We check in with the Cincinnati Bearcats as we roll from 25 to 1 in the GURU's College Football Pre-Season Preview.
Butch Jones took over for Brian Kelly at Central Michigan in 2007 and maintained the same level of success over the past 3 years including coaching Dan Lefevor to being one of the most prolific QBs in recent CFB History.
He now again takes over for Brian Kelly... And this time if he wants to maintain the same level of success, that will mean winning back-to-back Big East Championships and reaching 2 consecutive BCS Bowl games. Good Luck, coach.
Advantages for the Bearcats:
-Brian Kelly recruited well and left a stable of Athletes in the cupboard. The Bearcats return 8 starters on offense and 5 on defense.
-QB Zach Collaros replaced the injured Tony Pike for 5 games last year and played exceptionally well, throwing for 1400 yards and rushing for another 350 yards. His ability to run the ball opens up a whole new dimension for the Bearcat attack. And the experience he gained playing in the heat of the Big East battle (October/November) will pay dividends in 2010.
-As I stated before, Butch Jones has followed Brian Kelly at his last 2 stops and the offense that Jones runs is extremely similar to that of Kelly, so the transition for the offensive players should be seamless.
-Something that some people may have forgotten... Is that former USC WR Vidal Hazelton transferred to Cincinnati and will now be eligible in 2010 after sitting out a year. Keep an eye on him. He and Armon Binns could combine for one of the best WR tandems in America.
-The Bearcats have a very challenging schedule... But they do play their 4 of their toughest opponents at home (Oklahoma, USF, Rutgers, Pitt)
One key question that I have is the defense. What will the defense look like? There were times last year that the Bearcat defense flat out disappeared. And giving up 40+ points in both of their final games (Pitt and Florida) is not a good omen heading into 2010. The Big East has strong offenses that vary greatly in style... So having a solid defense will be a key cog for any team hoping to wear the Big East crown.
Key Players to Watch for:
QB Zach Collaros
WR Armon Binns
RB Isaiah Pead
WR Vidal Hazelton
LB J.K. Schaffer
Key Games:
Sept 4 - @Fresno State
Sept 25 - Oklahoma
Oct 22 - USF
Nov 13 - @West Virginia
Nov 20 - Rutgers
Dec 4 - Pittsburgh
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