Coming off an impressive turnaround last season, the Cincinnati Bearcats should have their sights set on the AAC Championship game this season.
The Cincinnati Bearcats’ season ended with the team’s first bowl game victory since 2012 after defeating Virginia Tech in the Military Bowl. With Luke Fickell entering his third season as head coach, the Bearcats are closing in on its first AAC title.
Under Fickell, Cincinnati started his first season slow finishing only 4-8 and furthering the question marks before a second season in 2018. Cincinnati shut down all the critics with a shocking 11-2 record and a post-season ranking of No. 24.
College teams know how important the quarterback position is for success in the NCAA, and for the Bearcats they have nothing to worry about bringing back redshirt sophomore Desmond Ridder who threw 20 touchdowns and five interceptions last season.
At running back, the Bearcats bring into the room one of the deepest positional groups in the entire country. A three-headed monster rotation including Mike Warren, a healthy Gerrid Doaks and Tavion Thomas will be tough matchups for opposing defenses this fall.
The question mark is at the receiver position as the leading receiver in 2018 Khalil Lewis has departed from the university. The expected starting rotation had only 44 total receptions just a year ago, creating a difficult challenge for Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder this upcoming season.
As for the defense, finishing the season in the top-30 in points per game allowed, rushing defense, red zone defense and total defense will be something to build off entering the 2019 season.
After losing stud interior defensive line players Cortez Broughton and Marquise Copeland, the Bearcats will look for their depth and outside pass rushers for a boost after a phenomenal 2018 season. The secondary will also be an important factor as junior safety James Wiggins returns after forcing five turnovers a season ago.
Here’s a game-by-game prediction of what 2019 has in store for the Bearcats.