UC Bearcats struggling, but bowl game in reach
Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 3:52 p.m. EDT October 9, 2014

The Cincinnati Bearcats could fall to a 2-3 season record when they visit the favored Miami Hurricanes on Saturday, and questions already are starting about whether UC will become bowl-eligible.

The injury situation is growing worrisome, with quarterback Gunner Kiel (bruised ribs) among the ailing Bearcats and several key players out for the year, including running back Tion Green and right tackle Cory Keebler.

UC was the preseason media pick to win the American Athletic Conference football title, but last week's 41-14 home loss to Memphis does not exactly inspire confidence. Yet, a look at the remaining schedule shows the Bearcats should have a solid chance of finishing above the .500 mark.

The trip to Miami will be the Bearcats' last non-league game this year. A glance at the remaining schedule:

Saturday at Miami, Florida (3-3): The Hurricanes are not the fearsome Miami of old, with a true freshman quarterback (Brad Kaaya) and a porous run defense. Running back Duke Johnson is one of Miami's best ever. FORECAST: Miami is favored by 16 ½ points, up from 14 ½ earlier this week.

Oct. 18 at SMU (0-5, 0-1 AAC): Coach June Jones unexpectedly resigned after just two games, and the Mustangs are an absolute mess. SMU has been outscored 247-36 on the year. FORECAST: UC will be a heavy favorite.

Oct. 24 vs. USF (2-3, 1-0 AAC): The Bulls are better than last year's 2-10 club, which upset UC for one of its wins. USF is not a league title contender, but coach Tommy Tuberville will have UC on high alert after last year. FORECAST: UC should be favored at home.

Oct. 31 at Tulane (1-4, 0-1 AAC): League newcomer Tulane has long been a non-factor on the national scene. What possibly could go wrong, on a Halloween Friday night in haunted New Orleans? FORECAST: UC should be favored in a potential "trap" game.

Nov. 13 vs. East Carolina (4-1, 1-0 AAC): QB Shane Carden and the Pirates are No. 19 in the AP poll. ECU upset then-No. 17 Virginia Tech and then-No. 25 North Carolina in consecutive weeks. Very good club here. FORECAST: UC shapes up as the underdog in a Thursday night game at Paul Brown Stadium.

Nov. 22 at Connecticut (1-4, 0-2 AAC): Former UC defensive coordinator Bob Diaco has a major rebuild on his hands, in his first year at Uconn. The Huskies lost 36-10 in their last game to Temple. At home. FORECAST: UC should be a solid favorite.

Nov. 29 at Temple (3-1, 1-0 AAC): Speaking of trap games, here is Trap with a capital T. The Owls have a good young quarterback in P.J. Walker and already have surpassed last year's two wins. FORECAST: Call UC a slight favorite, in what should be a tough one.

Dec. 6 vs. Houston (2-3, 0-1 AAC): The Cougars have been a disappointment, including a loss to Texas San-Antonio. Houston was billed in preseason as one of the AAC elite, but the benching of QB John O'Korn does not bode well. FORECAST: UC should be favored, unless UH gets its act together.

Final tally: UC might go 8-4, based loosely on the forecast above. That would get the Bearcats into a bowl, which would be fabulous considering UC this week stares at a three-game losing streak.

Quote:UC at Miami (Fla.)

Saturday at Sun Life Stadium, noon

TV: Fox Sports Ohio (ACC Regional Sports Network)

Records: UC 2-2, Miami 3-3

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../16983545/

I am still amazed articles like this are required this year.

With the worst D in CFB it's hard to pick us to win any game. But I'm still hoping for the turn around. I was born an optimist and I'll die an - - I'm not going to die.

Bowl game is in reach? We better worry about trying to win the next few games or this season will soon get flushed down the poo poo highway. Just substitute Tubs for Jim Mora and the words "bowl game" for "playoffs" in the video...

8-4 !?!?

This team's absolute ceiling is 7-5 and that is being generous. Losses to Miami, ECU and Temple are stone cold locks.

(10-09-2014 08:35 PM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  8-4 !?!?

This team's absolute ceiling is 7-5 and that is being generous. Losses to Miami, ECU and Temple are stone cold locks.

I'd be willing to bet we win one of those 3. Calling Temple a lock loss is a complete overreaction.

Right now I'd take 6-6....

gawd we've fallen.....

A bowl game is no accomplishment whatsoever considering how weak this league and schedule are. The talent on the roster is way too good just to settle and be content with a "bowl".

(10-10-2014 06:55 AM)Marcus Wrote:  A bowl game is no accomplishment whatsoever considering how weak this league and schedule are. The talent on the roster is way too good just to settle and be content with a "bowl".

yup...especially the AAC bowls which by in large totally suck

(10-10-2014 06:55 AM)Marcus Wrote:  A bowl game is no accomplishment whatsoever considering how weak this league and schedule are. The talent on the roster is way too good just to settle and be content with a "bowl".

100% agree. If just making a bowl in this league is the goal, jeez we have fallen. My benchmark is 10 wins, maybe 9. With that said I do not see this team winning 7 games this year.

(10-10-2014 11:39 AM)bearcatmill Wrote:  

(10-10-2014 06:55 AM)Marcus Wrote:  A bowl game is no accomplishment whatsoever considering how weak this league and schedule are. The talent on the roster is way too good just to settle and be content with a "bowl".

100% agree. If just making a bowl in this league is the goal, jeez we have fallen. My benchmark is 10 wins, maybe 9. With that said I do not see this team winning 7 games this year.

I agree that a bowl game shouldn't be the goal for this program. I also think at this point in the year a bowl game is probably the goal for this team.

At this point to get to 8 wins UC's play will have to drastically improve. Though I think that would be a disappointment as a season at least it would likely mean the defense showed signs of life for next season.

(10-10-2014 06:53 AM)uccheese Wrote:  

(10-09-2014 08:35 PM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  8-4 !?!?

This team's absolute ceiling is 7-5 and that is being generous. Losses to Miami, ECU and Temple are stone cold locks.

I'd be willing to bet we win one of those 3. Calling Temple a lock loss is a complete overreaction.

And calling us a 'trap game' is equally ridiculous.

(10-10-2014 12:13 PM)JHG722 Wrote:  

(10-10-2014 06:53 AM)uccheese Wrote:  

(10-09-2014 08:35 PM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  8-4 !?!?

This team's absolute ceiling is 7-5 and that is being generous. Losses to Miami, ECU and Temple are stone cold locks.

I'd be willing to bet we win one of those 3. Calling Temple a lock loss is a complete overreaction.

And calling us a 'trap game' is equally ridiculous.

My guess is temple will be favored at home in this game.

Getting a bowl is important for several reasons if you stop and think about it. First it's a nice perk for the seniors to get away and get to do some activities, get a little swag, etc.... and even more importantly, you get 15 extra practices, a lot of which is spent with underclassmen to get them ready for the next season. Even though he couldn't suit up and travel to the bowl last year Kiel took a ton of snaps in the practices.

(10-10-2014 01:16 PM)Racinejake Wrote:  

(10-10-2014 12:13 PM)JHG722 Wrote:  

(10-10-2014 06:53 AM)uccheese Wrote:  

(10-09-2014 08:35 PM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  8-4 !?!?

This team's absolute ceiling is 7-5 and that is being generous. Losses to Miami, ECU and Temple are stone cold locks.

I'd be willing to bet we win one of those 3. Calling Temple a lock loss is a complete overreaction.

And calling us a 'trap game' is equally ridiculous.

My guess is temple will be favored at home in this game.

I dont know about that, but the dude is making it sound like you'll be favored by 2 TDs and we could 'shock' you.

(10-10-2014 01:35 PM)JHG722 Wrote:  

(10-10-2014 01:16 PM)Racinejake Wrote:  

(10-10-2014 12:13 PM)JHG722 Wrote:  

(10-10-2014 06:53 AM)uccheese Wrote:  

(10-09-2014 08:35 PM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  8-4 !?!?

This team's absolute ceiling is 7-5 and that is being generous. Losses to Miami, ECU and Temple are stone cold locks.

I'd be willing to bet we win one of those 3. Calling Temple a lock loss is a complete overreaction.

And calling us a 'trap game' is equally ridiculous.

My guess is temple will be favored at home in this game.

I dont know about that, but the dude is making it sound like you'll be favored by 2 TDs and we could 'shock' you.

What are you talking about. He was suggesting it would be a lock for Temple, not UC. Who are you even responding to?

(10-10-2014 01:43 PM)uccheese Wrote:  

(10-10-2014 01:35 PM)JHG722 Wrote:  

(10-10-2014 01:16 PM)Racinejake Wrote:  

(10-10-2014 12:13 PM)JHG722 Wrote:  

(10-10-2014 06:53 AM)uccheese Wrote:  I'd be willing to bet we win one of those 3. Calling Temple a lock loss is a complete overreaction.

And calling us a 'trap game' is equally ridiculous.

My guess is temple will be favored at home in this game.

I dont know about that, but the dude is making it sound like you'll be favored by 2 TDs and we could 'shock' you.

What are you talking about. He was suggesting it would be a lock for Temple, not UC. Who are you even responding to?

I think he's referring to Groeschen's article.

(10-10-2014 02:18 PM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  

(10-10-2014 01:43 PM)uccheese Wrote:  

(10-10-2014 01:35 PM)JHG722 Wrote:  

(10-10-2014 01:16 PM)Racinejake Wrote:  

(10-10-2014 12:13 PM)JHG722 Wrote:  And calling us a 'trap game' is equally ridiculous.

My guess is temple will be favored at home in this game.

I dont know about that, but the dude is making it sound like you'll be favored by 2 TDs and we could 'shock' you.

What are you talking about. He was suggesting it would be a lock for Temple, not UC. Who are you even responding to?

I think he's referring to Groeschen's article.

ahhh that makes more sense. My apologies JHG

Indeed