The Cincinnati Bearcats football program is preparing to defend their two straight American Conference championships in 2022.
Athlon Sports thinks they will make it a three-peat, picking the Cincinnati Bearcats to win the American championship this upcoming season.
Anything short of a championship can be viewed as unsuccessful, but a lot of things need to happen for the Bearcats to win a third straight conference title this season. Here are seven of those key developments that need to happen.
1. Evan Prater Must be the Starting Quarterback
Prater will give the Bearcats the best chance to duplicate the success they've had in recent seasons. They're hoping to win a third-straight conference championship. They could also win 10+ games for the fourth time in five seasons. His dynamic play-making ability and knowledge gained from Desmond Ridder over the last two seasons have him ready to lead the Bearcats' offense.
2. The offensive line must take a step forward
The Bearcats return all five starters on an offensive line that only allowed 24 sacks all season, but there is a lot of room for improvement. The offensive line gave up six sacks in their loss to Alabama in the Cotton Bowl. The Bearcats open the season at Arkansas and are moving to a Power Five conference in 2023. The offensive line is going to have to hold up in games against Power Five teams this year and against Big 12 teams starting next year.
3. Someone Needs to Emerge as the Lead Back
While the Bearcats have several reliable running backs, one of them needs to emerge as the leader. On really good Bearcats teams over the last 15+ years, they've always had a bell cow running back. That needs to be the case on this year's team.
4. Charles McClelland must Stay Healthy
Speaking of running backs, McClelland is the veteran of the group. When healthy, his versatility can give opposing defenses fits. His health is the key. He has to stay healthy.
5. There Cannot be a Huge Dropoff at Cornerback
A hallmark of any program is its ability to reload at a position losing great players. That's what the Bearcats cornerback room needs to do this season. All-Americans Sauce Gardner and Coby Bryant are both in the NFL, but that doesn't mean the cornerback room can take a major step backward. They don't have to be Gardner and Bryant, but they can't be stark contrasts to them.
6. There Must be an Edge Rush Presence
Most of Cincinnati's 39 sacks last year came from linebackers and interior linemen. Those players are now in the NFL. Noah Potter, a former four-star recruit, needs to step in and provide pressure off the edge to make up for the lost production in the middle of the field.
7. The Kicking Game MUST be Better
None of the three kickers on last year's team made over 50% of their field goal attempts. This year's team isn't good enough to overcome those misses.
Transfer Alex Coe has to be a major upgrade on special teams for the Bearcats.
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