Last week the Cincinnati Bearcats clinched the AAC East, making them Champs with an 15-13 win versus Temple. With the win you witnessed a strong defense, special teams and a nice running game, but the passing game left a lot to be imagined.
The last two games the Bearcats have averaged 70.0 yards a game in the passing game. To highlight the last two games against USF on the road Desmond Ridder threw for 78 yards, against Temple at home he threw for 62 yards and going 18-of-43 passing which is a whopping 41.8%. During this span he’s thrown zero touchdowns and had an interception. Honestly I think Ridder is pushing through a right shoulder injury, but he’s looked off both weeks. If he’s hurt, where he’s missing throws they may have to turn to redshirt freshman Ben Bryant to inject life into the passing game. If that’s the case once Ridder is healthy he should assume his position as starter, but if they can’t start getting close to 200 yards a game or more through the air it will be hard to play in a New Years Six game.
It has been a weird season for the redshirt sophomore after being the Rookie of the Year in the American Athletic Conference, most expected him to jump to become an All-Conference quarterback, but that hasn’t been the case. Earlier in the season I think he was getting adjusted to the new offensive line that has had a ton of injuries and Michigan transfer James Hudson not being granted immediate eligibility. He’s had some nice games before the last two weeks, but he hasn’t been as sharp. The deep ball has been late at times allowing the defensive back to make a play on a clear big play, they’ve always had big drops when the ball is on time and the ball hasn’t been put in the correct place on slants and in routes at times. All of the reasons have led to an anemic passing game lately.
Can the Bearcats get this unit to start putting up more yards to end the season? That is the million dollar question! It is possible, but it starts with using more early down play action plays, screens and quick passes so Ridder can catch an early flow. Josiah Deguara must be featured more because of his talent. The running game will be the focus of every team that plays them until the season is over and they will do numbers, but if they want to beat the top tier teams the passing game has to get back in gear. Ridder has the talent, that’s never been the question, but he has to morph back into his freshman form as far as passing production.
How the 10-1 AAC East Champions finish the season will depend on the passing game.
