Well, I guess we know now how much Brian Kelly meant to the Cincinnati Bearcats. With Kelly’s move to Notre Dame, the Bearcats suffered. BTW, wtf is a Bearcat? Is it a bear or a cat? Or some type of creature engineered by the genetic splicing of that creepy old DNA scientist on “South Park?”
One thing Cincinnati has going for them is Shaq! Yes, Shaq Daddy, Shaq Diesel, Shaq Fu: Da Return, the Shaqtus. Because they have a freshman receiver named Shaq Washington ready to contribute to what should be a very explosive receiving corps.
2010 was: pretty mediocre in most areas other than the passing game and pass defense. Cincy could throw the pill all over the field, but they also allowed their opponents to do the same. After a BcS trip and two Big East titles, the Bearcats took a serious hit to 4-8, 2-5 in a very weak conference
BMOCs: QB Zach Collaros- who has arguably the strongest arm in the league. Cincy did not miss a beat there after the loss of Tony Pike. WRs Kenbrell Thompkins and DJ Wood. The former is a Tennessee transfer that they have been anxiously awaiting for over a year. LB JK Schaffer and Derek Wolfe, two Nagurski award candidates
2011 will be fruitful if: Co-Defensive coordinators Tim Banks and Jon Jancek can figure they way around a weak secondary and lack of depth in the linebacking corps. Coach Butch Jones believes his DL is one of the team’s strengths. We’ll see. The offense should be fine though.
2011 will be awful if: The Bearcats lose so many shoot-outs that they can’t even reach 6 or 7 wins to get back to the postseason. There’s concern on special teams as well- no established placekicker. So Cincinnati’s margin for error will be as thin as the shredded cheese on a 5-way chili from Skyline.
Bottom Line: In the Big Least conference, anything goes. But I don’t like their chances to win the league. They could go back to a bowl though. After, 4-8, they’ll take it!
Cincy Rankings: #57 Athlon, #48 Lindy’s, #57 Phil Steele
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#71 Ole Miss Rebels
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports You can follow him on Twitter