The Red Zone Report | 2008 Cincinnati preview: Bearcats set on bigger and better things

NCAA Football

2008 Cincinnati preview: Bearcats set on bigger and better things

By Mark Scott ⋅ July 23, 2008 ⋅ Subscribe to The Red Zone Report

The Cincinnati Bearcats were the most experienced team in the Big East in 2007, and it showed as they began the season with a six straight wins. The Bearcats were then upset by Louisville and Pittsburgh. UC went 3-1 the rest of the season, including a close loss to West Virginia, and finished the year by defeating Southern Mississippi in the PapaJohns.com Bowl. The Bearcats’ 10 victories were their most since 1951 and the finished the year ranked for the first time (at No. 17).

With a less-experienced squad and a tough schedule in 2008, can the Bearcats repeat their success from a year ago?

Coach: Brian Kelly (2nd full year at Cincinnati, 11-3)

2007 record: 10-3 (4-3 Big East)

Starters returning: 12 (6 offense, 6 defense)

Top returnees: QB Dustin Grutza, RB Jacob Ramsey, WR Dominick Goodman, WR Marcus Barnett, WR Marshawn Gilyard, RT Jeff Linkenbach, DT Terrill Byrd, DT Adam Hoppel, LB Andre Revels, MLB Ryan Manalac, LB Corey Smith, CB DeAngelo Smith, CB Mike Mickens, P Kevin Huber

Key losses: QB Ben Mauk, RB Butler Benton, RB Greg Moore, WR Earnest Jackson, LT Digger Bujinoch, OL Ken Rodriguez, DE Anthony Hoke, DE Angelo Craig, LB Leo Morgan, FS Haruki Nakamura, SS Anthony Williams

2008 Schedule

Aug. 28 Eastern Kentucky

Sept. 6 @ Oklahoma

Sept. 20 Miami, Ohio

Sept. 27 @ Akron

Oct. 3 @ Marshall

Oct. 11 Rutgers

Oct. 25 @ Connecticut

Oct. 30 USF

Nov. 8 @ West Virginia

Nov. 14 @ Louisville

Nov. 22 Pittsburgh

Nov. 29 Syracuse

Dec. 6 @ Hawaii

Key game: Nov. 14 @ Louisville - These two schools are only 106 miles apart, and the Bearcats are 1-9 vs. the Cardinals since 1998 in the Battle for the Keg of Nails. Adding fuel to the fire, these two will be in tight competition in the crowded Big East.

2008 Overview

Matching last season’s 10 victories and record-setting offense will be difficult with just six starters returning on offense, including the loss of QB Ben Mauk (who has repeatedly appealed for a sixth year of eligibility). The quarterback position is still up in the air heading into the season as no one distinguished themselves in the spring. Senior Dustin Grutza might land the job due to his experience, but he doesn’t do anything special. Chazz Anderson impressed in the spring with his athletic ability and playmaking in the spread offense to get into the discussion, but might be a year away from being ready to start. The third option is an interesting one, as sophomore Demetrius Jones is a Notre Dame starter who has the mobility and playmaking ability to be a star, especially considering coach Brian Kelly’s ability to develop quarterbacks.

The running game doesn’t have much of a presence in Kelly’s spread attack; therefore, the loss of four of the top five backs shouldn’t have much of an effect on the offense. Jacob Ramsey (362 rushing yards, three touchdowns) is the lone returnee, and he will battle freshman Isaiah Pead for playing time.

The strength of this year’s offense is in the receiving corps, as the team’s top three are back. Dominick Goodman had a team-high 869 receiving yards with eight touchdowns in 2007, Marcus Barnett led the unit with 13 touchdowns and 862 yards receiving, and Marshawn Gilyard managed 536 yards for three touchdowns. Adrien Robinson looks to be the new starting tight end as Connor Barwin has moved to the defensive line.

The offensive line will come into 2008 in much better shape with a year to adapt to Kelly’s offense. The unit will have to replace two starters in Ken Rodriguez and Digger Bujinoch. LG Trevor Canfield is a two time second-team Big East nominee and will have something to prove as he is coming off a suspension in February. These guys won’t overwhelm anyone but should be steady.

The Bearcats may be dependent, especially early in the season, on the defense. However, the D-Line must handle the losses of second-team Big East DE Anthony Hoke and Cincinnati Bengals draft pick DE Angelo Craig. This year’s club will count on second-team Big East DT Terrill Byrd (56 tackles, eight sacks) and DT Adam Hoppel (38 tackles, four sacks) to get things done in the middle while finding replacements at the end positions. Look for DE Lamonte Nelms and former tight end Barwin to fill the need there.

Cincinnati is very strong at linebacker. Corey Smith led the unit and is the team’s top returning tackler from last year with 80 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two picks. MLB Ryan Manalac moved into the starting lineup in 2007 and did not disappoint in recording 76 tackles. Andre Revels joins the starting unit and should have a fantastic season after making 66 tackles as a backup a year ago.

The secondary led the NCAA with 26 picks last season and will be strong again this year as the Bearcats boast the best trio of corners in the conference. NFL prospect and first-team All-American CB Mike Mickens (53 tackles, six interceptions) is a stud, DeAngelo Smith tied for the NCAA lead with eight interceptions in 2007, and Ohio State transfer Brandon Underwood form the formidable threesome. There is a concern at the safety positions, as the unit loses Baltimore Ravens draft pick FS Haruki Nakamura and SS Anthony Williams. Much of the pressure to replace them will be on the shoulders of SS Cedric Tolbert.

The Big East’s Special Teams Player of the Year, P Kevin Huber, is back for his senior season.

The Bearcats are a program on the rise under Kelly, one of the up-and-coming coaches in the country. But with concerns at key positions and one of the Big East’s most difficult schedules, UC will be hard pressed to match its 2007 success. The Bearcats will still manage a winning record and make their third straight bowl appearance.