Helping to hoist that optimism is the fact that Cincinnati boasted one of the five youngest rosters in the sport, meaning they are set to bring back a big chunk of the production from this past year. That includes, it would seem, their upstart head coach and his talented staff. The offense alone returns seven regular starters, as well as a handful of intriguing options and more opportunities for some of the vaunted 2018 recruiting class to flourish in year two. Here’s an early look at how the Bearcats’ offense projects for 2019.
As much as UCF is the “big name” on our schedule in league play, Cincy will probably be a better team considering that McKenzie Milton probably doesn’t play next year.
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UCF is getting a grad transfer QB from Notre Dame, one who was the starter for the Irish in ‘17.
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The Bearcats remain a frighteningly young team in spite of the 11-2 record, but they do suffer some significant defensive losses, especially up front. Fickell has been adamant about establishing the strength of his program on the offensive and defensive lines, and it showed in 2018. Senior defensive tackles Marquise Copeland, Cortez Broughton and defensive end Kimoni Fitz led the way, with all three earning either first- or second-team all-conference honors. Replacing and duplicating their performances will be the biggest key to Cincinnati maintaining its newfound identity in 2019. With recent rumors that Freeman turned down a return to his alma mater Ohio State to stay at the helm of the Bearcats’ defense, they’re off to a good start.
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_Based on their Military Bowl depth chart, UC returns Trent Cloud, Rashad Medaris, Jerron Rollins, Thomas Geddis and Javan Hawes at receiver but will have to replace the 56 receptions and nine touchdowns from Khalil Lewis. Offensive linemen returning are left tackle Vincent McConnell, left guard Zach Bycznski, center Jakari Robinson (who started a few games), right guards Morgan James (starter) and Jeremy Cooper, right tackle (starter) Chris Ferguson. _
Michigan transfer James Hudson, a Toledo Central Catholic teammate of Warren II, will also be important in the offensive line mix. Hudson was able to participate in a few Military Bowl practices upon arrival to UC.
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There were many impressive aspects of UC’s 11-2 breakout season in 2018 and one of the more striking elements was that they did it with the third-youngest roster in all of college football. Naturally, the majority of that squad is back this season, many still with years of college football ahead of them. But the team is also fortunate to have invaluable experience at a handful of positions.
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Cincinnati Bearcats
Head coach : Fickell (15-10, third year)
2018 record and S&P+ ranking : 11-2 (50th)
Projected 2019 record and S&P+ ranking : 8-4 (44th)
Five key points :
1. Fickell’s second season at UC featured a freshman QB, a sophomore RB, a couple of key injuries … and a surge from four to 11 wins.
2. QB Desmond Ridder was a passing-downs magician, but inefficiency meant he had to pull a lot of rabbits out of hats. Is that sustainable?
3. Keeping Ridder out of passing downs will require more efficiency out of 1,300-yard rusher Michael Warren II and a rebuilt line. The potential is massive, though.
4. The defense combined aggressive on-ball pass defense and a dominant run front. The former will again be a strength, but attrition up front could threaten the latter.
5. The schedule, with three top-30 opponents and five more in the top 80, is full of both opportunity and peril. UC could improve but go 8-4.
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### Biggest on-field question
There are actually two, one on either side of the ball: defensive tackle and wide receiver.
The Bearcats had a lot more roster questions at this time last year than they do now, but one of the few areas the 2018 team always felt good about was the interior defensive line, thanks to seniors Cortez Broughton and Marquise Copeland. Those two are gone, forcing a rotating collection of Curtis Brooks, Elijah Ponder, Marcus Brown and Jabari Taylor to replace the combined 101 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and constant strain on opposing offensive lines by two all-conference performers. It’s an admittedly gargantuan task, and one that keeps Fickell and defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman up at night more often as the season draws closer.
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Cincinnati got two wr transfers from Ohio State. 6’5 and 6’6.
Looking ahead to this season, how will the offense be different?
We’re going to be a lot of the same when you watch us play. We’re going to have some new things we do, but the core of who we are as far as being an offensive line-driven program, as far as the toughness that we’re going to play the game with, those things aren’t going to change. What is changing a little bit is the development of the players. We’re going to be a year older and wiser and more experienced at a number of different positions. Those things all pay dividends. Sometimes after two consecutive pretty poor seasons, you get a little beat down as a player. Last year, as the year went along, you saw us offensively kind of continue to pick up speed, and I think that’s continued into the offseason. If we can keep the trajectory going, I don’t think there’s any limit to what we can do here offensively. It’ll be pretty exciting.
Cincinnati has a chance to be really good.
To me this conference reaches full potential when Cincinnati and ECU have top 30 programs. Cincinnati is probably there.
It’s such a double standard that p5 teams get credit for beating aac teams but the aac never gets credit as a whole.
Cincinnati Brings in a Dominant Backfield
https://mericanmania.com/f/cincinnati-brings-in-a-dominant-backfield
It will be very interesting to see how Fickell and Denbrock use all four backs. Warren will be the starter, but that is the only guarantee come week 1. If UC can use all these backs in the correct way, they will be tough to beat. QB Desmond Ridder is good enough to beat the defense over the top if they try to cheat up. Cincinnati has a real four headed monster just waiting to run wild this season.
Our QB is in the top 3 rushing TDs with RBs… so dynamic. Cronkrite is talented. Glad we aren’t seeing him again. Trading him for another nightmare to tackle in Warren.
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