Cincinnati (13-1 SU, 8-6 ATS) hopes to make a return to the CFP when they open their season on the road against Arkansas (9-4 SU, 8-4-1 ATS) on Saturday at 3:30pmET from Fayetteville.
The Bearcats will need to replace star QB Desmond Ridder, who moved on to the Atlanta Falcons along with star cornerback Sauce Gardner (NY Jets).
Arkansas returns four starters on defense from a unit that was pretty solid last season. But they do return sophomore quarterback K.J. Jefferson who has star potential.
Luke Fickell did a fantastic job last season as he led the Bearcats to become the first-ever non-P5 team to make the playoff. He will have a new OC in former Cincy QB Gino Guidugli, who was the quarterback coach. Now they need to find a quarterback to replace two-time AAC Player of the Year Desmond Ridder. Of course, Fickell won't announce the starter publicly.
“I don't think there's any reason to talk about it,” Fickell said Tuesday on Cincinnati.com. “I don't know that it does anything good for our team. It doesn't do anything good for the opponents and the preparations of things.”
“You gotta do what you do well.”@CoachFick previews the season opener against Arkansas.
Full presser ?? https://t.co/rUnGzHaBsR pic.twitter.com/yJsTM8pZ8w
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) August 30, 2022
Senior Ben Bryant (6-3, 213) is the most likely starter considering he has experience. Bryant started 11 games for Eastern Michigan last season, tossing for 3,121 yards and 14 TDs. Sophomore Evan Prater (6-4, 200) saw limited time, but appears to have more upside with his ability to run. Fortunately for a very balanced offense. the Bearcats return all five offensive linemen. They will have to replace star RB Jerome Ford (1,319yds), but Ryan Montgomery (6.8ypc) should be fine as the main back.
Defensively, the Bearcats ranked fifth in the nation with just 16.9 points per game and allowed. They also ranked second against the pass (169.2ypg) and 62nd against the run (149.1ypg). The loss of Gardner is a tough one to overcome, but they also lost five other key players. They will look to rely on transfers to fill in some holes led by All-MAC linebacker Ivan Pace to join his brother Deshawn, who had 94 tackles and four interceptions to lead the team in both categories.