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Written by Mark
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Thursday, 22 July 2010 19:13 |
Cincinnat Bearcats 2010 Preview
Cincinnati looks for another Big East Championship behind another explosive offense.
2010 NCAA Football Preview-Big East-Cincinnati Bearcats
2009 Results-12-1
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Overview:
Cincinnati won their second straight Big East crown and set a school record with 12 wins in 2009 but the year ended on a down note with a 51-24 loss to Florida in the Sugar Bowl and HC Brian Kelly taking off to the supposedly greener pastures of Notre Dame. However, all is not lost with Butch Jones running the show because he knows Kelly and his systems well as he took over at Central Michigan when Kelly left for the Bearcats. With plenty of talent returning on offense, it’s not a stretch to say Cincinnati will light up the scoreboard once again.
Offense:
Cincinnati was a force on offense last season with a unit that topped the league with an eye opening 39 points per contest. With Tony Pike off to the NFL, Zach Collaros takes over the reins and based on his 2009 performance when Pike was injured, the offense looks like it’s in good hands. Collaros proved he could get it done with his arm (1,434 yds) and legs (344 yds) while putting the ball in the end zone (14 TD). Even though Mardy Gilyard is now playing on Sundays, the cupboard is not bare with Armon Binns (61 rec, 888 yds) and DJ Woods (51 rec, 640 yds) back to give him two reliable and productive receivers. RB Isaiah Pead (806 yds) was a dependable runner that could also catch the occasional pass. There is experience up front as well with three returning offensive lineman two of which were second team All Big East, that know both the system and players.
Defense:
The defense was one of the best nationally through eight games when it gave up less than 13 points on average. However, they looked lost over the final five giving up almost 40, so this unit was basically a non actor as the season closed. The Bearcats decline on the defensive side of things coincided with the schedule getting tougher but the offense had little trouble so how good is this unit? Cincinnati was dead last in the Big East against the run which doesn’t bode well with one returning starter in DT Derrick Wolf. Both Brandon Mills and Dan Giordano saw time at DE but how they fit in 2010 is the question. The line backing unit is solid with second team All Big East JK Schaeffer and his team leading 100 tackles teaming with Walter Stewart (59). The secondary had major issues as 2009 came to an end and returns two starters in CB Dominique Battle and safety Drew Frey.
Special Teams:
Kicker, Jake Rogers has a strong leg but needs more accuracy, as he was just 12-18 on the year and 3-7 on tries of 40+ yards. Patrick O’Donnell will handle the punting but has no experience. There is no way the Bearcats can replace Mardy Gilyard, but DJ Woods will get first crack at the job.
Prognosis:
Cincinnati should once again find points plentiful but as we saw towards the end of last season, so did opposing offenses. The Bearcats success will ultimately be decided by what the new faces on defense bring to the table. Another Big East Championship? Possible, but it’s hard to predict that scenario with this defense and a much safer bet would be a nice Bowl.
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