After a 2013 season that saw Central Florida dominate the AAC on its way to a BCS bowl win, this season should prove to be much more competitive thanks to the departure of Louisville (final overall ranking of 15 in ’13) to the ACC, and UCF stud QB Blake Bortles, who was the first quarterback selected in April’s NFL draft.
With a more wide-open AAC comes greater opportunity, and Cincinnati is poised to take full advantage this season. Coach Tommy Tuberville has a Bearcats team that features an offense loaded with talent and an underrated defense that finished 6th in the nation against the run last season.
Taking over the Bearcats offense will be Notre Dame transfer QB Gunner Kiel, a big-time recruit out of high school who originally committed to Indiana before switching to LSU and then finally to Notre Dame. He has never taken a college snap but his potential is hard to ignore.
The Cincinnati offense will go as Kiel goes, as he is by far the biggest question mark in an offense that otherwise features dependable WR Shaq Washington (77 catches 791 yards) and a “lightning and thunder” duo of R.D. Anthony IV and Hosey Williams in the backfield. Tuberville has said that he wants to develop a vertical passing attack with the strong-armed Kiel under center, which bodes well for deep-threats Chris Moore (14.3 yards per catch) and Max Morrison (15.4 yards per catch).
With the loss of DTs Jordan Stepp and Adam Dempsey (9.5 sacks combined), the Bearcats will depend on a very good pass rush led by DE Silverberry Mouhon (12.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks) and DE Brad Harrah (10 tackles for loss, 4 sacks) along with LB Nick Temple (5.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss). If these guys are able to perform at the same level as last year and a pair of new DTs step up, look for Cincinnati to be solid defensively once again.
Although Cincinnati does have a talented roster from top to bottom, there are multiple teams in the American that may be just as talented. East Carolina and Houston have two of the best quarterbacks in the conference in Shane Carden and John O’Korn, and UCF returns most of its key players from last season’s 12-1 team.
What separates Cincinnati from those three teams is its schedule. Cincinnati does not play UCF this season and plays only one top 40 team in Ohio State. Its next best opponent is Miami, a team that is not short on talent but seems to fail to show up to at least three games per season.
If Cincinnati can live up to its potential and take advantage of its watered-down schedule, look for the Bearcats to be crowned AAC champions at the end of the 2014 season.
Predicted AAC Final Standings (Conference Records Only)
1. Cincinnati Bearcats (8-0)
2. Houston Cougars (7-1)
A more mature O’Korn is a scary thought for the rest of the American.
3. Central Florida Knights (7-1)
UCF will make another run, but Houston’s high-powered offense will be too much for them.
4. East Carolina Pirates (6-2)
Despite returning many key players from a 10-3 team, the Pirates will find it difficult to beat the top teams in the American.
5. Southern Methodist Mustangs (4-4)
6. Tulane Green Wave (4-4)
New to the conference and full of young talent, Tulane is a season away from being a contender in the American.
7. Memphis Tigers (3-5)
8. Connecticut Huskies (2-6)
Coach Bob Diaco has done a good job so far at UConn, but the Huskies have a long way to go.
9. Temple Owls (2-6)
10. South Florida Golden Bulls (1-7)
USF will continue to struggle with Coach Willie Taggart’s complicated offensive schemes.
11. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (0-8)
Thank you for reading. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For the latest in sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Football fans…check out our two partnered NFL podcasts – Thursday Night Tailgate Radio and Overtime Ireland. Both shows bring you interesting commentary, critical analysis and fantastic guests including former and current NFL players, coaches and personalities.
