2008 Cincinnati Bearcats Football Preview

2008 Cincinnati Bearcats season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Cincinnati Bearcats football preview as well as the 2008 Cincinnati Bearcats Football Schedule. After reading this article check out our college football predictions against the current point spread.

Coach: Brian Kelly (2nd year at Cincinnati)
Team Name: Bearcats
2007 Overall Record: 10-3
Returning Starters: 12

In three of their last four seasons, the Cincinnati Bearcats (10-3 overall, 4-3 Big East) have made post-season appearances. Last year, after finishing third in the conference, the Cats went to the Papajohns.com Bowl. There they defeated Southern Mississippi 31-21. Although the Bearcats don’t look to have as good a club as they did in 2007, they’re still good enough to post a wining season.

Notre Dame transfer Demetrius Jones, a sophomore, should get the start at quarterback. However, Jones, who is a fine athlete, is coming off of shoulder surgery, making his performance possibilities a question mark. Junior RB Jacob Ramsey (96 CAR, 362 YDS, 3 TDs) has won the starting tailback spot for 2008. He’s bulked up, adding extra power to his speedy frame. The receiving unit is also fine and includes senior Dominick Goodman (68 REC, 869 YDS, 8 TDs). The right side of the O-line will be tested but overall this group is seasoned.

The Bearcat defense held opponents to 18.8 PPG, placing them 13th nationally. The team was especially adroit at stopping the run. Senior DT Terrill Byrd, a Second-team All-American, returns as the team sack leader with eight QB bring-downs, while senior OLB Corey Smith is back as the team’s leader in tackles with 80. CB DeAngelo Smith snatched eight picks last season. The linebacking unit is a tad thin, while the pass defenders look solid.

Four swing games dart this team’s schedule. October 25 at Connecticut could go either way. Three of their final four contests are up for grabs—at Louisville (November 14), against Pittsburgh (November 22) and at Hawaii (December 6).

Last season, new coach Brian Kelly (11-3) employed his spread offense with success. The Bearcats’ air-game was 20th nationally and their average of 36.3 PPG ranked them 16th. Kelly has high hopes for his team. He believes that they can win the conference. Over the years, the coach, who’s notched a 148-54-2 record over 17 years, has proven to be a winner. This team may be bowl bound but a lot of things will have to go right for this club to take the Big East crown.

Cincinnati Bearcats Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Away
Aug 28	E Kentucky	Home
Sep 6	Oklahoma	Home
Sep 20	Miami Ohio	Home
Sep 27	Akron	Away
Oct 3	Marshall	Away
Oct 11	Rutgers	Home
Oct 25	Connecticut	Away
Oct 30	South Florida	Home
Nov 8	West Virginia	Away
Nov 14	Louisville	Away
Nov 22	Pittsburgh	Home
Nov 29	Syracuse	Home
Dec 6	Hawaii	Away

 

For more info on the 2008 Cincinnati Bearcats football program, view the Bearcats football site or you can read about other Big East teams below.