Bearcats Football Will Enjoy A Special Season
Whether you tend to be a glass half empty or glass half full kind of dude...pessimist, optimist, or somewhere in between [cautious indifference], this year's Bearcats football season is lining up to be one of the most special we've had since Brian Kelly's 12-0 campaign. Yes, I said it. Yes, I believe it. Sue me if you strongly disagree. We have a dedicated head coach that has purposefully, productively, strategically, and quietly built a rock strong football program in Year 3. He has brought accountability and rebuilt bridges to recruiting in the State of Ohio and beyond. We have depth in our position groups and talent across the board. We have a system on offense that favors a confident, productive running game and a stable of running studs to control the clock and wear down the opponent in the 4th quarter. We have the AAC Rookie of the Year returning to QB in Year 2 of his development. We have an improved special teams unit that is not led by a GA [Ben Notcoachinlong]. We have players that believe in their coach and a coach who believes in and motivates his players. We have a consistent, vested coaching staff that are great teachers and leaders of young men. We have an AD who is on the same page with our staff and vice versa. We have a schedule, that while challenging, is favorable to quality wins, provides a realistic path to the conference championship game, and is worthy of CFP consideration if all things fall the right way. Consider the following:
One home game and one "road trip" game against quality P5 opponents:
Thursday, Aug. 29 - UCLA, 7:00 PM
Saturday, Sep. 7 - at Ohio State, 12:00 PM
Two games at home against East Division foes that have given us fits of late [one in prime time]:
Friday, Oct. 4 - UCF, 8:00 PM
Saturday, Nov. 23 - Temple, Time TBA
Three quality conference road games:
Saturday, Oct. 12 - at Houston, Time TBA
Saturday, Nov. 16 - at USF, Time TBA
Friday, Nov. 29 - at Memphis, Time TBA
Of the remaining 5 games on the schedule, no FCS opponent:
Saturday, Sep. 14 - Miami (Ohio), 12:00 PM
Saturday, Sep. 28 - at Marshall, 5:00 PM
Saturday, Oct. 19 - Tulsa, Time TBA ET
Saturday, Nov. 2 - at East Carolina, Time TBA
Saturday, Nov. 9 - UConn, Time TBA
If there was ever a chance for the Bearcats to win the East and qualify for the AAC Championship it's this year. We must protect home field against UCF and Temple and no slip-ups against ECU and UConn for that to happen. Let's control our own destiny and not rely on other teams to punch our ticket to the chip game. If we do this, and we win the conference chip, then playing in the Cotton Bowl becomes a very real opportunity. I'm going to change my earlier outlook on this team and predict 10-2 for the regular season and winning the chip finishing 11-2 overall.
|