Cincy on the Prowl
Fansided

Cincinnati Football’s Seven Most Important Games of 2016

By Bearcat Jones

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Sep 24, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Gunner Kiel (11) dives for a touchdown against Memphis Tigers defensive back Dion Witty (27) during the game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Gunner Kiel (11) dives for a touchdown against Memphis Tigers defensive back Dion Witty (27) during the game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
  1. Memphis (Nov. 18 – Week 12)

This one’s not a division game, and Paxton Lynch and Justin Fuente are both gone, but this game is important because, well, the Bearcats owe Memphis one for what happened last September in the Liberty Bowl.  More specifically, they owe Memphis DB Chauncey Lanier for the utterly dirty headshot he took on a sliding Gunner Kiel that arguably ruined Gunner’s season.  Yes, Kiel came back several weeks later, but he was never the same.

But the biggest reason this game is at #3, above BYU and above Houston, is because it’s so late in the season.  This will be a difficult game (even without Lynch, who bolted early for the NFL draft, Memphis still has lots of talent on the roster), and it has to be a win if UC is to stay near the top of the East division standings.  It’s the second to last game of the year, wedged in-between pushovers UCF and Tulsa.  So UC-Memphis may very well mean the difference between the Bearcats winning the AAC East or settling for another mediocre season.  Another game I’m glad to have at home inside Nippert.

Also, Memphis is a common opponent among UC, USF, and Temple, which is a component of the tiebreaking procedure if there is a 3-way tie atop the East division.

Next: #3 Most Important Game