As much as most of us hate the entire P5/G5 dichotomy, so long as we're living in this world, it's best to consistently be at the top of the heap. Cincinnati being ranked, picked to win the conference, picked for a NY6 bowl or having our defense recognized in this way, keeps our brand top of mind among followers of college football. I've come to believe it may be a necessary condition for advancing to the P5 or whatever top tier is re-formed for college football in the coming years.
(06-24-2020 01:49 PM)dubcat14 Wrote: I'd like to think you could say the same about our defensive backfield too? At least 3 future NFLers getting good playing time.
Yeah, I would have expected this about the defensive backfield. D-line is a bit of a surprise but I think we all expect an elite defense this year.
(06-24-2020 01:49 PM)dubcat14 Wrote: I'd like to think you could say the same about our defensive backfield too? At least 3 future NFLers getting good playing time.
Yeah, I would have expected this about the defensive backfield. D-line is a bit of a surprise but I think we all expect an elite defense this year.
I'm not surprised. We return the entire two deep and have some underclassmen who are good enough to knock on the door. I expect 2-3 of the guys on the starting DL to be playing on Sundays soon.
(06-24-2020 01:49 PM)dubcat14 Wrote: I'd like to think you could say the same about our defensive backfield too? At least 3 future NFLers getting good playing time.
Yeah, I would have expected this about the defensive backfield. D-line is a bit of a surprise but I think we all expect an elite defense this year.
I'm not surprised. We return the entire two deep and have some underclassmen who are good enough to knock on the door. I expect 2-3 of the guys on the starting DL to be playing on Sundays soon.
I'm not surprised either. FWIW, I posted several weeks ago Athlon Sports' all conference team projections and both Elijah Ponder [DT 6-3 275 Sr.] and Myjai Sanders [DE 6-5 258 Jr.] made first team. Curtis Brooks [DT 6-2 295 Sr.] made fourth team. That's not including Malik Vann, Jabari Taylor, Marcus Brown and others. I believe the other factor in our DL buzz [and in the defense in general] is the fact we may have the best young DC in the nation. Yes, I said in the entire NATION. The defense will be NASTY of a beast to deal with this season.
(06-24-2020 04:08 PM)Bear Catlett Wrote: Isn't this similar to "Sixteen Candles" when Ted tells Samantha that he's "the leader of the geeks" and she says "I guess that's kinda cool".
However, while the money is all in the P5, I still think this big fish n a small pond might be the way to go for name recognition.
Said it before and I'll say it again. Who has the best chance at getting to a NY6 bowl? IU, UK or UC?
UC, obviously. Playing devil's advocate those two schools go 7-5 they are playing in a more prestigious bowl than the 2nd place AAC team, plus they would have played Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, etc. during the regular season which is basically a bowl experience in itself.
(06-24-2020 07:50 PM)Bearcatbdub Wrote: The first guy who tests positive for covid will destroy the whole season. I see this coming a mile away. Nice to get some preseason hype though.
(06-24-2020 08:57 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote: Every year we have this man is a max bonus for our defense and for our program overall...
I totally agree, but I didn't always feel that way. I had my doubts during his first year when we were straight up bullied by Navy, and couldn't even slow down UCF's offense (thank god for the storm that stopped the game early).
06-24-2020 09:15 PM
BearcatMan
Kicking Connoisseur/Occasional Man Crush
Posts: 24,207
Joined: Jan 2009
Reputation: 590
I Root For: Cincinnati
Location:
(06-24-2020 08:57 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote: Every year we have this man is a max bonus for our defense and for our program overall...
I totally agree, but I didn't always feel that way. I had my doubts during his first year when we were straight up bullied by Navy, and couldn't even slow down UCF's offense (thank god for the storm that stopped the game early).
It wasnt until the next season when they were able to completely shut down Navy specifically with adjustments made by the coaches to defend against the Triple O where I thought we had a good one...since then, I've been thrilled with nearly everything the defense has done.
(06-24-2020 04:08 PM)Bear Catlett Wrote: Isn't this similar to "Sixteen Candles" when Ted tells Samantha that he's "the leader of the geeks" and she says "I guess that's kinda cool".
However, while the money is all in the P5, I still think this big fish n a small pond might be the way to go for name recognition.
Said it before and I'll say it again. Who has the best chance at getting to a NY6 bowl? IU, UK or UC?
UC, obviously. Playing devil's advocate those two schools go 7-5 they are playing in a more prestigious bowl than the 2nd place AAC team, plus they would have played Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, etc. during the regular season which is basically a bowl experience in itself.
I disagree. There is a place for a team like UC to rise above the G5 group. As long as CLF stays, we could make a run of consistent NY6 appearances and win some along the way. Do that and it will be clear we are a P5 caliber program.
(06-24-2020 08:57 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote: Every year we have this man is a max bonus for our defense and for our program overall...
I totally agree, but I didn't always feel that way. I had my doubts during his first year when we were straight up bullied by Navy, and couldn't even slow down UCF's offense (thank god for the storm that stopped the game early).
It wasnt until the next season when they were able to completely shut down Navy specifically with adjustments made by the coaches to defend against the Triple O where I thought we had a good one...since then, I've been thrilled with nearly everything the defense has done.
Truth be told, many on the board felt similarly about the head coach. That first year was a tough transition from the previous regime and you did have a very young coaching staff getting their feet wet. Amazing to think about that year and then going to the other end of CLF saying no to MSU just a few months back. I'm so thankful how it all turned out. Damn grateful.
Ponder definitely looks like an NFL guy in those highlights. Sanders add some more “muscle weight” and needs to become more of a sure tackler.
I’m going to be on the lookout for Michael Pitts this year as well. I always thought he had a ton of potential. IIRC he had some injuries last year and we all know his boneheaded penalties. If he has a good year I think he still can get drafted mid to late though.
(This post was last modified: 06-25-2020 10:25 PM by natibeast21.)
06-25-2020 10:24 PM
BearcatMan
Kicking Connoisseur/Occasional Man Crush
Posts: 24,207
Joined: Jan 2009
Reputation: 590
I Root For: Cincinnati
Location:
The thing this DL has that I haven't seen since probably 2008 or 2009 is EVERY type of DL player, it truly is the most complete DL we've had in awhile, and nearly all were brought in by this staff...you've got a true speed rusher (Sanders), hole plugger (Brown), interior rusher (Ponder), Edge setter (Vann), All-rounders (Brooks and Taylor), and a couple of guys who are good out of the 2 or 3 point (Pitts and Tucky). That's without even adding in Hawthorne and Ruffin, who both LOOK the part.
/
Maxwell FB Club: UC Best DL in G5
