Cincinnati Football: Luke Fickell and returning starters react to AAC media day

Despite winning back to back conference championships and returning several significant starters, the Bearcats were voted to finish in second place behind Houston in the preseason media poll. Jabari Taylor, senior defensive lineman, discussed the media’s decision per the Bearcat Report: “Of course it’s fuel to the fire. Any fuel, we’re gonna take.”

Cincinnati Football: Luke Fickell and returning starters react to AAC media day

"“I don’t put a whole lot of stock in it. We have a bunch of objectives that won’t change based on how the polls come out,” Luke Fickell explained via the Bearcat Report. “I think we’ve got a plan and it’ll just be a little different than it was last year. With the exception of a couple positions, we have a lot more leadership than people would know.”"

According to the American Athletic Conference, Fickell also commented on the Bearcats ongoing quarterback battle: “There’s everything to be evaluated. That’s the beauty of fall camp. We haven’t had a true quarterback battle in quite a while. We’ve been very fortunate to have Desmond Ridder, who pretty much started for four years.”

Ben Bryant and Evan Prater enter training camp as potential starting quarterbacks with a chance to lead an experienced and talented offense. Senior receiver Tre Tucker touched on both signal callers via the Bearcat Report: “I know we’ll be in good hands, whoever is out there the first game. They’re both tremendous leaders.”

"Cincinnati is hoping to compete for another conference championship before departing for the Big 12 next summer. Tucker later talked about the preseason media poll per the American Athletic Conference: “It’s never how you start, it’s how you finish. Never put too much stock in the preseason polls.”"