The Cincinnati Bearcats officially joined the Big 12 conference just two weeks, but they quickly turned the page to gear up for their first ever Big 12 Media Days that took place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. However, despite officially joining the Big 12 conference back on July 1, the Bearcats knew that work was just getting started as they look to make history later this year. “We had so much buildup and so many things we and to put into place to get to this point,” John Cunningham told TFON.
The University of Cincinnati celebrated the induction to the Big 12, not only with the introduction release of the University of Cincinnati’s NIL Collective Beer in Cincy Light that took place at Rhinegeist Brewary back on June 30th, but with a celebration of their own as well. “July first hit and we had a little celebration but once July 2nd hit, it was time to go out there and compete and see what we can do in this great conference,” said Cunningham.
However, as the Bearcats prepare for their inaugural season within the Big 12, a lot of people are continuing to write the Bearcats off early after being voted 13th in the Big 12 preseason polls. “According to the media we aren’t going to be competitive,” joked Satterfield at Big 12 Media Days at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. “I told the team yesterday before flying down here about the polls, and they were like, we’ll show them! However, when you’re picked at the bottom of the polls every day you train, you have to train like you are there to prove something.”
A word that was brought up quite a bit throughout the week at Big 12 media days was “parity.” Just about every Big 12 coach mentioned the word parity, when referencing the preseason polls. As we have seen in recent years the preseason polls don’t mean much, as 2021 Big 12 champion Baylor was projected to finish 8th in the preseason polls, 2022 champions Kansas State was also voted 8th to kick off the season. That in itself alone should say a lot the talent within the Big 12.
Defensive lineman Jowon Briggs is looking to help lead the Bearcats later this fall after seeing the Bearcats picked 13th to kick off their first season in the Big 12 conference. However, Briggs is using that as extra motivation in preparation for his 5th season of college football, (third with the Bearcats). “I’m the kind of guy who likes to put his head down and work,” Briggs said. “I am here to do my best for the team and continue with our slogan, effort, attitude, and toughness.” Briggs, mentions how he has really spent this offseason changing his body under new strength and conditioning coach Niko Palazeti. Briggs, played the 2022 season at roughly 325 pounds, but the 5th year senior told the media this week at Big 12 media days, he intends to play this upcoming season around 300 pounds, and play that defensive edge position, after playing a lot of nose tackle a season ago.
“Coach Niko and his staff have done a tremendous job, he’s been hitting the ground running, there’s really no drop off from Coach Brady Collins,” Briggs said. “We have actually been making some great strides and I am nothing but thankful to have a guy like Niko Palazeti around the weight room.”
