2008 Cincinnati Football Picks & Predictions
Brain Kelly took a program on solid ground and elevated it to the school’s first 10-win season in over 50 years. The next step is undeniably to win the Big East, but it is going to a hefty task this season with Ben Mauk not under center. Other options and talent remain, but they’ll likely need more grooming. The college football predictions Jimmy Boyd’s 2008 Cincinnati Bearcats season preview has Brian Kelly’s team taking a step back in year two. The Bearcats are listed at 7-1 odds to win the Big East at BodogLife.com sportsbook.
Offense
Cincy is coming off a season in which its offense set a school record by scoring 472 points. It returns seven starters from that unit, but only if it were eight. When the NCAA denied QB Ben Mauk a sixth year of eligibility, it was widely known that the offense would be without its most vital weapon. After all, Mauk dazzled with a school-record 31 touchdown strikes in 2007. The reigns will likely he handed over to senior Dustin Grutza, who started 21 games before Mauk transferred from Wake Forest. He won’t wow you with arm strength or mobility, but he will be a solid manager of the game. Having an experienced line returning will help him out. Dominick Goodman and Marcus Barnett will be his primary targets. Goodman hauled in 68 balls a season ago and Barnett grabbed 13 touchdown passes (school record). The Bearcats lost three senior in the running game, but junior Jacob Ramsey has waited his turn and will now get a chance to star.
Defense
The Bearcats devastated with a big play defense in 2007, tying for the national lead with 42 takeaways. They led the nation with 26 interceptions. The defense must replace two standout ends and it will be without All-American tackle Terrill Byrd for the season opener after he was arrested for smoking marijuana. Byrd has worked hard to get out of the doghouse and will be a brick wall up front. With the nation’s finest cornerback duo still intact, the Bearcats should be doing plenty of pick pocketing again. DeAngelo Smith and Mike Mickens combined to come up with 14 interceptions in 2007. Strong side backer Corey Smith is the top returning tackler and middle linebacker Ryan Manalac is steady.
Special Teams
Senior punter Kevin Huber will help out the defense once again. He often puts opponents in bad field position, which enables the defense to take more gambles. He was a 2007 Ray Guy Award finalist with a 46.9-yard average. Senior Brandon Yingling will battle sophomore Jake Rogers for place kicking duties after Rogers made just 11 of 19 attempts last season. The return game is in good hands with DeAngelo Smith.
Prediction – 7th in Big East
It’s going to be tough to match the 42 takeaways they came up with in 2007, and without Mauk to dominate opposing secondaries, points will be harder to come by. Cincy will still put a good football team on the field, but a challenging schedule will ensure that the Bearcats finish near the bottom of the conference just ahead of Syracuse, but behind Louisville and UConn.
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