3 reasons why the Bearcats playoff run is replicable

Luke Fickell has helped turn Cincinnati into the Group of Five’s most premier program with back to back historically dominant campaigns but there’s reason to believe the success can continue into 2022 and beyond. The Bearcats coaching staff rivals any other unit in the American Conference, while the reloaded roster has a chance to shine behind a brand new starting quarterback and a talent-rich defense.

3 reasons why the Bearcats playoff run is replicable

1) Luke Fickell is a top tier head coach

Despite fielding a number of high level head coaching offers during the offseason, Fickell decided to return to Cincinnati for a sixth season. He has elevated the Bearcats to an annual conference contender and became the first head coach to lead a Group of Five team to the College Football Playoff last year. Fickell had a focused vision from the moment he stepped foot on campus and there’s no doubt the entire program has bought in.

The Bearcats are 44-7 over the last four years including a resounding 29-3 against American opponents. It’s going to be difficult to remain winning at such an extremely high success rate but the team has a chance to secure a third consecutive conference championship. Fickell has surrounded himself with experienced coaches including former Big Ten coordinators Kerry Coombs and Mike Tressel, as well as promoting new play caller Gino Guidugli to replace Mike Denbrock.

2) The defense doesn’t expect to drop off

Following departures from defensive standouts Sauce Gardner, Darrian Beavers, Coby Bryant and Myjai Sanders, the Bearcats will look to avoid a significant step back. It’s going to take time to break in a new secondary as senior cornerbacks Arquon Bush and Justin Harris are projected to start after doing so in the spring game. Since appearing in all 14 games a year ago, Todd Bumphis is also expected to see a lot of action at cornerback.

Sauce Gardner”Cincinnati is a program where I feel like when people leave, we still have talent,” Bush explained to the Cincinnati Enquirer after the spring game. “We’ve got a lot of depth so when guys leave, I don’t know why people expect something different or for something to change. We’re still Cincinnati and we’re still going to do what we do best.”

Graduate seniors Ja’Von Hicks and Jabari Taylor are also returning with an opportunity to close their career on a high note. Hicks racked up 129 total tackles and seven interceptions in 47 games, while Taylor appeared in all 14 games last year and compiled 29 tackles and two sacks. Even though several veterans moved onto the NFL, the Bearcats should bring back a staunch secondary and a physically-imposing defensive line.

3) Position players with help ease in new signal caller

Desmond Ridder was also a major reason why Cincinnati took a noticeable leap forward in recent years. The two-time American Offensive Player of the Year will likely be replaced by either Evan Prater or Ben Bryant under center. Prater is the highest rated recruit in school history but played sparingly behind Ridder in 2021, throwing for 38 yards and two touchdowns in seven games.

Bryant spent three years as the Bearcats back up before transferring to Eastern Michigan, where he threw for 3,121 yards and 14 touchdowns in 13 games, but decided to return to Cincinnati during the offseason. Both quarterbacks connected with freshman tight end Chamon Metayer for a touchdown reception in the spring game a week ago. Bryant certainly has better accuracy and more experience but Prater is a more dynamic athlete with exceptional arm talent, strength and size.

No matter who ends up starting in the season opener in early September at Arkansas, they will have to lean on a strong offensive line and a slew of skilled playmakers like wide receivers Tyler Scott and Tre Tucker, running backs Charles McClelland and Ryan Montgomery, and senior tight end Josh Whyle. It might be nearly impossible to replicate what Ridder and the program was able to accomplish in 2021 but Fickell doesn’t seem ready to slow down any time soon.