Oct 2, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; The Cincinnati Bearcats mascot gestures to the crowd in the second quarter of the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports — © Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Bearcats Crack Top-15 in Athlon Sports' Way-Too-Early Top-25 College Football Rankings

Athlon Sports is giving Luke Fickell's crew plenty of respect in their pursuit of a reload.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Updated:
May 26, 2022 9:52 AM EDT

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati football is teetering on the edge of most Way-Too-Early Top-25 rankings this spring, but one major site isn't ready to doubt the Bearcats. Athlon Sports writer Steve Lassen slotted UC at No. 15 in his rankings released this week.

"Despite significant losses on both sides of the ball," Lassen wrote. "Winning double-digit games for the fourth time in five years is within reach for the Bearcats. Desmond Ridder is in the NFL, but the quarterback situation is in good hands with either Ben Bryant or Evan Prater. Jerome Ford will be missed at running back too. However, Kiner (LSU transfer, 4.1 ypc last year) headlines the next wave of capable options in the backfield. Josh Whyle and Leonard Taylor form one of the top tight end duos in college football, while Tyler Scott (30 catches) and Tre Tucker (34) are back to alleviate the loss of Alec Pierce at receiver. All five starters are back up front to give Cincinnati the top offensive line in the AAC. New standouts are needed on a defense that led the way for a trip to the CFB Playoff by holding teams to 4.7 yards per play and 16.9 points a game last season.

"Myjai Sanders and Curtis Brooks are gone up front, Darrian Beavers and Joel Dublanko depart at linebacker, and three key starters in the secondary are gone, including standout cornerbacks Ahmad Gardner and Coby Bryant. However, don't expect a drastic drop in production. Coach Luke Fickell will find the right answers here, and the depth chart isn't lacking talent. Up front, Potter (Ohio State transfer), Jowon Briggs and Malik Vann will be another standout line, with Ty Van Fossen and Deshawn Pace leading the way at linebacker. Ja'von Hicks (safety) and Arquon Bush (cornerback) headline the next wave of stars in the secondary."

Baylor (No. 11) and Oklahoma (No. 13) were the only 2023 Big 12 teams ranked higher than Cincinnati. This forecast is a slight departure from The Athletic, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated—who all had Cincinnati in the final five slots of their respective lists.

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