Tag: Cincinnati Bearcats

Ohio Sate vs. Michigan canceled. Three ways Ohio State could still get into Big Ten Championship Game

Here are three things that could happen for the Buckeyes to still get to the Big Ten Championship Game after the Michigan cancellation.

If you haven’t heard yet, the Ohio State vs. Michigan game has been canceled. The annual grudge match between two of college football’s most storied historical programs won’t be played because of the state of the coronavirus outbreak inside the Wolverine program. It’s the first time since 1918 that The Game between these two arch-rivals won’t be contested.

And while the news is deeply disappointing for both sides, there are ramifications to what happens next for the Ohio State program. The Buckeyes will now only finish with five regular-season games, one short of the mandatory six games the league outlined as in its return to play policy for teams to be eligible for the Big Ten Championship Game.

There are also College Football Playoff implications. Having one-less game against a quality opponent, and not winning a conference championship could play into the College Football Playoff Committee’s decision-making when selecting the four best teams.

But don’t panic yet Buckeye Nation. There are still some things that could happen for OSU to still go to Indy and we’re going to outline them for you here.

Here are three ways Ohio State can still get into the Big Ten Championship Game and improve its resume for the College Football Playoff. Either way, it’s going to take some work, and might need the conference to step up, but the Buckeyes should not be penalized for things they cannot control.

NEXT … Play another Big Ten team

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Bowl projections: Florida hops the border to pick a Peach

Florida Gators football is projected to face the Cincinnati Bearcats at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta when the post season rolls around.

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Editor’s note: This article was originally published by USA TODAY Sports and has been republished below in its entirety.

Consider this weekend the calm before the storm in college football.

Three of the Power Five conferences already have their championship games set. The Big Ten will have its resolved if Ohio State takes the field Saturday. Only the Pac-12 remains up in the air entering the penultimate weekend.

The lack of upsets from the last few weeks means there is again no change in the projection for the College Football Playoff. Saturday’s light schedule should have little impact on the outlook, meaning championship weekend should resolve the key questions about the status of Clemson and Notre Dame in the ACC and whether Florida can drastically impact the picture by upsetting Alabama.

If Ohio State does beat Michigan this week, then a win against Northwestern would seem to assure the Buckeyes a place in the field. This leaves Texas A&M and Cincinnati hoping for major upsets ahead of them.

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The changes to the bowl picture this week come among the New Year’s Six. Brigham Young falls out after its memorable loss to Coastal Carolina on short notice. That opens the door for Indiana, which last played in a major bowl at the Rose Bowl at the end of the 1967 season. Also losing its place is Oregon. The Ducks fell to California, leaving the Pac-12 spot to Southern California.

The bowl lineup for the postseason, including the College Football Playoff game, stands at 34 games with the Las Vegas Bowl and LA Bowl dropping out because of pandemic worries since last week’s projection. It’s possible more will be called off as cities balance health concerns and benefits of hosting games. Teams in bold have accepted berths.

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Where will the Gators play their bowl game? Here’s USA TODAY’s latest projection

The winner of UF vs UGA will likely play in the SEC championship game and could still be an at-large contender with two losses.

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Editor’s note: This article was originally published by USA TODAY Sports and has been republished in its entirety below. 

Cincinnati’s ascent into the College Football Playoff race is getting hard to ignore. The Bearcats keep dominating a schedule full of quality teams and doesn’t looking like they’re slowing down soon.

While there may not be any top-tier teams in the American Athletic to match Power Five conferences, there are enough quality opponents to boost Cincinnati’s profile. The Big 12 is already without an unbeaten team and the Pac-12 is scheduled to play four fewer games against a schedule that isn’t much different than the American.

For now, Oregon holds the fourth position behind Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State. More will be known when the Ducks finally take the field Saturday, but the Bearcats are absolutely in the thick of the race.

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Another game that likely will shape the debate is this week’s showdown between Georgia and Florida. The winner will likely play in the SEC championship game and could still be an at-large contender with two losses or create some chaos by beating likely opponent Alabama.

There was some movement at the top this week. Losses by Oklahoma State and Michigan knocked them out of the New Year’s Six with Oklahoma and Texas A&M moving in.

The bowl lineup for this postseason stands at 37 games with the status of the Las Vegas Bowl uncertain. Teams in bold have accepted berths.

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USA TODAY Sports still thinks Florida is Peach Bowl bound

After Week 8 of college football play USA TODAY Sports has Florida heading to Atlanta to play the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Peach Bowl.

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Editor’s note: This article was originally published by USA TODAY Sports and has been republished in its entirety below.

The start of the Big Ten was expected to influence the outlook on the College Football Playoff. Opening weekend delivered change.

Penn State’s hopes took a major hit after a disappointing loss at Indiana. Michigan, instead, looked like the biggest contender to Ohio State in the East division with its impressive performance against Minnesota. Wisconsin showed an improved offense with quarterback Graham Mertz providing life to its usually conservative passing game.

The impact on this week’s bowl projections sees the Nittany Lions fall out of its position in the New Year’s Six. The Wolverines move into that spot and are poised to rise higher with quarterback Joe Milton giving the offense a new dimension. The challenge is to build up on their success heading to a tough November schedule.

The playoff field remains unchanged. Alabama is projected to be the No. 1 overall seed followed by Clemson, Ohio State and Oregon. Cincinnati solidified its lead among the Group of Five conferences, while Brigham Young continues to look strong enough to earn its way into a major bowl.

The bowl lineup for this postseason was trimmed by one this week with the announcement of the Holiday Bowl cancellation. Teams in bold have accepted berths.

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Eagles’ UDFA Michael Warren among elite company in Yards After Contact since 2018

Michael Warren among best RB’s since 2018 in Yards After Contact

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In most normal NFL offseasons, Michael Warren would be incorporated into the Eagles roster via the practice squad or simply landing on the 53 man roster.

With the coronavirus pandemic halting the offseason workout program and teams now scrambling to reduce their training camp rosters to 80, Warren is in jeopardy of possibly being an odd man out in the Eagles backfield.

The Eagles need a compliment to Miles Sanders and although names like Devonta Freeman have been mentioned, Warren’s tough running style should translate to the NFL. Despite having a smaller name in collegiate circles, Warren has been a workhorse since 2018 and joins some big names in the category of gaining first down yards after contact.

Warren turned pro after rushing 261 times for 1,265 yards and 14 touchdowns in 14 games last season for the Bearcats.

Standing 5-foot-9, 226 pounds, the Toledo, Ohio, native is a load to bring down and very productive.

AAC Preview: 2021 NFL Draft prospects to watch and team predictions

Josh Keatley takes a dive into the win totals and top prospects for each AAC team in 2020

Despite the college football season being up in the air, a great gambler continues to study and evaluate. The AAC as a Group of 5 conference is even more up in the air, but we still need to examine the Vegas win totals and my expectations for each. I also highlight three prospects on each team that have the most intriguing NFL potential.

Cincinnati Bearcats: Vegas Win Total- 8.5

This team won 11 games last season and head coach, Luke Fickell has this team rolling and ready for another double digit win season. Fickell turned down Power-5 jobs and a big reason has to be that he believes this team can reach the next level after winning 11 games in back-to-back seasons. Nebraska, Memphis & UCF are not going to be fun games on the schedule, but they should be able to go 1-2 against that trio and still hit this over confidently. This already impressive defense returns ten starters and Fickell has taken the recruiting up a notch. Prediction: Over 8.5

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Top Prospects:

James Wiggins, S, 6-0, 205 pounds, Sr.: Wiggins is the forgotten man as far as preseason draft hype goes, but the All-AAC selection checks a ton of boxes you look for in an early-round safety selection. His 2019 season was lost due to an injury, but he will remind scouts of his potential in 2020.

James Smith, P, 6-5, 232 pounds, Sr.: Smith had a disappointing 2019 season after his net punting average fell from 44.3 yards to 41 yards in 2019, but he is still one of the top punters in college football. The All-AAC selection will be looking to return to his Ray Guy Award finalist form.

Gerrid Doaks, RB, 6-0, 230 pounds, Sr.: It is crazy to think Doaks was actually slated to be the starter in 2018, but due to injuries and the emergence of Michael Warren II, Doaks was forced to take a backseat. Doaks is now 100% and will be a name to watch after gaining 526 yards and five touchdowns last season.

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College Football News Preview 2020: Cincinnati Bearcats

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Cincinnati Bearcats season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Cincinnati Bearcats season with what you need to know.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– Cincinnati Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2019 Record: 11-3 overall, 7-1 in AAC
Head Coach: Luke Fickell, 4th year, 26-13
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 22
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 22
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 64

No one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Cincinnati Bearcats Offense 3 Things To Know

– The Cincinnati offense wasn’t the best in the AAC, and it certainly stalled out way too often, averaging just 390 yards and 30 points per game. The O moved the chains and controlled the clock, but it was about the running game rolling and the defense taking care of the rest.

Head man Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock wanted to create a powerful attack, and they did just that. Cincinnati went from running for 1,624 yards in 2017 to over 3,000 with 38 touchdowns in 2018 and close to 3,000 last year with 30 scores. However, the main man for the ground game is gone.

CFN in 60 Video: Nebraska Preview
Cincinnati at Nebraska, Sept. 26
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– Michael Warren ran for well over 2,500 yards over the last two seasons with 33 scores. He was the focus of the attack, but the system had a lot to do with the production.

Enter Alabama transfer Jerome Ford, a superstar get for Nick Saban who couldn’t find his way into a ridiculously loaded backfield. He’s the most talented option, but 230-pound Gerrid Doaks is a pounding veteran who can handle the work, running for 526 yards and five scores last season.

They might have a better line to work behind than Warren did.

The guard situation is a wee bit iffy going into the fall, but the addition of Michigan transfer James Hudson gives the staff a whole lot of flexibility. There’s depth, good size – expect the UC line to average about 315 pounds per man – and a whole lot of options to play around with. Now the pass protection has to be stronger.

– The passing game has to be more consistent, but Desmond Ridder was great at pushing the ball down the field, and he’s a tough, dangerous runner who was second on the team with 650 yards and five scores. However, he only completed 55% of his passes. Sophomore Ben Bryant subbed in for the big game against Memphis late in the season and was good enough – he’s at least a solid No. 2.

The receiving corps loses star TE Josiah Deguara to the Green Bay Packers, and a few other parts are done, but leading receiver Alec Pierce is back coming off a 37-catch, 652-yard, two touchdown season.

The addition of Notre Dame transfer Michael Young along with Ohio State transfers Blue Smith and 6-6 Garyn Prater give the corps an upgrade of talent, and Michigan State transfer Noah Davis will make a push to be the new Deguara at tight end.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Cincinnati Bearcats Defense 3 Things To Know

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Urban Meyer’s son Nate walks on to Cincinnati football program

Luke Fickell told Pete Thamel that Urban Meyer’s son Nate has joined the Cincinnati program as a walk-on and wants to pursue coaching.

Like father like son — sort of. Urban Meyer’s son Nate, who was already a scholarship athlete with the Cincinnati Bearcats baseball team, has reportedly switched sports and joined the football program as a walk-on. Bearcats’s head coach Luke Fickell told Pete Thamel of Yahoo! Sports that he wants to follow in his dad’s footsteps and become a coach.

He has also switched his major from business to psychology, which is the same major Urban had. Many have pointed to that background as a key in his ability to motivate players and teams throughout his career.

From Thamel:

He’s switching sports to better prepare himself for his goal of becoming a college football coach, as he’s hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Nate Meyer will be a junior in the fall and has already begun taking part in Zoom calls with the Bearcats wide receivers. Fickell said that special teams likely looms as his best chance to contribute.

Nate Meyer is looking forward to the experience to help him on his coaching path.

“Dad, I made a decision. I changed my major to psychology like you were and I want to be a football coach,” Urban Meyer said with a laugh by phone on Wednesday. “I thought, ‘Oh boy.’”

Nate Meyer said his father has been supportive and excited about the move. His mother, Shelley, was a bit more hesitant. Nate Meyer also joins his brother-in-law, Ohio State quarterback coach Corey Dennis, in the family profession. “Oh, God,” Nate Meyer said, recalling his mother’s reaction. “There’s another one going on this path.”

Nate could often be seen on the sidelines with his father before, during, and after football games Urban was coaching at Ohio State. He’s grown up with the game being a part of the family, and there’s obviously a dream there he wants to try and pursue. We say good on you Nate.

We’ll have to keep an eye on how this all transpires down at Cincinnati and beyond. If he’s gotten anything from his dad as far as competitiveness and drive, look out football world.

Chris Holtmann on playing Xavier, Cincinnati, and Dayton: “Absolutely we would consider that”

The Ohio State men’s basketball head coach, Chris Holtmann, would love to start playing Dayton, Xavier, and Cincinnati more frequently.

The Ohio State men’s basketball head coach, Chris Holtmann, would love to play the big boys of college basketball in the state, a trend the men’s basketball team has started by scheduling Cincinnati.

Although the Cincinnati Bearcats have made strides in football, much of Ohio’s universities still strongly consider basketball their team’s most successful sport.

After all, both Dayton and Xavier have been ranked within the top five in the last few years. Even Cincinnati is just a year or so removed from being a top-ten program.

That type of success isn’t reflected in many other states throughout the country. However, for some reason, the Buckeyes don’t play the Bearcats, Musketeers or Flyers very often.

What does Holtmann feel about potentially bringing those top-notch opponents to Columbus? Well, according to Eleven Warriors’ Colin Haas-Hill, he would “absolutely” consider that.

It’s not just the big dogs though. It’s the mid-majors as well, programs Ohio has a plethora of.

“If you’re asking about mid-majors in the state, we’re playing Akron this year, we played Kent (State) last year, we played Youngstown State. We’re open to doing that and we intend to do that every year,” Holtmann continued.

Having more in-state opponents is something Ohio State, and every other opponent that gets the call, should consider. While it’s not necessarily that easy, it is feasible.

What is even more intriguing is the idea of putting together something similar to the Crossroads classic that the major basketball programs in Indiana compete in every year. Butler, Indiana, Notre Dame, and Purdue all come together at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and make it a showcase event.

Getting there has a lot of obstacles, but this is something sorely needed. Getting Ohio State on board with something like this always seemed to be the biggest dragon to slay, and that now seems to have fallen by way of the sword Holtmann is carrying.

If ever there was a chance at making this a reality, it’s now.

 

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