Is there a current line for if a Cincinnati news man attends? The Enquirer has had zero news lately except for reprints from other outlets.

This is from ESPN's polls:

What's more likely for a team from Cincinnati?
a) Bengals reach Super Bowl
b) Reds reach World Series
c) University of Cincinnati reaches BCS game

What do you think? I picked (b).

After 27,000 votes, (c) is winning, with 40% of the vote. Not surprisingly, Indiana and Kentucky both picked (b), with the rest of the country (other than Alaska and Wyoming) all picking (c).

The polls are here. Right now it's question 13 on "Top Polls of the Day," but I can't figure out how to link to ESPN's individual polls. Does anyone know how to do that?

Tim Adams from Bearcat Lair is taking questions on the free board. Thought some might want to get somethings answered from someone other than most of us who get their info from the internet.

http://www.bearcatlair.com/forum/f8/...830/#post19884

Looking into the future, it is clear that UC is not dodging talented, BCS teams. Already scheduled within the year 2014, we will travel to N.C. State, Tennessee, Va Tech (supposedly neutral), Ohio State (X2) and Illinois. However, I have been following a lot of others schools schedules into the far distant future and was wondering what you think our plan should be pressing forward. Most of the big boys, who we want to emulate, I would think, schedule one big boy and a number of less challenging, but often respectable opponents. What do you think?

Also, recently, Minnesota and Texas ended their home and home agreement for 2015 and 2016. I would be interested in adding either of those guys to our future slates. What do you think?

Check out the daily writings of our newest writer, Paul Dehner... More than any other site on the web Paul will provide daily musings on UC Athletics. Our upcoming coverage of UC Football Training Camp will be comprehensive, with videos and practice reports following every practice, all for free.

http://www.gobearcats.com/blog/2010/...ast-72910.html

Position Analysis: Defensive Line

By Paul Dehner on July 29, 2010 2:35 PM

This is the third in a series of looks at the 2010 UC football roster through the eyes of its position coaches. It continues with a glimpse at the defensive line with assistant head coach/defensive line coach Steve Stripling.

Stripling has 30 years of coaching experience and led the Central Michigan Chippewas to a 44-41 victory against Troy in the 2010 GMAC Bowl as interim head coach.


Starters - DT Derek Wolfe, Jr., NT John Hughes, Jr., DE Walter Stewart, Soph., DE Dan Giordano, Soph., DT/DE Brandon Mills, Soph.

Reserves - Steve Hancock, Jr., Sean McClellan, RS Fr., Michael Hilty, RS Fr., Rob Trigg, Jr.

Freshman -- Camaron Beard, Brad Harrah, Eric Lefeld, Roney Lozano

Overview: A clear-cut break exists between the starting five up front and the conglomerate of players who will fill out the two-deep roster come Sept. 4. With Derek Wolfe leading the way at nose guard, this group will learn how many injuries it can handle through the three weeks of fall practices.

Biggest Question: How will the line handle another change in philosophy with the third defensive coordinator in three years?

Stripling: "It's a transition to a different style of defense. We expect more out of the defensive line. We are asking them to be more productive and contribute more as playmakers. They are not just there to occupy gaps. When you are really clicking then you can apply pressure with four down guys. They are not just there to take up space, they are looking for more aggression versus the pass more and more pressure."

Worth noting: This is one of the more experienced factions of an extremely young defense.

Stripling: "We are a very young defense, with but maybe two seniors on whole defense. Yes, we are extremely young, yet when you look up front, Wolfe, Hughes, Stewart, Mills, Giordano, they all played in the Sugar Bowl."


THE TOP TIER
Derek Wolfe

Tangibles: 6-5, 302 pounds, Jr.

Last year: 13 starts, 41 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 5 sacks (second on team)

Stripling's take: "He's evolved not only as player but as a leader. He had a great summer. He didn't put on any more weight but increased dramatically in strength. Obviously physically imposing presences and his numbers this summer were off the charts across the board."

PDJ Projection: Derek Wolfe was an impact player last year at DT and has been a monster in the offseason strength program. The Bearcats desperately need someone to disrupt the quarterback on the defensive front with their new style and all signs point to him being the man. I look for him to far surpass his numbers from last season.

John Hughes

Tangibles: 6-2, 305 pounds, Jr.

Last year: 23 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 start

Stripling's take: "He will start at the nose guard position. He is physical, big and extremely smart. He adds real stability. He is a very even keeled guy and very dependable."

PDJ Projection: Hughes will be counted on to be the rock of the defense in both position and demeanor. His 6 TFL in limited playing time last year is an impressive number and as a projected starter all year, that number should rise to the top three or four on the team.

Walter Stewart

Tangibles: 6-5, 226 pounds, Soph.

Last year: 11 starts, 59 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks

Stripling's take: "He has great athleticism. He is truly an edge presence. He will bring an extra pass rusher with a four-man rush or at OLB. A lot of times that position he will drop into coverage and the offense can't zero into anything he is going to do.

"When you have a player of his ability you can get into specific gameplanning of matching him up personnel-wise against somebody you want to see him go against."

PDJ Projection: We talked about Stewart in the linebackers breakdown and both Stripling and Co-DC/LB coach John Jancek agree time will tell how much he will line up at either position, but Stripling points out his versatility will allow them to put him in whatever position creates the biggest mismatch every single week.

Dan Giordano

Tangibles: 6-4, 246 pounds, Soph.

Last year: 0 starts, 42 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks

Stripling's take: "He's a warrior. What you will get from him is the same thing every day: 110 percent, toughness and effort. He loves football and love for the game is unparalleled. He is a treat to coach every day. Don't think anybody would love two-a-days, but he does. He loves two-a-days. He just loves playing football.

"He's maturing. He played last year, but now he in a starting role. He understands he has to get it done and understands he is the guy younger guys are watching now."

PDJ Projection: A lot of pressure on Giordano to become a playmaker on the end opposite Stewart. In his opportunities last year, he shined and if his effort and intensity translates to production he can evolve into one of the premier players on this defense. But anything in the area for 50 tackles, 7-10 TFL and 5-7 sacks would be a big win at the position for UC.

DT/DE Brandon Mills

Tangibles: 5-10, 266 pounds, Soph.

Last year: 0 starts, 25 tackles, 8 TFL, 3.5 sacks

Stripling's take: "One thing we really need out of him is some personality and juice and some energy. That's going to be real important. We are looking for sparkplugs.

"He has experience playing inside, though he's not the biggest guy. He is the changeup guy but with technique, toughness and leverage, he is capable of playing inside. But he has the ability and quickness and athletic ability to play outside. His is not typical inside, but a lot of times that is to his advantage. With he used his leverage he was able to thrive.

PDJ Projection: Stripling admitted he rarely cross-trains a player to play both inside and outside on the defensive line, but Mills fits those rare requirements of savvy despite being undersized inside and speed to work the perimeter. He will see plenty of playing time and the moment anybody goes down he will be the first to take over.

THE NEXT TIER

DE Rob Trigg

Tangibles: 6-3, 264, Jr.

Last year: 2 games, 0 starts, 10 tackles, 2.5 TFL

Stripling's take: "He is mature and is really starting to develop physically."

PDJ Projection: Trigg will hold down the backup end position, but how much playing time he earns will be decided by how well he performs in the fall. With Brandon Mills already filling some gaps, the rotation could close off to him if he struggles.

DT Michael Hilty

Tangibles: 6-4, 242 pounds, RS Fresh.

Last year: Redshirted

DT Sean McClellan

Tangibles: 6-4, 265 pounds, RS Fresh.

DT Roney Lazano

Tangibles: 6-3, 265 pounds, Fresh.

Stripling's take: "They are a youthful group. It will be fun in two-a-days to see who will emerge. We will see how (Lazano) can handle the situation. As a whole we are looking to develop the depth. We feel strong about the first five guys."

PDJ Projection: These three will be at the center of the group of young lineman to keep an eye on as fall progresses. McClellan shined in the spring game with an interception he ran back to set up a score and Hilty will receive plenty of looks as well. Of all the freshman, Lozano is the most physically ready to step in and play now. As Stripling said, the first five look great on paper, but if injuries occur, they need somebody to step in and not allow a huge drop off.

THE FRESHMEN

DE Camaron Beard

Tangibles: 6-6, 235 pounds, Fresh.

DE Brad Harrah

Tangibles: 6-7, 245 pounds, Fresh.

DE Eric Lefeld

Tangibles: 6-7, 230 pounds, Fresh

PDJ Projection: All three of these freshman will have something to prove in order to earn playing time this season. Redshirts are a possibility.



http://www.gobearcats.com/blog/2010/...sive-line.html

Pittsburgh ranked number 14 and West Virginia get picked for 19th slot. U.C. doesn't even show up in top 25. We can't get no respect.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/19945658/

U.C. picked to finish third in Big East
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/199448...lege_football/

In the latest updated recruiting rankings ESPN has decided that UC commit Patrick Coyne should drop from the #17 rated and four star QB to #60 and three stars. What an absolute joke! Yet another example of ESPN's dislike of UC. I get so sick of this sh/t!!!!

ESPN - "Patrick Coyne committed WHERE? Drop his asss to #60 and do it quickly. We can't have a four star QB going to Cincinnati." :p


http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/recru...6season%3d2011

www.catstix.com

Saturday, September 4 - Fresno State - $40
Thursday, September 16 - North Carolina State - $52
Friday, October 15 - Louisville - $52
Saturday, November 13 - West Virginia - $50
Saturday, November 27 - Connecticut - $35

This was intersting to play this game of "What If?"

Arkansas vs Tennessee from 98(?) I think. Both teams undefeated in teh last week. Arkansas leading late, fumbled the ball away allowing the Vols to score and win.

Tennessee went on to face Florida St in the BCS title game.

What if Arkansas did not fumble and went on to win?

(Not sure I've got all these right in order but...)

FSU would have played undefeated OSU in title game instead of Tennessee
OSU's Cooper may not have been fired, thus no room for Tressel at OSU
Tressel goes to Migh St instead
John L Smith stays at Louisville leaving no room for Bobby Petrino
Danotnio stays at UC leaving no room for BK
BK never gets the ND job as a result
Petrino never gets the Louisville job, or the Falcons job that follows

I just received an e-mail about Donor Appreciation Day. As a UC donor, I am eligible to purchase up to 4 Oklahoma tickets for just $15 per ticket. The tickets will be in the upper level.

No. 24 Cincinnati

Coach: Butch Jones (first season; 27-13, fourth season overall) | Staff
Last season: 12-1, 7-0 (1st in Big East); lost to Florida in Sugar Bowl
Returning starters: Offense-6. Defense-5. Specialists-1. | Depth Chart
Final Rivals.com ranking last season: 7th. | Last season's Rivals 120
Breakdown: Offense | Defense | Special teams | Schedule | Overall Outlook | Depth Chart

On Dec. 5, Cincinnati wrapped up a 12-0 regular season and won the Big East title for the second season in a row. The Bearcats needed less than a month to be humbled on two fronts.

First, Brian Kelly left for Notre Dame five days after the end of the regular season. Then, Kelly didn't even stick around for the Sugar Bowl, which the Bearcats lost in convincing fashion to Florida.

But if new coach Butch Jones has similar results as his predecessor - 33 wins and two BCS games in three seasons - Cincinnati administrators and fans will be more than pleased.

Certainly, there's precedent for Jones having success in Kelly's wake. After taking over for Kelly at Central Michigan in 2007, Jones won two MAC championships in three seasons. Unlike Kelly, though, Jones arrives at Cincinnati with Big East experience. He was an assistant at West Virginia in 2005-06 when the Mountaineers went a combined 22-3.

Here's a closer look at the Bearcats.

OFFENSE


Zach Collaros returns as Cincinnati tries to get off to a fast start.
THE SCHEME: Under Jones, Cincinnati will run a similar scheme to the spread it used under Kelly. Expect more balance in the running game, with Jones utilizing RB Isaiah Pead and dual-threat QB Zach Collaros.

STAR POWER: Cincinnati has good reason not to overreact to the loss of Mardy Gilyard, who had 1,000 receiving yards and double-digit touchdown receptions in each of the past two seasons. Armon Binns matched Gilyard's 11 touchdown catches last season with 26 fewer catches. Even as Cincinnati's No. 2 receiver, he was in the top five in the Big East in receiving. At 6 feet 4 and 200 pounds, Binns is a big target and an NFL prospect.

IMPACT NEWCOMER: The nation's seventh-ranked player in the 2007 recruiting class, Vidal Hazelton will have a second chance at Cincinnati. Hazelton caught 50 passes at USC in 2007 but disappeared in '08 before his transfer. Hazelton won't be the No. 1 receiver at Cincinnati, but he should be a key member of one of the best receiving corps in the country.

STRONGEST AREAS: Kelly's system was hard on quarterbacks, but Tony Pike's injury last season gave Collaros a chance to showcase his talent. Collaros went 4-0 as a starter, passing for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns. He can run a little bit, too (132 rushing yards, two touchdowns against USF), and he hasn't lost a game as a starter since before high school. Behind Collaros, backup Chazz Anderson also has starting experience. And beyond Binns and Hazelton at receiver, Cincinnati also has D.J. Woods (51 catches, 540 yards) and Ben Guidugli, potentially an all-conference tight end. The Bearcats also have the best guard tandem in the conference in Jason Kelce and Alex Hoffman.

BIGGEST PROBLEM: The biggest question on the offense is whether the No. 2s can step seamlessly into No. 1 roles. Collaros and Binns starred in supporting duty, but they will be asked to shoulder more responsibility this season. The biggest losses on the offense were on the line, where Cincinnati will need to replace All-Big East T Jeff Linkenbach and C Chris Jurek.

DEFENSE

THE SCHEME: Cincinnati's transition from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 last season didn't work out that well. With a new coaching staff, Cincinnati will switch back to the 4-3 in 2010.

STAR POWER: Derek Wolfe could become one of the top tackles in the Big East. In his first season as a starter, Wolfe proved himself to be a good run-stuffer. He also finished with eight tackles for loss and five sacks.

IMPACT NEWCOMER: The Bearcats stayed within the city limits to sign their top defensive recruit. From Cincinnati's Roger Bacon High, Solomon Tentman may be in position to contribute immediately at linebacker because Tennessee transfer Dorian Davis - a projected starter - left the team after spring practice.

STRONGEST AREA: Cincinnati was young on the line last season, and the Bearcats are hoping to benefit this season after some young linemen were pressed into duty in '09. Wolfe is developing into a standout tackle, and Es Dan Giordano (3.5 sacks) and Brandon Mills (eight tackles for loss) were productive as freshmen. Cincinnati has a hole at middle linebacker without Davis, but the Bearcats have playmakers on the outside. J.K. Schaffer is the leading returning tackler, and Walter Stewart showed he could be a dangerous edge rusher.

DATE OPPONENT
Sept. 4 at Fresno State
Sept. 11 Indiana State
Sept. 16 at N.C. State
Sept. 25 Oklahoma
Oct. 9 Miami (Ohio)
Oct. 15 at Louisville
Oct. 22 USF
Oct. 30 Syracuse
Nov. 13 at West Virginia
Nov. 20 Rutgers
Nov. 27 at Connecticut
Dec. 4 Pittsburgh

BIGGEST PROBLEM: Florida torched Cincinnati's defense for 482 passing yards in the bowl game. That unit will be without its best player, FS Aaron Webster, who was a senior. The secondary collapsed near the end of the season, so developing depth is critical. SS Drew Frey and CB Dominique Battle are returning starters.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Jake Rogers has handled both kicking and punting duties with mixed success over the past couple of season. He has handed the punting job to Patrick O'Donnell this season, which could help Rogers' numbers on field goals (41-of-60 for his career). Because of the depth at wide receiver, Gilyard's absence will be more pronounced in the return game. Backup running back Darrin Williams will return kicks after taking one back for a touchdown in limited duty last season. Woods will get the first look as a punt returner. The punt-coverage unit - which allowed 11 yards per return - must improve.

SCHEDULE

Repeating last year's 12-0 regular season will be a tall task given the schedule. Cincinnati playa a game west of the Mississippi River for the fourth consecutive season when it opens at Fresno State. The Bearcats have a high-profile game at the Bengals' Paul Brown Stadium against Oklahoma, which waxed the Bearcats 52-26 in their last meeting in 2008. After September, Cincinnati's schedule eases up, at least in terms of road trips. The Bearcats play only three conference road games, though two will be against contenders West Virginia and Connecticut.

OVERALL OUTLOOK

The new-look Big East hasn't been kind to new coaches of former champions. Rich Rodriguez and Bobby Petrino led West Virginia and Louisville, respectively, to BCS appearances, but those schools have fallen - Louisville much more than WVU - since coaching changes. Cincinnati hopes to be the exception to that rule under Jones. While a repeat of 12-0 seems unlikely, Cincinnati has enough offense to remain in Big East contention. The defense is the Achilles' heel, but it can't be much worse than it was at the end of last season, can it?

- David Fox

OFFENSE
QB Zach Collaros (6-0/209, Jr.)
Chazz Anderson (6-0/209, Jr.)
RB Isaiah Pead (5-10/193, Jr.)
Josh Goebel (6-1, 213, Sr.)
WR Armon Binns (6-4/200, Sr.)
Jamar Howard (6-4/210, Sr.)
WR Vidal Hazelton (6-2/210, Sr.)
O.J. Woodard (6-2/214, Jr.)
WR D.J. Woods (6-0/175, Jr.)
Marcus Barnett (6-2/174, Sr.)
TE Ben Guidugli (6-0/237, Sr.)
Adrien Robinson (6-6/280, R-Fr.)
LT Samuel Griffin (6-4/275, Sr.)
Sean Hooey (6-8/296, Soph.)
LG Jason Kelce (6-4/290, Sr.)
Randy Martinez (6-1/277, Jr.)
C Evan Davis (6-4/262, Jr.)
Dan Sprague (6-3/260, R-Fr.)
RG Alex Hoffman (6-5/293, Jr.)
T.J. Franklin (6-4/287, Jr.)
RT C.J. Cobb (6-4/304, Sr.)
Andre Cureton (6-6/280, R-Fr.)
K Jake Rogers (6-3/205, Sr.)
PR D.J. Woods (6-0/175, Jr.)

DEFENSE
E Brandon Mills (5-10/266, Soph.)
Michael Hilty (6-4/242, R-Fr.)
NT John Hughes (6-2/305, Jr.)
Jordan Stepp (6-0/286, R-Fr.)
T Derek Wolfe (6-5/302, Jr.)
Sean McClellan (6-4/265, R-Fr.)
E Dan Giordano (6-4/246, Soph.)
Rob Trigg (6-3/264, Jr.)
ILB Ricardo Thompson (6-1/227, Jr.)
Alex Delisi (6-2/225, Jr.)
OLB J.K. Schaffer (6-1/223, Jr.)
Maalik Bomar (6-1/195, Soph.)
OLB Walter Stewart (6-5/226, Soph.)
Robby Armstrong (6-2/222, Jr.)
CB Dominique Battle (6-0/193, Jr.)
Chris Williams (6-0/190, Soph.)
CB Camerron Cheatham (5-9/187, Soph.)
Rueben Johnson (5-10/173, Soph.)
FS Wesley Richardson (6-0/193, Jr.)
Quincy Quetant (6-1/209, R-Fr.)
SS Drew Frey (6-4/205, Soph.)
Pat Lambert (6-1/193, Soph.)
P Patrick O'Donnell (6-5/210, Soph.)
KR Darrin Williams (5-7/280, Soph.)




http://collegefootball.rivals.com/co...sp?CID=1105783

This is odd. Indiana St. lost their OC today to Texas A&M. Why? Because the OC at Texas A&M was our old friend Steve Kragthorpe had to resign before the season starts because of family medical issues.

So, No Kragthorpe at Lousviille anymore and now our FCS opponent is missing an OC becuase of him. Small world.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5411050

This all being said I certainly hope that Krag's family issues get resolved with a positive result.

http://www.sportingnews.com/college-...-41-cincinnati

As a UC homer, I think that this is total BS.

I read today that he is no longer with the team? Does anyone have any insights as to why? I thought he looked very promising for a young guy at MLB, and was the projected starter there.

I thought this could could be a good catch all thread for the various pre season articles written about the team.

Here's one from The Sporting News:

http://www.sportingnews.com/college-...ionship-season

"The Bearcats aren't as loaded on defense" - that's a strange statement given our defensive struggles last year.