While were a Prep site, we still follow college football and the teams in
Ohio. With many Ohio players taking the field for these teams we felt the need
to give you some insight on what may lie ahead for these teams. We start with
our first Ohio team and will take looks at the others during the next few
months.
University of Cincinnati
Returning Offensive Lettermen: 25
Returning Defensive Lettermen: 23
Returning Special Teams Lettermen: 3
Lettermen Lost: 13
Head Coach: Mark Dantonio - 1st Year as HC
With a quick stroke UC fired Rick Minter after years of rebuilding the
Bearcats into a real program. With a decent job of recruiting, Minter and his
staff took a dead program and made it into a team capable of going to bowl
games. That they did, but was Minter the right coach to take the team into Big
East play for the 2005 season? The UC athletic department felt not, and hired
Ohio State assistant coach Mark Dantonio in December.
The first order of business for Dantonio was the recruiting class of 2004. He
ponder the question of keeping the prospects recruited by Minter or to release
them and start over. Dantonio took the chance and released all the recruits and
allowed his staff to start the process over in hopes of finding the players
needed to build a winner in the years to come.
After taking a hit from critics, Dantonio stood his ground and found the
makings of a top recruiting class. While many outsiders didn't see the impact of
this class, don't be fooled. The Bearcats got some top talent to add to what was
already coming back for this season.
The Bearcats have a schedule that won't be easy. With an opening date against
Ohio State the Bearcats will then take on Miami of Ohio and Syracuse before
seeing an easy game against East Carolina. Then they see UAB followed by Army,
Memphis, TCU, Southern Mississippi and USF before closing at rival Louisville on
the road.
What areas will the Bearcats find as their strengths in 2004? Let's take a
look at the players who will make a difference.
OFFENSE
In his final year of play QB Gino Guidugli will let the ball fly one more
time. The question will be what offense Coach Dantonio will play. If the coach
allows the QB to throw the ball around, look out. While Guidugli wasn't accurate
in 2003, a new season with better receivers could make the difference. Also if
the offense gets better play from running back Richard Hall the Bearcats will
have a one-two punch any team would love to have. Look for linemen Kyle Takavitz
to be a key for the Bearcats.
DEFENSE
The defense was the strength early last season. With great outside pass
rushers the Bearcats gave many teams fits. Late season lets down hurt the
defense and the strength became a weakness. Look for former Xenia High School's
Trent Cole to have another big season for the Bearcats. After having a great
year last season, Cole is set to become a force and could see his NFL draft
stock rise with a great season. On the other side of Cole is Andre Frazier. He
and Cole could become the best two outside rushers in college football this
year.
KEY GAMES
Ohio State - 9/14 - Can the Bearcats scare the
Buckeyes like they did in 2002? With the Buckeyes working in a new quarterback
and missing many of the key players from the past two seasons anything is
possible. Will Allen won't be there to save the Buckeyes, but with a new
coaching staff and schemes being put in for the first time by the Bearcats look
for the Buckeyes to win this match-up.
Syracuse - 9-18 - Traveling to the Dome is never
easy for any team. The Orange coaching staff needs a big season to keep their
jobs, and the Bearcats could mean a victory. Look for the Orange to take the
Bearcats lightly and this game could see Coach Dantonio record his first victory
as UC's head man.
TCU - 10/30 - Playing at home UC will need to beat
TCU for any chance to win or share in the final C-USA title. The Bearcats have a
chance to come into this game with a 5-2 record or even a 6-1mark if things go
well. TCU will give the Bearcats a tough game and this one could be settled with
a big play on special teams.
Louisville - 11/27 - Always a big game. The Cards
want a share of the C-USA title and bowl placement. This game almost never goes
as plan and I don't see anything to change that in this years match-up. The edge
is with the Cards, but you never know when these two teams hook up.
UC will have many tough games in the 2004 season. With teams like Memphis,
Southern Miss and South Florida all looking to de-claw the cats.
WHY THE SEASON WILL BE A SUCCESS
Just too much talent in the senior class. With key seniors at many of the
positions the Bearcats have the players to win. If they don't win at least a
share of the C-USA title or a bowl bid the season was a failure.
WHY THE SEASON WILL NOT BE A SUCCESS
New coaching staff that wants to put their mark on the team now and for the
future. How many players really return from last years team is yet to be seen.
Buzz is Dantonio and crew have tightened some bolts on players and some may
leave. Is the coaching staff working for victories this season or for their
first in the Big East in 2005? That could determine what road of success the
Bearcats achieve in 2004.
TOP NEW PLAYERS
The Dantonio staff started over when they took over. But they hit the road
hard and found much talent to stock the Bearcats for the future.
TOP FIVE RECRUITS
LAMONTE NELMS - RAVENNA HIGH SCHOOL - This safety prospect
could grow into a linebacker before all is said and done. While he was
underrated by many look for this kid to blossom into a top player for the
Bearcats in the future.
BRADLEY GLATTHAAR - ELDER HIGH SCHOOL - Another underrated
recruit that could become gold for the Bearcats. All the kid knows how to do is
win and play hard. Look for him to pick up the tough yards and play a big role
down the road.
TYJUAN JONES - TROTWOOD-MADISON HS - Another steal by the
new staff. Was a verbal to the Big 10 and will see his future rise when the
Bearcats head into the Big East. While listed as a DB, could grow into a
linebacker or play at strong safety.
DELBERT FERGUSON - WARREN HARDING HS - The marquee name for
this class. Delbert was being recruited by many top schools all over the
country. An injury at the end of his senior season and questions about his
ability to catch the ball out of the backfield keep some from recruiting him
harder.
KHALIL EL-AMIN - PURCELL MARIAN HS - A monster of an
offensive lineman El-Amin will see his stock soar with hard work and increase
playing time. Big time prospect that has the size to play as a true freshman.
Prospect that is a steal by the Bearcat staff and one that will have other
college coaches scratching their heads in years to come.
2004 SEASON
Anytime that a team has a coaching change there will be questions. The
Bearcats have the numbers you want to see from a team in terms of senior
leadership. The question will be if the new system will be understood by them
and will they be able to play the system on the field. Things look good for the
Bearcats with this their final season in C-USA and the new Big East waiting for
2005. Coach Dantonio has a big job on his hands with turning UC into a football
school and not just a basketball school. The ship looks pointed in the right
direction, but only time will tell.