After a later start than most to its season, Cincinnati has finally reached the halfway point with a disappointing 3-3 (1-1 AAC) record given its preseason expectations. The Bearcats were heavy favorites to win the AAC, and some even believed they could contend for a College Football Playoff spot or at least a major bowl berth.
As it is now, they find themselves seventh in the AAC standings looking up at three teams expected to contend for the title (ECU, UCF and Houston) and three other teams that combined for seven wins last season (Temple, Memphis and USF). The Bearcats sit ahead of Tulane, Tulsa, UConn and SMU, which are four of the worst teams in the FBS.
The 2014 season has been all but predictable for Cincinnati. The highs and lows have ranged from Gunner Kiel’s record-setting debut to allowing 710, 610 and 621 yards to Ohio State, Memphis and Miami (FL) respectively.
Aside from the inconsistent product on-the-field, Tommy Tuberville and the football program have had to deal with some strife off-the-field as well. Cincinnati experienced tragedy in the death of freshman Chamoda Kennedy-Palmore in a motorcycle accident early in the year. With the arrest this weekend of back-up quarterback Jarred Evans, six members of the UC football program (five players and one employee) have now been arrested this season.
With all that said, below are a few grades I’m giving as a midseason report card for the 2014 Cincinnati Bearcats. I’m giving individual grades for the offense, defense, special teams and coaching so far, and then an overall grade to sum it all up.
Offense: B
If Gunner Kiel hadn’t emerged as the player he has been, this team would be in a world of trouble. Kiel and his ability to spread the ball around to a deep and highly-talented corps of receivers has been remarkable, especially considering he hadn’t taken a snap in a game since his senior year of high school back in 2011.
Kiel is leading an offense that ranks 12th nationally in passing yards per game with 322.8 and 38th in points per game with 34.3. Tuberville would like to see his completion percentage much higher as he is only at 59.4% right now, but Kiel is making impact plays as he averages 8.4 yards per attempt with 19 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
I probably would have given the offense an A here, but the struggles in the ground game are enough to take them down a notch. They currently rank 110th in the country in rushing yards per game with just 120.2, and their top two running backs, Hosey Williams and Tion Green, continue to miss time with injuries.
Defense: F
I mentioned the horrendous three-game stretch against the Buckeyes, Tigers and Hurricanes in the opening, and as much as I don’t want to believe the Bearcats deserve an F here, the numbers dictate the grade. Cincinnati is allowing 524 yards and 34.5 points per game, which ranks 120th in total defense and 103rd in scoring defense. That 524 ypg average even includes a good game against a horrible SMU offense in which it held the Mustangs to 276 yards.
The numbers don’t get any better when you dig deeper either. Cincinnati is allowing 242.3 rushing yards and 281.7 passing yards per game, good for 119th and 110th in college football respectively. Missed tackles, open receivers, lack of pressure on the quarterback and getting gashed up the middle have all been constant themes for the Bearcats defense this season. I have said this before and maintain the belief that they have enough talent to turn it around enough to still challenge for the AAC title, but until they show it against a quality opponent on the field this grade will stand.
Special Teams: B
This is a huge area of improvement for the Bearcats from last year. Between allowing huge returns and touchdowns, not really generating many big plays for themselves on returns and Tony Miliano only making seven of his 17 field goal attempts, things were rough on special teams in 2013.
This year however, Cincinnati has quite a few bright spots on special teams. Johnny Holton has played well as the lead kickoff return man for the ‘Cats, averaging 21.4 per return with a long of 40 on the season. Freshman kicker Andrew Gantz supplanted Miliano in the offseason and has performed admirably, making 7-of-8 field goal attempts including a 2-for-2 mark on kicks longer than 40 yards.
Despite losing the field goal duties, Miliano held on to his kickoff job and has 20 touchbacks in 40 attempts. Between punters Sam Geraci and John Lloyd, the Bearcats have downed six punts inside the 20 and forced six fair catches in 31 punts.
Coaching: C-
Tommy Tuberville’s job is certainly not in jeopardy, but there certainly has been some chatter around the program concerning the job he is doing. Between his refusal to consider changes in the defensive coaching staff, a perceived struggle to “motivate the troops” and make in-game adjustments at times, and an uptick in off-the-field issues in the program Tuberville has come under some heat in Cincinnati. How he handles the developing Evans situation could say a lot because the early reports of a violent assault do not look good for the quarterback.
That said, the university brass are fully behind Tuberville and believe he is the coach and man to lead this program to where it wants to be—in a Power Five conference. With the Nippert Stadium renovation and expansion in full-swing and the desire to find a home in a premier athletic conference, UC needs Tuberville and his program to turn this season around and make a good impression locally and nationally. At this juncture, struggles both on and off the field are a cause for concern for Cincinnati football going forward.
Overall: C+
A lackluster 3-3 record combined with a struggling defense and some questions to be answered off the field buoyed by a good offense and solid special teams result in an overall C+ grade for the Bearcats at the 2014 midseason mark. With a favorable schedule left and a talented squad, I think Tuberville and his team can turn it around and contend for the AAC crown. However, they will need help from some other teams to get there, and they need to start by cleaning up the defense and their off-the-field issues to earn a better grade.
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