The Cincinnati Bearcats took the American Athletic Conference by storm last season going 11-2 after being Virginia Tech in the Military Bowl. Last season, EIC J.T. Smith predicted the Bearcats would go 6-6 and we are happy he was wrong. This year I’ll predict how the season goes, big expectations call for big predictions.
Week 1: vs. UCLA
Score Prediction: UC 34 UCLA 20
I think that this year’s team will be a high scoring team once again. They will come out hungry because they want to prove themselves and live up to all the hype this team already has. I’m going with a win for this game because they will be focused and prepared for UCLA and not thinking about the big game that is looming the week after. I believe UCLA should be improved under second year head coach Chip Kelly. Some of the deciding factors of the game will be UCLA having to travel across the country for a Thursday night game and a very loud Nippert Stadium. As well as the talent that UC is returning on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. This team will want to prove that last year’s win was not a fluke.
Week 2: at Ohio State
Score Prediction: UC 35 OSU 38
This will be only the second matchup between the two teams since 2006. I believe that both teams will come into this matchup 1-0 and ready for a big inner state battle. There is potential for this game to be dominated by one side of the ball with both teams possessing firepower on offense and having a killer defense. OSU has the clear advantage of playing at The Horseshoe, but this UC team will be one of the most talented and challenging teams to play OSU at home this year.
Side Note: Luke Fickell has more wins as a head coach at The Horseshoe than Ryan Day.
Week 3: vs. Miami (OH)
Score Prediction: UC 42 Miami of Ohio 28
Since 2006, Cincinnati has won 13 straight dating back to 2006, with some games being very close and others being a blowout. The RedHawks still lead the series 59-57-7. Last year UC dominated the game at Paul Brown and I don’t see any reason for this year to be any different, being a home game at Nippert Stadium. My only concern might be the possibility of a letdown after playing Ohio State.
Week 4: at Marshall
Score Prediction: UC 24 Marshall 14
The Thundering Herd and the Bearcats didn’t play last season, but in 2017, in Fickell’s first year as head coach, The Thundering Herd came in and beat the Bearcats at home 38-21. A much different Bearcats team will be taking the field this year, Fickell’s guys are running his system, the team as a whole is more experienced and this is UC’s last chance to iron out any wrinkles before conference play starts.
