(10-17-2017 09:55 AM)Crewdogz Wrote: Tony Pike said yesterday on Mo's show the Bearcats could run the table... of course he also gave the caveat that he is a fan and alum. He also said they could lose most if not all of the remaining games. I think if the weather were inclement it would give the Bearcats an advantage... I'm not sure how this one will go. I hope the Bearcats can pull it out.
I like his optimism and it would certainly reset expectations for the program in a very positive way. Realistically, four or five wins, total, on the ledger by season's end would be progress.
Agree with this. The reality is that the remainder of our schedule is not loaded with supremely talented teams. SMU is further along in their rebuild and with an explosive offense will be a tough team to beat. Tulane, ECU and UConn have been a mess the last few years and are not talented clubs. Temple is clearly suffering from a loss of talent last year as well as a new coaching staff. This staff needs to rack up some wins to keep the fanbase feeling optimistic about the rebuild efforts here.
Don't sleep on Tulane. I don't like our match up with them at all. They run the option and have a very athletic QB who will probably run for 150+ yards on us since we can't protect the edges.
At this point, I think that both SMU and Tulane are likely losses for our Bearcats. I think we beat Temple and UCONN at home and the game at ECU is a toss-up. We're not very good, folks. Anybody watching our games can see that we have a lot of deficiencies, and good teams are able to exploit them.
(10-17-2017 09:55 AM)Crewdogz Wrote: Tony Pike said yesterday on Mo's show the Bearcats could run the table... of course he also gave the caveat that he is a fan and alum. He also said they could lose most if not all of the remaining games. I think if the weather were inclement it would give the Bearcats an advantage... I'm not sure how this one will go. I hope the Bearcats can pull it out.
I like his optimism and it would certainly reset expectations for the program in a very positive way. Realistically, four or five wins, total, on the ledger by season's end would be progress.
Agree with this. The reality is that the remainder of our schedule is not loaded with supremely talented teams. SMU is further along in their rebuild and with an explosive offense will be a tough team to beat. Tulane, ECU and UConn have been a mess the last few years and are not talented clubs. Temple is clearly suffering from a loss of talent last year as well as a new coaching staff. This staff needs to rack up some wins to keep the fanbase feeling optimistic about the rebuild efforts here.
Don't sleep on Tulane. I don't like our match up with them at all. They run the option and have a very athletic QB who will probably run for 150+ yards on us since we can't protect the edges.
Oh I'm sure it'll be a challenge for us. Just saying they aren't an overly talented team. I'd hope we learned a thing or two from watching Navy scorch us play after play on the outside. And we'll have a bye week to prepare. For a team that averages 100 yards a game through the air, I'd rather us put LBs on their WRs if that's what it's going to take for us to shed blocks to get to the pitch man.
(10-17-2017 09:55 AM)Crewdogz Wrote: Tony Pike said yesterday on Mo's show the Bearcats could run the table... of course he also gave the caveat that he is a fan and alum. He also said they could lose most if not all of the remaining games. I think if the weather were inclement it would give the Bearcats an advantage... I'm not sure how this one will go. I hope the Bearcats can pull it out.
I like his optimism and it would certainly reset expectations for the program in a very positive way. Realistically, four or five wins, total, on the ledger by season's end would be progress.
Agree with this. The reality is that the remainder of our schedule is not loaded with supremely talented teams. SMU is further along in their rebuild and with an explosive offense will be a tough team to beat. Tulane, ECU and UConn have been a mess the last few years and are not talented clubs. Temple is clearly suffering from a loss of talent last year as well as a new coaching staff. This staff needs to rack up some wins to keep the fanbase feeling optimistic about the rebuild efforts here.
Don't sleep on Tulane. I don't like our match up with them at all. They run the option and have a very athletic QB who will probably run for 150+ yards on us since we can't protect the edges.
Oh I'm sure it'll be a challenge for us. Just saying they aren't an overly talented team. I'd hope we learned a thing or two from watching Navy scorch us play after play on the outside. And we'll have a bye week to prepare. For a team that averages 100 yards a game through the air, I'd rather us put LBs on their WRs if that's what it's going to take for us to shed blocks to get to the pitch man.
Yeah. For me, the games that will determine how I feel about this season is to get a win with either SMU or Tulane. One shows offensive improvement and the other shows style education. Taking what they learend with navy and applying it with Tulane.
After that, I see the final 3 games being wins. They are just struggling a whole lot more then we are at the moment.
Traffic info for those rolling into campus around noon .
Date: 10/16/2017 12:00:00 AM
By: John Bach
Phone: (513) 556-5224
Other Contact: Keith Stichtenoth
Other Contact Phone: (513) 556-3296
UC ingot
University of Cincinnati Homecoming activities Oct. 21 will feature the annual Homecoming parade around campus starting at noon and the football game versus Southern Methodist University at 4 p.m. at UC’s Nippert Stadium.
PARADE ROUTE AND STREET CLOSINGS
UC’s Homecoming parade at noon on Saturday, Oct. 21, will affect the following streets around campus:
Calhoun Street, between Vine Street and Clifton Avenue, will close at 11 a.m.
Clifton Avenue, between McMillan Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, will close at 11:30 a.m.
Eastbound traffic on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, between Clifton Avenue and Woodside Drive, will be restricted prior to the start of the parade. The eastbound right-hand lane (the lane closest to campus) will be closed; the middle and left-hand lanes will remain open. Westbound traffic will remain unaffected.
Also, entry into the Calhoun parking garage from Calhoun St. will be closed 90 minutes beginning at 11 a.m.; entry into the Clifton Court and Stratford parking garage from Clifton Ave. will be closed for 90 minutes beginning at 11:30 a.m. Get additional parking details (including the opportunity to purchase prepaid, discounted gameday parking) and gameday/tailgate details.
Parade lineup will occur the full length of Calhoun Street from Vine Street to Clifton Avenue. The parade route runs north from the corner of Calhoun and Clifton avenues to the intersection of Clifton and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. See the campus map.
All parking and regular driving routes will be reinstated near the Homecoming parade’s anticipated end by approximately 1:30 p.m.
Statistically, I expect the deck is stacked against UC this Saturday. All the more reason a close, exciting victory could energize a Homecoming crowd and breathe some life into the remainder of this season. Go 'Cats!
(10-19-2017 01:45 PM)Bruce Monnin Wrote: Oh, a win this week leads to at least 6-6 and a bowl game. Which would be amazing considering what we've seen lately.
I'm not counting on it, but hope springs eternal as I come to Nippert Saturday.
Sending this team to a bowl makes about as much sense a Harvard accepting a student with 1,000 SAT's
(10-19-2017 01:45 PM)Bruce Monnin Wrote: Oh, a win this week leads to at least 6-6 and a bowl game. Which would be amazing considering what we've seen lately.
I'm not counting on it, but hope springs eternal as I come to Nippert Saturday.
Sending this team to a bowl makes about as much sense a Harvard accepting a student with 1,000 SAT's
Just asking for a beat down.
Dud you must have inherited most of your money. At this stage it is not about the beat down they may get.Iit is about the coaches getting 15 more practices with the players. Right now that would be great for this program.
(10-19-2017 01:45 PM)Bruce Monnin Wrote: Oh, a win this week leads to at least 6-6 and a bowl game. Which would be amazing considering what we've seen lately.
I'm not counting on it, but hope springs eternal as I come to Nippert Saturday.
Sending this team to a bowl makes about as much sense a Harvard accepting a student with 1,000 SAT's
Just asking for a beat down.
Dud you must have inherited most of your money. At this stage it is not about the beat down they may get.Iit is about the coaches getting 15 more practices with the players. Right now that would be great for this program.
Quote:Why SMU is shaking up its defensive backfield against Cincinnati
By Adam Grosbard , Staff Writer Contact Adam Grosbardon Twitter:@AdamGrosbard
UNIVERSITY PARK -- Coming into the season, SMU knew it was playing with fire with the young pieces in the secondary. Junior Jordan Wyatt was surrounded by three sophomores in the starting lineup, with more underclassmen serving as second-stringers.
After six weeks, it seems that head coach Chad Morris is tired of being burnt by the unit, because he promises changes will be coming during Saturday's game against Cincinnati.
"The DBs have been very inconsistent. I've been very disappointed in the overall play there from the safeties to our corners," Morris chastised at his press conference Tuesday. "We're gonna move some guys around. We're gonna have some position changes, shake a few things up, try to get some guys' attention."
It's not that Morris thinks the position has been a black hole of production through SMU's 4-2 start. Safety Mikial Onu leads the team in tackles with 47. Wyatt proved his worth without playing against Connecticut, when SMU's pass defense stumbled without him.
The issue is consistency. Each of SMU's losses featured breakdowns by the secondary. There was the disastrous Hail Mary defense against TCU. Or maybe you're more bothered by the litany of missed tackles by Rodney Clemons and Christian Davis against Houston.
So then the issue comes down to consistency.
"To get where we want to get to, we've got to become a lot more productive in several key areas there and being more consistent would be a great start," Morris said.
Defensive coordinator Van Malone concurs with this diagnosis.
"The greatest teams, the greatest defensive teams, they are consistent," Malone explained. "When they are consistent and they have confidence, they make plays. When they make plays consistently, they have confidence. It's a cycle."
Cincinnati presents a good opportunity for the group to find some rhythm. The Bearcats rank in the bottom half of the FBS with 221.9 passing yards per game. Junior quarterback Hayden Moore has his own issues keeping a steady hand, throwing for 10 touchdowns and six interceptions this season. 6-foot Kahlil Lewis is the team's best receiver but has yet to record more than 89 yards in a game this season.
As for what the specific changes to the SMU rotation will be, Morris declined to share. Davis and Clemons appear to be the most vulnerable of the starters as their play left a lot to be desired in the two games before last week's bye.
Morris also sees room for improvement for SMU's most valuable player on defense, Wyatt. The corner is a member of SMU's leadership council but the third-year head coach wants to see Wyatt be more talkative on the field to help bring his younger teammates along.
"He's a great player but the challenge for him is to grow his game, to get himself better, he's got to become more of a vocal leader," Morris said.
The American's West Division is wide open, with each of the six teams possessing at least one loss. A strong finish to the season by SMU and enough chaos around them in the conference and the Mustangs could earn a spot in the championship game. In a conference that likes to air the ball out, though, SMU needs its secondary to be at the top of its game for that best-case scenario to become reality.
We'll see Saturday if the mix-up gives SMU the boost it needs down the stretch.
Quote:The biggest thing Cincinnati needs to do to pull off an upset over SMU
By Adam Grosbard , Staff Writer Contact Adam Grosbardon Twitter:@AdamGrosbard
In preparation for SMU's matchup against Cincinnati on Saturday, SportsDay spoke with Bearcats beat writer Tom Groeschen of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Here are some highlights.
How have you seen Hayden Moore develop as the starting quarterback?
Groeschen: "Hayden Moore is moving up the charts on the UC career passing list (5151 yards) but remains remarkably inconsistent. Has 30 career TD throws, 24 picks. Some good games, some not so good, some just bad. Never sure what you will get each week."
Cincinnati's rushing attack is ranked near the very bottom of the FBS. Is this a result of playing from behind or poor execution?
Groeschen: "I would say mostly poor execution. The blocking often hasn't been there. Also, sometimes the backs struggle to make their own yards. The offensive line was the biggest question mark entering the year, and is still finding its way. Playing from behind certainly does not help."
Who are the X-factors on the Bearcats' defense?
Groeschen: "DT Cortez Broughton is a hammer, their best player over there. Middle LB Jaylin Minor piles up tackles, with a course plenty of tackles to be had over there. But he also is a very solid, fly-around defender. Pass rush remains an issue. DBs have had trouble covering and been beaten for several deep balls. Lack of QB pressures plays into that too."
What needs to happen for Cincinnati to pull off an upset against SMU?
Groeschen: "They must find a way to contain the potent SMU offense, or it will be a long day. The memory of UCF scoring on all 8 of their possessions two weeks ago remains fresh, although they did keep USF from running wild last week, relatively speaking.. UC absolutely must not turn the ball over. The Bearcats could pull an upset if they sustain some drives and make TDs instead of FGs in the red zone. The defense, in turn, must force some turnovers to give the offense more chances."
(10-20-2017 03:47 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote: No sh_t Sherlock...
Quote:The biggest thing Cincinnati needs to do to pull off an upset over SMU
By Adam Grosbard , Staff Writer Contact Adam Grosbardon Twitter:@AdamGrosbard
In preparation for SMU's matchup against Cincinnati on Saturday, SportsDay spoke with Bearcats beat writer Tom Groeschen of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Here are some highlights.
How have you seen Hayden Moore develop as the starting quarterback?
Groeschen: "Hayden Moore is moving up the charts on the UC career passing list (5151 yards) but remains remarkably inconsistent. Has 30 career TD throws, 24 picks. Some good games, some not so good, some just bad. Never sure what you will get each week."
Cincinnati's rushing attack is ranked near the very bottom of the FBS. Is this a result of playing from behind or poor execution?
Groeschen: "I would say mostly poor execution. The blocking often hasn't been there. Also, sometimes the backs struggle to make their own yards. The offensive line was the biggest question mark entering the year, and is still finding its way. Playing from behind certainly does not help."
Who are the X-factors on the Bearcats' defense?
Groeschen: "DT Cortez Broughton is a hammer, their best player over there. Middle LB Jaylin Minor piles up tackles, with a course plenty of tackles to be had over there. But he also is a very solid, fly-around defender. Pass rush remains an issue. DBs have had trouble covering and been beaten for several deep balls. Lack of QB pressures plays into that too."
What needs to happen for Cincinnati to pull off an upset against SMU?
Groeschen: "They must find a way to contain the potent SMU offense, or it will be a long day. The memory of UCF scoring on all 8 of their possessions two weeks ago remains fresh, although they did keep USF from running wild last week, relatively speaking.. UC absolutely must not turn the ball over. The Bearcats could pull an upset if they sustain some drives and make TDs instead of FGs in the red zone. The defense, in turn, must force some turnovers to give the offense more chances."