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Someone told me Desmond Howard was on Gameday and predicted the Bearcats in the CFP!

(09-05-2020 12:43 PM)jarr Wrote:  Someone told me Desmond Howard was on Gameday and predicted the Bearcats in the CFP!

He said the Cincinnati was a darkhorse for the CFP.

(09-05-2020 07:58 PM)mptnstr@44 Wrote:  

(09-05-2020 12:43 PM)jarr Wrote:  Someone told me Desmond Howard was on Gameday and predicted the Bearcats in the CFP!

He said the Cincinnati was a darkhorse for the CFP.

True. And then at then end when all the commentators were asked to pick their CFP he had us playing Clemson in the CFP. So he had us in his official CFP picks.

He actually had them in his bracket, playing Clemson

Now this article from ESPN. Wow, expectations are through the roof...hope we can live up. 1 loss CFP - that's batshit crazy right?

AAC champion: Cincinnati
Offensive player of the year: Shane Buechele, QB, SMU
Defensive player of the year: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Offensive freshman of the year: Tahj Washington, WR, Memphis
Defensive freshman of the year: Corey Thornton, CB, UCF
Comeback player of the year: James Wiggins, S, Cincinnati
Best offensive transfer: Danny Gray, WR, SMU (via Blinn College)
Best defensive transfer: JoVanni Stewart, S, Houston (via West Virginia)
Coach of the year: Ryan Silverfield, Memphis
Coach on the hot seat: Philip Montgomery, Tulsa
Coordinator on the rise: Marcus Freeman, defensive coordinator, Cincinnati
Game of the year: Cincinnati at UCF, Nov. 21
Nonconference game of the year: Army vs. Navy, Dec. 12
Upset of the year: Temple over UCF, Nov. 14

Three predictions for the AAC

1. Cincinnati is a CFP contender: Any of the top three AAC teams are good enough to win the league. But because defense still wins championships, I'll go with the Bearcats, who are going to be exceptional on that side of the ball. The Bearcats lost to Memphis twice last season, but Tigers coach Mike Norvell took the Florida State job and star tailback Kenneth Gainwell opted out. Cincinnati plays three of its more difficult AAC games on the road -- at SMU, UCF and Temple -- but hosts Memphis. With only one loss, Cincinnati will be a legitimate CFP contender and might become the first team from a non-Power 5 league to grab one of the four spots.

2. Two AAC teams in New Year's Six bowl games: The AAC likes to think of itself as the sixth Power 5 conference, and it might have an argument by season's end. Two of its teams could end up playing in New Year's Six bowl games if the chips fall right. If Cincinnati wins the AAC and doesn't make the CFP, the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl might be its postseason destination. Either Memphis or UCF might have a chance at another New Year's Six bowl spot. I'll go with UCF in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, where it knocked off Auburn 34-27 in 2018.

3. SMU's Shane Buechele is the top quarterback in Texas: Texas' Sam Ehlinger and Texas A&M's Kellen Mond might be bigger names, but Buechele is going to put up massive numbers in Mustangs coach Sonny Dykes' pass-happy offense. After losing the starting job to Ehlinger at Texas, Buechele resurrected his career at SMU, passing for 3,929 yards with 34 touchdowns last season. Buechele will have a great opportunity to establish himself as a sleeper candidate for the Heisman Trophy at TCU on Sept. 11.

We better get this season played. This team could be so special.

Dodd has uc as his fourth playoff pick.

I'd argue we're actually better suited for a playoff run next season. A win over a potentially Top 10 ND team on the road is exactly what a G5 team would need to break through. A lot of analysts seem to think the oddity of this year will make the conditions ripe for a G5, though, so maybe we can reap the benefits a year early.

add another to the list.. the hype train is rolling fast!

(09-08-2020 01:55 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  I'd argue we're actually better suited for a playoff run next season. A win over a potentially Top 10 ND team on the road is exactly what a G5 team would need to break through. A lot of analysts seem to think the oddity of this year will make the conditions ripe for a G5, though, so maybe we can reap the benefits a year early.

Based on schedule, not on what we’ll have on the roster. On defense we’re looking at losses of Wiggins, Forrest, Coby Bryant, Beavers, Dublanko, White, Pitts, Sanders (Declare early?), Ponder and Curtis. That’s basically the whole unit. On offense Hudson will be headed to the NFL. James Smith will be headed to the league too.

(09-08-2020 02:51 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(09-08-2020 01:55 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  I'd argue we're actually better suited for a playoff run next season. A win over a potentially Top 10 ND team on the road is exactly what a G5 team would need to break through. A lot of analysts seem to think the oddity of this year will make the conditions ripe for a G5, though, so maybe we can reap the benefits a year early.

Based on schedule, not on what we’ll have on the roster. On defense we’re looking at losses of Wiggins, Forrest, Coby Bryant, Beavers, Dublanko, White, Pitts, Sanders (Declare early?), Ponder and Curtis. That’s basically the whole unit. On offense Hudson will be headed to the NFL. James Smith will be headed to the league too.

Yep...it'll have to be a 2009 type season where we just end up outscoring everyone. Our defense could be ROUGH next year.

I'm not so sure. I'm worried about the loss of Wiggins and Forrest in the backfield, and while I think White, Beavers, and Bryant are all important, they are also replaceable. If Arquon Bush, Taj Ward, and Hicks all play well this year the defensive backfield might not be terrible. The D-line is much different in that we have so much depth, even big losses like Myjai and the interior guys could be salvaged in some capacity.

Regardless, I'm more thinking about how a potential upset of ND would play in the eyes of a committee. We will have a veteran at QB, a solid backfield, a much bigger O-line (loss of Hudson) will hurt, and so on. I don't think we will be better than this year but the stars might align a bit better for us.

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(09-08-2020 03:16 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  I'm not so sure. I'm worried about the loss of Wiggins and Forrest in the backfield, and while I think White, Beavers, and Bryant are all important, they are also replaceable. If Arquon Bush, Taj Ward, and Hicks all play well this year the defensive backfield might not be terrible. The D-line is much different in that we have so much depth, even big losses like Myjai and the interior guys could be salvaged in some capacity.

Regardless, I'm more thinking about how a potential upset of ND would play in the eyes of a committee. We will have a veteran at QB, a solid backfield, a much bigger O-line (loss of Hudson) will hurt, and so on. I don't think we will be better than this year but the stars might align a bit better for us.

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I think you guys are out over your skis by saying Hudson is declaring early. This will literally be his first season playing college football at the OT spot...he's extremely athletic and strong, I know that better than anyone else on this board, but he's an OL, and there are not a ton of them who declare early, and the ones who do are normally first rounders.

I actually just assumed he was a Senior. My mistake.

(09-08-2020 03:28 PM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(09-08-2020 03:16 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  I'm not so sure. I'm worried about the loss of Wiggins and Forrest in the backfield, and while I think White, Beavers, and Bryant are all important, they are also replaceable. If Arquon Bush, Taj Ward, and Hicks all play well this year the defensive backfield might not be terrible. The D-line is much different in that we have so much depth, even big losses like Myjai and the interior guys could be salvaged in some capacity.

Regardless, I'm more thinking about how a potential upset of ND would play in the eyes of a committee. We will have a veteran at QB, a solid backfield, a much bigger O-line (loss of Hudson) will hurt, and so on. I don't think we will be better than this year but the stars might align a bit better for us.

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I think you guys are out over your skis by saying Hudson is declaring early. This will literally be his first season playing college football at the OT spot...he's extremely athletic and strong, I know that better than anyone else on this board, but he's an OL, and there are not a ton of them who declare early, and the ones who do are normally first rounders.

I hope your right. I still stand by my comment on the ‘21 defense though. The back fills will be talented but will not have the experience. It’s not just today’s second wave guys like Hicks and Vann, it’s today’s third wave who will be thrusted into the second wave next year.

(09-08-2020 01:55 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  I'd argue we're actually better suited for a playoff run next season. A win over a potentially Top 10 ND team on the road is exactly what a G5 team would need to break through. A lot of analysts seem to think the oddity of this year will make the conditions ripe for a G5, though, so maybe we can reap the benefits a year early.

In a normal year an undefeated season could still have us on the outside looking in.

The Big 10 Playoff spot is up for grabs and with the PAC also out, that's the only reason why these guys are putting UC in the playoffs essentially picking the best of the rest. Lets not kid ourselves.

With that said, lets make history this year

(09-08-2020 06:20 PM)Intimidate Dominate Celebrate Wrote:  

(09-08-2020 01:55 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  I'd argue we're actually better suited for a playoff run next season. A win over a potentially Top 10 ND team on the road is exactly what a G5 team would need to break through. A lot of analysts seem to think the oddity of this year will make the conditions ripe for a G5, though, so maybe we can reap the benefits a year early.

In a normal year an undefeated season could still have us on the outside looking in.

The Big 10 Playoff spot is up for grabs and with the PAC also out, that's the only reason why these guys are putting UC in the playoffs essentially picking the best of the rest. Lets not kid ourselves.

With that said, lets make history this year

Yeah, even in a season with an asterisk, getting into the playoff is a huge opportunity. All we have to do is be competitive in the semifinal to garner respect and extra consideration for NY6 and CFP spots in the future.

(09-08-2020 03:28 PM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(09-08-2020 03:16 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  I'm not so sure. I'm worried about the loss of Wiggins and Forrest in the backfield, and while I think White, Beavers, and Bryant are all important, they are also replaceable. If Arquon Bush, Taj Ward, and Hicks all play well this year the defensive backfield might not be terrible. The D-line is much different in that we have so much depth, even big losses like Myjai and the interior guys could be salvaged in some capacity.

Regardless, I'm more thinking about how a potential upset of ND would play in the eyes of a committee. We will have a veteran at QB, a solid backfield, a much bigger O-line (loss of Hudson) will hurt, and so on. I don't think we will be better than this year but the stars might align a bit better for us.

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I think you guys are out over your skis by saying Hudson is declaring early. This will literally be his first season playing college football at the OT spot...he's extremely athletic and strong, I know that better than anyone else on this board, but he's an OL, and there are not a ton of them who declare early, and the ones who do are normally first rounders.

As I said a year ago around this time about Mike Warren, if you are expecting Hudson to be a Bearcat next season you are very likely to be disappointed...

(09-08-2020 09:41 PM)GameTime_21 Wrote:  As I said a year ago around this time about Mike Warren, if you are expecting Hudson to be a Bearcat next season you are very likely to be disappointed...

Agreed. Total stud. No reason to stick around if you are projected to be picked. You could see it after watching him for 1 quarter in the bowl game. Plays at a different level.

(09-08-2020 06:27 PM)robertfoshizzle Wrote:  

(09-08-2020 06:20 PM)Intimidate Dominate Celebrate Wrote:  

(09-08-2020 01:55 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  I'd argue we're actually better suited for a playoff run next season. A win over a potentially Top 10 ND team on the road is exactly what a G5 team would need to break through. A lot of analysts seem to think the oddity of this year will make the conditions ripe for a G5, though, so maybe we can reap the benefits a year early.

In a normal year an undefeated season could still have us on the outside looking in.

The Big 10 Playoff spot is up for grabs and with the PAC also out, that's the only reason why these guys are putting UC in the playoffs essentially picking the best of the rest. Lets not kid ourselves.

With that said, lets make history this year

Yeah, even in a season with an asterisk, getting into the playoff is a huge opportunity. All we have to do is be competitive in the semifinal to garner respect and extra consideration for NY6 and CFP spots in the future.

Getting into the playoffs MIGHT have an asterix. Might.

But playing Clemson close in a playoff game will not have an asterix. So many playoff games have been blowouts that people will remember if we play them competitively.

And no one will use the Auburn '17 excuse that the other team had nothing to play for.