What To Watch For In Weeks 1-2 (In Lieu of the Bearcats)
As we all well know, the Bearcats have two bye weeks to open the 2014 season, due to reconfiguring the schedule on late notice (to add a home-and-home with Miami-FL). While we wait impatiently through these first two weekends, here are some other games to keep an eye on.
Week 1
UConn vs. BYU (Fri. 8/29, 7:00, ESPN) – This game is first on the list only because it occurs first, on Friday night. UConn hasn’t exactly been a powerhouse since Randy Edsall’s departure, but UC does have to visit them in bitterly cold Hartford in late November, so you just never know. Former UC Defensive Coordinator Bob Diaco now leads the Huskies. BYU could also be a team of interest to UC this season, as the Cougars have signed an agreement to be The American’s opponent in the inaugural Miami Beach Bowl this December.
SMU @ #10 Baylor (Sun. 8/31, 7:30, FS1) – SMU heads to Waco to christen Baylor’s shiny, new, state-of-the-art 45,000-seat McLane Stadium, and the Mustangs will be replacing their starting QB. Sophomore Neal Burcham takes over under center for Garrett Gilbert, and he will be tested early, with a road opener at Baylor, then a Week 3 visit from Texas A&M. Led by Bryce Petty, Baylor’s high powered offense will be a good measuring stick for SMU’s defense. We’ll see if Burcham can keep up with Petty.
Miami (FL) @ Louisville (Mon. 9/01, 8:00, ESPN) – Miami opens the season on the road against a familiar foe to Bearcat fans. And look, another UC opponent is breaking in a brand-new starter at QB. The ‘Canes will send true Freshman Brad Kaaya under center for a conference opener on the road. Will Kaaya shine like Jameis Winston did in last year’s ACC season opener, or will it be a slow start for The U? We’ll see.
Week 2
Toledo @ #24 Mizzou (Sat. 9/06, Noon, ESPN) – Toledo opens the season against FCS patsie New Hamphshire, but then goes to visit a ranked Mizzou team in Week 2. Obviously, this game is of great interest to the Bearcats, as Toledo will then come visit Paul Brown Stadium on a short turnaround for Cincinnati’s opener on Friday, September 12. While you may not scour the game tape like Tuberville and Co. will, keep an eye out for how new starting QB Phillip Ely handles the offense against a quality team. Before transferring, Ely carried a clipboard at Alabama behind AJ McCarron and Blake Sims for two years, and you have to respect anyone who comes from the SEC, even if he was a third-stringer. If the Rockets can keep it close against Mizzou, I will be a lot more worried about their visit to Cincinnati.
#5 Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech (Sat. 9/06, 8:00, ESPN) – Yet another UC opponent breaking in a new starting QB. Keep an eye on redshirt Freshman J.T. Barrett, who takes over for the injured Braxton Miller at OSU. How will Barrett perform in his first test against strong competition, a home date with Virginia Tech? We’ll see, and I’m intrigued, since he will face the Bearcats three weeks later. And of course, OSU can’t overlook Navy, a team that gave them quite a scare back in ’09, and has also given Brian Kelly and Notre Dame a few fits. OSU opens the season on the road at future AAC member Navy (game moved from Annapolis to Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium).
East Carolina @ #9 South Carolina (Sat. 9/06, 7:00, ESPN2) – After opening the season against FCS North Carolina Central, we’ll get to see the Pirates face a tough test, as they hit the road to face Steve Spurrier and his SEC East division favorite South Carolina Gamecocks. Senior QB Shane Carden may be the best UC will face this year, but ECU has a murderer’s row non-league schedule, also visiting Virginia Tech and hosting #23 North Carolina. There’s a good chance the Pirates will be sitting at 2-2 or 1-3 coming in to conference play, but don’t be fooled – they will contend in The American. Don’t be surprised if ECU puts up some good showings, and pulls an upset or two.