and stay engaged after graduation, this is a sea change.

What is the capacity at Paul Brown going to be? Somewhere around 43k if I recall properly. If UC really is P5 quality, we will be drawing more than 40,000 this season...

(08-29-2014 12:37 PM)colohank Wrote:  An AAU invitation would be equally nice. Being accepted and nationally recognized as a major research university opens up more options not only academically, but also athletically. All of the P5 conferences would like to improve their reputations across the entire spectrum of respectability.

I didn't consider this, since I looked at it from a football point only. However this would be the greatest thing to ever happen to the University of Cincinnati. I believe President Santa Ono is driving UC towards this great goal, and it will be accomplished in the next 5 years.

(08-29-2014 01:35 PM)Cali_Cat Wrote:  What is the capacity at Paul Brown going to be? Somewhere around 43k if I recall properly. If UC really is P5 quality, we will be drawing more than 40,000 this season...

I disagree with you here in that P5's, even the crud ones get the benefit of big name conference teams at home...we dont. Lets see Iowa State, Wake, Minnesota draw big crowds with our home conference slate. Its one thing when its your tune up game with exciting conference games to follow, its another when its your week in and out competition.

UC, with a B12 or ACC conference home slate will easily draw 40k and "look P5"....

(08-29-2014 02:40 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  

(08-29-2014 01:35 PM)Cali_Cat Wrote:  What is the capacity at Paul Brown going to be? Somewhere around 43k if I recall properly. If UC really is P5 quality, we will be drawing more than 40,000 this season...

I disagree with you here in that P5's, even the crud ones get the benefit of big name conference teams at home...we dont. Lets see Iowa State, Wake, Minnesota draw big crowds with our home conference slate. Its one thing when its your tune up game with exciting conference games to follow, its another when its your week in and out competition.

UC, with a B12 or ACC conference home slate will easily draw 40k and "look P5"....

This is so true. I remember looking at the Big East football schedule early on and thinking how Louisville and West Virginia were going to be guaranteed sellouts at Nippert. As UC football grew, the visiting fans were replaced by Bearcat fans. Same will be true if Florida State or Oklahoma come calling; full house @ Nippert guaranteed or 50K+ @ PBS. Even P5 bottom feeders enjoy big crowds from visiting conference opponents as a fringe benefit.

(08-29-2014 10:58 AM)#41 Wrote:  Cincinnati must not only remind national audiences that it's still relevant, but it also must convince recruits that it's better than the conference it plays in and must convince local fans that it remains worth supporting despite the fact that it's been locked out of the big-money bowls and national title picture.

I disagree with the bolded part and I'm not sure why UC fans in particular seem to think that way. We've actually got a pretty darn good shot at reaching the selection bowls this year and for the foreseeable future. And with our current schedule, IF we can somehow go undefeated, I think we'd have a VERY solid shot at the 4 team playoffs (although not playing and beating UCF might bite us depending upon what happens elsewhere). Of course that's a very tall order, but there's no shortcut to the 4 team playoffs for any team - most likely nobody from any conference is getting in with more than 1 loss.

In fact if I were currently a betting man, I'd be willing to bet that as of right now, UC has as good or likely better chance of playing in one of the selection bowls and/or the 4 team playoffs as soon or likely SOONER than any of our regional comp/rival schools in the P5 (e.g. relative newbies like WVU, UL, Pitt and long termers like IU, PU, ILL, UK...) Any hypothetical takers?

Of course I'd love to be in a P5 conference for many reasons - with tv money the dominating one. But looking strictly at the post season "big stage" possibilities, the current situation actually works reasonably well for us especially when compared to many of the P5 schools we tend to compete with for recruits.

(08-29-2014 04:28 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(08-29-2014 10:58 AM)#41 Wrote:  Cincinnati must not only remind national audiences that it's still relevant, but it also must convince recruits that it's better than the conference it plays in and must convince local fans that it remains worth supporting despite the fact that it's been locked out of the big-money bowls and national title picture.

I disagree with the bolded part and I'm not sure why UC fans in particular seem to think that way. We've actually got a pretty darn good shot at reaching the selection bowls this year and for the foreseeable future. And with our current schedule, IF we can somehow go undefeated, I think we'd have a VERY solid shot at the 4 team playoffs (although not playing and beating UCF might bite us depending upon what happens elsewhere). Of course that's a very tall order, but there's no shortcut to the 4 team playoffs for any team - most likely nobody from any conference is getting in with more than 1 loss.

In fact if I were currently a betting man, I'd be willing to bet that as of right now, UC has as good or likely better chance of playing in one of the selection bowls and/or the 4 team playoffs as soon or likely SOONER than any of our regional comp/rival schools in the P5 (e.g. relative newbies like WVU, UL, Pitt and long termers like IU, PU, ILL, UK...) Any hypothetical takers?

Of course I'd love to be in a P5 conference for many reasons - with tv money the dominating one. But looking strictly at the post season "big stage" possibilities, the current situation actually works reasonably well for us especially when compared to many of the P5 schools we tend to compete with for recruits.

we've been locked out in that we do not have an auto bid to a big boy bowl for our conference champ...yes we can get the bid if we are the best among the G5 but it's like this...in the Big East we were competing against 7 other teams for a BCS level bowl. Now we are competing against however many teams are in the G5, 65 teams?

Now, one can argue we have an easier path than the lower p5 teams...as if Wazzou, Wake, Iowa State, etc are going to sniff a major bowl...they won't.

We have not been "locked out"...but the "auto access" for winning the conference is gone.

(08-29-2014 05:44 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  

(08-29-2014 04:28 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(08-29-2014 10:58 AM)#41 Wrote:  Cincinnati must not only remind national audiences that it's still relevant, but it also must convince recruits that it's better than the conference it plays in and must convince local fans that it remains worth supporting despite the fact that it's been locked out of the big-money bowls and national title picture.

I disagree with the bolded part and I'm not sure why UC fans in particular seem to think that way. We've actually got a pretty darn good shot at reaching the selection bowls this year and for the foreseeable future. And with our current schedule, IF we can somehow go undefeated, I think we'd have a VERY solid shot at the 4 team playoffs (although not playing and beating UCF might bite us depending upon what happens elsewhere). Of course that's a very tall order, but there's no shortcut to the 4 team playoffs for any team - most likely nobody from any conference is getting in with more than 1 loss.

In fact if I were currently a betting man, I'd be willing to bet that as of right now, UC has as good or likely better chance of playing in one of the selection bowls and/or the 4 team playoffs as soon or likely SOONER than any of our regional comp/rival schools in the P5 (e.g. relative newbies like WVU, UL, Pitt and long termers like IU, PU, ILL, UK...) Any hypothetical takers?

Of course I'd love to be in a P5 conference for many reasons - with tv money the dominating one. But looking strictly at the post season "big stage" possibilities, the current situation actually works reasonably well for us especially when compared to many of the P5 schools we tend to compete with for recruits.

we've been locked out in that we do not have an auto bid to a big boy bowl for our conference champ...yes we can get the bid if we are the best among the G5 but it's like this...in the Big East we were competing against 7 other teams for a BCS level bowl. Now we are competing against however many teams are in the G5, 65 teams?

Now, one can argue we have an easier path than the lower p5 teams...as if Wazzou, Wake, Iowa State, etc are going to sniff a major bowl...they won't.

We have not been "locked out"...but the "auto access" for winning the conference is gone.

The Big East doesn't exist anymore, all P5 conferences have at least 10 teams now and no conference gets an automatic bid to the playoffs. There's a whole new system in play with the committee so the past system is pretty much irrelevant for everybody at this point.

What matters is what happens going forward and I think it's fairly clear that we are actually pretty well positioned when it comes to the major/selection bowls. And as I mentioned, I'm not just talking about the lower tier programs that you identified. I think we are better positioned than most if not all middle tiered programs. Take two programs arguably justifiably "selected" ahead of us for the P5: UL and WVU. Anyone see them with even a plausible shot at the playoffs this year? What about the selection bowls - anyone see them with a better shot than UC at making one this year? Next year????

Even though I think many people underestimate the quality of the AAC there is no doubt that some P5 conferences are stronger. But that strength makes winning that much harder while basically affording even the "elite" programs only one loss (including the conference CGs) to still make the playoffs most likely. So the elite teams in the elite conferences will have a slightly higher margin for error (i.e. one loss compared to none for UC), but they'll also have a few more and higher hurdles to cross to get there. Bottom line is making the top 4 is going to be a tall order for any team regardless of conference affiliation. If we schedule well, I don't see us as having a particular disadvantage compared to any other program and I think we're actually better positioned than most G5 and P5 teams.

And "guaranteed" or not, I have every reason to believe that if we perform well enough we'll be treated fairly as far as getting a bid to a selection bowl (don't forget that 1 G5 bid is the minimum, but not the limit). Final bottom line on this subject: If you are a recruit and you highly value playing in a selection bowl or the playoffs, you've got as good and most likely better shot at doing that at UC than at probably any of our typical recruiting rivals including those in the P5 conferences (see my list in the above post). And that's without factoring in our current coaching stability which rivals that of ANY team in the country at a minimum.

I agree. AAU invite would be as huge as UC football having a great season...I am really excited about the team this year.

(08-29-2014 12:37 PM)colohank Wrote:  An AAU invitation would be equally nice. Being accepted and nationally recognized as a major research university opens up more options not only academically, but also athletically. All of the P5 conferences would like to improve their reputations across the entire spectrum of respectability.

Most critical year ever? Nah.
Have to kick everyone's butt by a convincing margin to make a statement? Nope.
Need to finish 12-0 and make the access bowl game? No.

What is critical is just winning games period and not how we win those games. When we play at Tulane on October 31st, for example, I don't care if we win by one point in double overtime, just get outta there with a win. An ugly win (on the road no less) still counts more than a loss. IMO, UC needs to at least match last year's regular season record (9-3) and get a bowl win (even if it is the Taco Bell Burrito Supreme Bowl) to remain in the "top dog still relevant G5 conversation." We will be vying for this distinction with several other teams especially since Boise State seems to have fallen back a step.

What is most critical in my estimation is not losing the momentum that this program has been building since Mark Dantonio's last season as head coach. Here are the records for UC football since that year:

2006: 8-5 (Bowl Win)
2007: 10-3 (Bowl Win)
2008: 11-3 (Bowl Loss)
2009: 12-1 (Bowl Loss)
2010: 4-8
2011: 10-3 (Bowl Win)
2012: 10-3 (Bowl Win)
2013: 9-4 (Bowl Loss)

What is apparent from this trend is a new coach comes in, has a transition year, and gets the system he wants in place and rolls with successful results. This "tradition" of recent success is already something we brag about and the media has picked up on in recent years, in particular the number of 10+ wins in a season. In moving forward, this momentum of winning has to continue not only this year but in the next several years when we have a renovated on-campus stadium that better have sell-outs and lots of energy with great atmosphere.

That 4-8 year still annoys me. That team was way too talented to be 4-8.