2014-15 Season Previews – (American) – Bearcats
For this year’s Bearcats club, Notre Dame transfer Gunner Kiel looks to add to what is already an embarrassment of riches at the quarterback position.
Former stand-out Munchie Legaux will be back after suffering a harrowing knee injury early last season. He was granted a medical hardship and will join a QB battle with newcomer Kiel.
Cincinnati
AAC 2014-15 College Football Previews: Cincinnati Bearcats
Head Coach: Tommy Tuberville
2013 Record: 9-4
Cincinnati Gambling Odds to Win 2014 BCS Championship: 300/1
Cincinnati Gambling Odds to Win 2014 AAC Title: 7/4
Bearcats [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Cincinnati head coach Tommy Tuberville covets quickness and speed; it’s reflected in the Bearcats’ roster. These dynamic traits should push the Bearcats to the top of the American Conference pile this season.
Tuberville and his staff are using solid recruiting and regional connections to build what they hope is a consistent winner. The head coach was adamant enough to control recruiting that he ditched former defensive co-ordinator Art Kaufman after ranking ninth nationally in total defense last year.
Tuberville is definitely doing the job his way.
CLICK to GRAB OUR BEST Expert Sports & Football Picks for 2014 GAMBLING!
It remains to be seen if his recruiting zeal results in a spot for Cincy in one of the top six bowls. Let’s examine the strengths and weaknesses of the 2014 Bearcats.
Team Strengths
Apart from Kiel, who possesses arm strength, accuracy and mobility (if lacking a bit in experience) the ‘Cats also have junior college transfer Jarred Evans – who is awfully quick – and recovered veteran Legaux. Between the three of them, Cincy should almost certainly get solid QB play this year.
The run game has experience also, with the top three rushers (Hosey Williams, Ralph David Abernathy and Tion Green) returning. Williams should start, but there will be plenty of rotation occurring. On the offensive line, OT Eric Lefeld is an absolute beast.
On defense, look out for the Mouhon brothers: junior DE Silverberry, who was a force last season, and Kevin, a true freshman that was Cincinnati’s top 2014 recruit; he’d initially committed to Tennessee. With the axing of Kaufman, the defense will be run by co-coordinators Hank Hughes and Robert Prunty.
[soliloquy id=”82219″]
Among other studs on the defense, LBs Nick Temple, Jeff Luc (a former FSU Seminole) and safety Zach Edwards shine brightest. Temple and Luc will be joined by Eric Wilson, a Northwestern transfer that should slide in and start right away.
Team Weaknesses
Cincinnati’s special teams units are a comedy of errors. Kicker Tony Miliano only hit 7-of-17 field goals last year. The Bearcats also ranked 121st nationally in punting average. Truly awful.
Miliano needs a bounce-back year, and senior P John Lloyd needs to show something, or he’ll be replaced.
The Bearcats couldn’t get anything fired up in the return game either, so the entire special teams element of the team needs a facelift. In a close game against East Carolina or Houston, that could be the difference.
Apart from Lefeld, the offensive line isn’t overwhelming. The talent, experience and athleticism at the skill positions leaves fans hoping that will compensate for an underwhelming O-line.
Cincy also breaks in two new starters on the interior of the front four, with DTs Brandon Marshall and Camaron Beard.
2014-15 Cincinnati Football Prediction: 11-2
The Bearcats have two daunting road games, at Ohio State on Sept. 27 and in Coral Gables at Miami on Oct. 11. Those probably won’t be much fun, but apart from that the ‘Cats look really well-positioned in the AAC this season. With the talent and depth that Tuberville has assembled, Cincy should be able to handle anything the rest of the conference has to offer.
East Carolina and veteran QB Shane Carden probably poses the gravest challenge, but the Bearcats should be the class of the American Conference this year, with the bowl appearance to match.
2014 Bearcats Schedule
- 9/12/14 TOLEDO
- 9/20/14 MIAMI of OHIO
- 9/27/14 @ OHIO ST.
- 10/4/14 MEMPHIS
- 10/11/14 @ MIAMI
- 10/18/14 @ SMU
- 10/24/14 USF
- 10/31/14 @ TULANE
- 11/15/14 E. CAROLINA
- 11/22/14 @ UCONN
- 11/29/14 @ TEMPLE
- 12/6/14 HOUSTON
CLICK HERE TO GRAB OUR BEST Expert CFB Picks for 2014 NCAA FOOTBALL Betting! —–>
