ACCESS BOWL ROULETTE : CINCINNATI BEARCATS

This is the 5th report in a series looking at G5 teams who are likely contenders for the ACCESS BOWL. 

OBC(original blog content)

OVERVIEW

In Frank Kafka's novel , "The Trial",  Josef K. the main character, finds himself caught in an endless web of illogical  bureaucratic  red tape and dead ends.  Josef K struggles in the story to make sense of an unfair and pointless system that has turned his life upside down. At one point in the novel, an exasperated Josef K. remarks,"I cannot find my way in the darkness". At times during the past 18 months it seems likely that many within the Cincinnati Bearcat family have felt like they were living Josef K's life.

Having been plucked from CUSA a decade ago by the Big East, the Bearcats  now find themselves caught in a maze of realignment politics and wondering what their next move is. The Big East is of course no more, and the Bearcats are now one of the anchor schools in  the newly formed AAC. Big East or no Big East,  Cincinnati can still play ball and should be a  contender for the ACCESS BOWL Slot.


COACHING

In Dec 2012, Cincinnati Bearcat Athletic Director Whit Babcock,  announced that he had hired Tommy Tuberville to replace former outgoing  and Tennessee bound Butch Jones.  Babcock and Tuberville had worked together when both were employed by Auburn . Tommy Tuberville who holds an overall 139-81 coaching record,  seemed like a natural fit for the Bearcats. Tuberville, who left Texas Tech in order to take the Cincinnati job, struggled while coaching the Red Raiders. In accepting the Cincinnati job, Tuberville believed that he had found  the necessary support and infrastructure  in place to succeed, something that he seemed to lack while  at Texas Tech.

If there were  concerns that Tuberville had  lost a step or two when taking over the  Bearcat football team,  they were put to rest when he lead the Bearcats to a 9-4 record in his first year with the team. In finishng 9-4,  Tommy Tuberville proved once again that he is a  talented coach who knows how to win. The Bearcat faithful are hoping that Tuberville continues to use his considerable talents to make Cincinnati one of the top G5 schools in the country.


ACCESS BOWL CHANCES

This may turn into a interesting year for the Bearcat program , as it could be  a year where it proves difficult to gage how good  the Bearcats really are. At issue for Cincinnati are some very big questions marks at key positions including QB and Defensive line.

There is a good chance for example, that the Bearcats will start highly touted but untested transfer Qb Gunner Kiel. Kiel has had an interesting journey just to make it to Cincinnati. If Gunner is the starting QB, then this former 5 star recruit could have his hands full simply learning how to play at the collegiate level.

He will, however, have some nice tools to work with including the sure handed Shaq Washington plus an OLine that returns 3 starters from last year's team.  Still, it seems a tall order for Kiel to come in and immediately start  producing for the Bearcats. This is one position definitely  worth watching during Fall Camp this year.

If Gunner Kiel is indeed the starting QB for the Bearcats, and he gets off to a fast start then Cincinnati will certainly be one of the favorites to represent the G5 in the Access Bowl. If he struggles however, and the Bearcats do not find a suitable replacement to Jordan Steep on the Dline, then Cincinnati could be  in for a long season.

The good news for Bearcat fans is that they  have an athletic team lead by a coach that knows how to win. Is this enough however, to overcome the big hole at QB and D line? If experience tells us anything about new QB's its that they tend to struggle in their first year. If this happens to Kiel, or whoever the starter is, Bearcat fans may be in for some major disappointment this year.  For this reason more than any other, getting to the Access Bowl this season may be to tall an order to overcome . Stay tuned.