The Cincinnati Bearcats parlayed a soft schedule into a nice 9-4 season, but they did struggle at the end of the year when the schedule got tougher. Now the Bearcats are in the 2nd year of Tommy's system and with plenty of talent returning they should be ready to take the next step and that would be the American Athletic Conference Title.
The Bearcats did not face a team with a winning record until their 10th game of the season and they ended the year on a sour note, losing to Louisville in the season final and then getting blasted by the Tar Heels in the Belk Bowl. The offense should be improved this year, especially if Notre Dame transfer Gunner Keil is as god as advertised. He has a solid ground game to feed the ball to and plenty of weapons to throw to, while the OL is rated the best in the AAC. The defense for the Bearcats will be tough again, but probably won’t rank 9th in the nation like last year’s group did. Still they have one of the best front 7s in the AAC and even with a weak secondary, they should finish in the top 20 in total defense this year. The special teams were pretty weak for the Bearcats last year, but they have most of their players back for this year, so I look for improved play from the specialty unit.
The Schedule is pretty soft again, as they avoid both Central Florida and Tulsa in the AAC and their road games that include Temple, UConn, SMU and Tulane, are all winnable. The Bearcats have a chance for a big season this year. With the addition of Gunner Keil and a top 20 defense, plus the fact that they are in the 2nd year of Tommy’s system, I can see this team posting double digit wins this year and taking the AAC crown from a UCF team that I expect to take a small step back this year. KEY TREND: The Bearcats are 8-2 ATS when playing the 2nd of BB road games.
2014 Cincinnati Bearcats Schedule
9/12 -- Vs. Toledo (Friday)
9/20 -- Vs. Miami (OH)
9/27 -- @ Ohio State
10/4 -- Vs. Memphis
10/11 -- @ Miami (FL)
10/18 -- @ SMU
10/24 -- Vs. USF (Friday)
10/31 -- @ Tulane (Friday)
11/8 -- BYE
11/15 -- Vs. East Carolina
11/22 -- @ UConn
11/29 -- @ Temple
12/6 -- Vs. Houston
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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