Cincinnati ?3
The Bearcats return 8 starters on each side of the ball as well as 2000 Lou Groza Award winning K Jonathan Ruffin. The offense is led by sophomore QB Gino Guidugli, who broke both school and conference records in completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns and won the CUSA rookie of the year award. All of the skill players return in what should be a great offensive attack in 2002. The balance will be there to keep TCU on their toes. Add to the fact that the Horned Frogs' secondary was prone to allowing big plays last season.
The only concern on defense for the Bearcats is replacing spots at the linebacker position, but they feel that they have the athletes to fill them well. Most of the returning players had to be broken in last year and all 8 of the returnees are seniors. The experience should pay huge dividends, especially early in the season. TCU will be hurt with the loss of QB Casey Printers, who decided to transfer for his senior season. Sean Stilley, who saw spot action in 6 games last year, will replace him. In all, the Horned Frogs return 7 on offense but they will need to improve on their rushing offense, which ranked 96th in the nation last year. Going against a veteran defense like the Bearcats will cause problems because of their talented secondary. Stilley is not the runner Printers was and as long as there is a sufficient pass rush to get pressure on him, he will have difficulties finding open receivers since he isn?t a scrambler. Cincinnati had 35 sacks last year, second most in school history. The Bearcat defense has been working in the fall drills to attack and swarm on every play and the added pursuit will make up for a lot of deficiencies.
This could be the best team coach Rick Minter has had in his 9 years at Cincinnati. Ruffin adds a huge asset in the kicking game, where he has converted 58 consecutive PAT?s. In a game where the defenses are relatively equal, we give the nod to the better and more experienced offense to get the job done.
GLTA!
The Bearcats return 8 starters on each side of the ball as well as 2000 Lou Groza Award winning K Jonathan Ruffin. The offense is led by sophomore QB Gino Guidugli, who broke both school and conference records in completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns and won the CUSA rookie of the year award. All of the skill players return in what should be a great offensive attack in 2002. The balance will be there to keep TCU on their toes. Add to the fact that the Horned Frogs' secondary was prone to allowing big plays last season.
The only concern on defense for the Bearcats is replacing spots at the linebacker position, but they feel that they have the athletes to fill them well. Most of the returning players had to be broken in last year and all 8 of the returnees are seniors. The experience should pay huge dividends, especially early in the season. TCU will be hurt with the loss of QB Casey Printers, who decided to transfer for his senior season. Sean Stilley, who saw spot action in 6 games last year, will replace him. In all, the Horned Frogs return 7 on offense but they will need to improve on their rushing offense, which ranked 96th in the nation last year. Going against a veteran defense like the Bearcats will cause problems because of their talented secondary. Stilley is not the runner Printers was and as long as there is a sufficient pass rush to get pressure on him, he will have difficulties finding open receivers since he isn?t a scrambler. Cincinnati had 35 sacks last year, second most in school history. The Bearcat defense has been working in the fall drills to attack and swarm on every play and the added pursuit will make up for a lot of deficiencies.
This could be the best team coach Rick Minter has had in his 9 years at Cincinnati. Ruffin adds a huge asset in the kicking game, where he has converted 58 consecutive PAT?s. In a game where the defenses are relatively equal, we give the nod to the better and more experienced offense to get the job done.
GLTA!
