I want to believe but am holding back

[ralph1950]

Great start for the Bearcats and nice to have won 6 in a row for the first time since 1954.
Born is the early 50's, I have been a Bearcat fan since the days of Oscar, Brigg Owens, Jackie Lee, Al Johnson etc.
I have witnessed great victories only to have them be followed by disappointing defeats. The Penn State victory, immediate sell out of the next game at Nippert, Oklahoma State, losing the game, immediately comes to mind.
This week's game against Marshall will most probably be a sellout, this is a must win to keep the fans who do not attend regularly interested. This may be a trap game just like the Browns and Bengals yesterday. I want to believe but they are going to have to show me before I do.

[jkwuc89]

Personally, I thought the Miami game would be a trap game. Coming off the big win on national TV against Oregon State, I was a little concerned that UC would come out flat against Miami. My concern was obviously unfounded. I think UC will come out and play well against Marshall. Coach Kelly and his staff are doing an excellent job preparing the team for each game and I expect that to continue this week.

[Rickriot]

Marshall lost to I-AA New Hampshire this weekend. They are not the trap game. San Diego State may be the trap game since it's on the West coast and all the distractions that come with that. But I'm still betting on 5-0 heading into Rutgers.

[tophat]

Great start for the Bearcats and nice to have won 6 in a row for the first time since 1954.
Born is the early 50's, I have been a Bearcat fan since the days of Oscar, Brigg Owens, Jackie Lee, Al Johnson etc.
I have witnessed great victories only to have them be followed by disappointing defeats. The Penn State victory, immediate sell out of the next game at Nippert, Oklahoma State, losing the game, immediately comes to mind.
This week's game against Marshall will most probably be a sellout, this is a must win to keep the fans who do not attend regularly interested. This may be a trap game just like the Browns and Bengals yesterday. I want to believe but they are going to have to show me before I do.

The important issue isn't if you're believing, but if you're going to the games and supporting them. As long as you're at Nippert, you can believe whatever you want.

I'm remaining a bit skeptical myself: I think we're good, but some areas clearly need to improve, and I don't think we're being challenged by these teams. We could easily go into the Rutgers game without being tested, which concerns me a little because our BE schedule is a monster. Still, we can enjoy winning and getting attention for a change.

[bearcatmark]

I was pretty convined Miami would not be a trap game, same with Marshall.

The one that worries me a bit is SD State... Cross country West coast travel... It's in sunny SD... we will likely be 4-0 coming off of four dominating wins. And the following week is the ENORMOUS big east opener @ Rutgers.

If there is a trap game that is it. I still love our chances to be 5-0 in the top 25 ready to make a huge statement at a top 10 Rutgers team(that's where they will be)

[STKohls]

I'm remaining a bit skeptical myself: I think we're good, but some areas clearly need to improve, and I don't think we're being challenged by these teams. We could easily go into the Rutgers game without being tested, which concerns me a little because our BE schedule is a monster. Still, we can enjoy winning and getting attention for a change.

Think about what you've just said: how many times have we played a Pac-10 team and Miami, without being tested?

That alone speaks to the quality of the team. Oregon State is 2-1, and crushed the Utah team that just beat UCLA. Miami took a Big 10 team to the wire, on the road. OSU and Miami are both decent NCAA teams and UC pounded them. Embarassed them, really. I'm frankly disappointed that UC didn't get more votes in the polls.

[Bearcat Cafe]

This thread certainly explains why attendance might be an issue with this program. Its own fans are still looking for reasons not to be excited.:rolleyes:

[red_n_black_attack]

This thread certainly explains why attendance might be an issue with this program. Its own fans are still looking for reasons not to be excited.:rolleyes:

BINGO

This town and alum simply have to love the school and these kids, go to the games, and support them win or lose - expecting a win or reason to believe. That's major college football, and we're not there yet!

[capcbk]

Ralph1950...if you can't get excited about where we are at and what we have accomplished to date...I think that perhaps you are just not Bearcat Football material. STKohls is absolutely correct.

Look at our NCAA stats...#10 nationally in scoring...#1 in turnovers forced...#1 in turnover margin...#1 in interceptions...#2 in scoring defense...#5 in net punting...#18 in passing efficiency...and respectable in many other catagories.

Just wait and see what happens when the offense gets in synch! I expect that to happen on October 6th.

Come on Ralph1950...hop on board and enjoy the ride!

Go Cats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DBrentonBuck]

You know, I am a new Bearcat fan. I have been impressed with them so far, but I too go into every week thinking this is the week the rug gets pulled out from under them and they become the "same ol Bearcats" that I am used to them being. It doesn't matter to me, once I pick a team to support, then I support them through thick and thin. I am an Atlanta Falcons fan and so I have had to learn to support a team through the bad times LOL. The thing is, this team continues to play better from week to week. I think the key for me to really believe that this team is as good as they seem is to see them get the spread offense going smoothly against a tough defense. OSU was supposed to have a decent D and the Bearcats seemed to struggle to get the offense going. They do ok against lesser teams. If I can see this spread run like it needs to be run, then I am prepared to crown them . . . and yell out "they are who we thought they were". I am actually excited about this team. I can't wait for the Louisville game.

[DBrentonBuck]

May I also point out, that as a new bearcat fan it is somewhat troublesome that if someone expresses some doubt about the team they are accused of not being "Bearcat football material". ****, I have tons of doubts about the Falcons, but I am still very much a fan. I don't think you have to have your head in the clouds to be a fan. Sometimes, a team needs to prove itself to their fans. There is nothing wrong with that. It doesn't make you less of a fan.

[bearcatfan]

I only picked UC to beat Miami 27-20. So I was a bit skeptical going into the game.

The Bearcat defense dominated Miami. The offense had a little trouble running the ball, but overall had no issues scoring nearly at will on Miami.

UC will not lose to Marshall. From all of the college football I have seen on tv so far UC is at least a top 25 team at this point.

UC is bigger, stronger, faster, and more athletic than perhaps they have ever been. We are fans of a very good college football team this year.

[mlb]

This thread certainly explains why attendance might be an issue with this program. Its own fans are still looking for reasons not to be excited.:rolleyes:

Yes, and the guy who started the thread complains when UC fans are skeptical about Mick Cronin... kind of ironic.

[Bearcat85]

May I also point out, that as a new bearcat fan it is somewhat troublesome that if someone expresses some doubt about the team they are accused of not being "Bearcat football material". I don't think you have to have your head in the clouds to be a fan. Sometimes, a team needs to prove itself to their fans. There is nothing wrong with that. It doesn't make you less of a fan.

Let me take a shot at an interpretation:

If by "fan", you mean you are coming to games, watching on TV, admitting to your friends you are a Bearcat fan, etc..., then sure, we all have our doubts sometimes.

I think what frustrates the "core" group is, that so many people who could be fans, hold back - don't go to games or make any effort to support the team - simply because they are just looking for a crack in the ice to justify their shunning.

Until we get folks on board, even when we don't win all our games, we will never be able to stand up to criticisms of bigger time programs.

[DBrentonBuck]

Let me take a shot at an interpretation:

If by "fan", you mean you are coming to games, watching on TV, admitting to your friends you are a Bearcat fan, etc..., then sure, we all have our doubts sometimes.

I think what frustrates the "core" group is, that so many people who could be fans, hold back - don't go to games or make any effort to support the team - simply because they are just looking for a crack in the ice to justify their shunning.

Until we get folks on board, even when we don't win all our games, we will never be able to stand up to criticisms of bigger time programs.

I have watched Georgia Tech go from being known as a "basketball school" to becoming a respected football program. It didn't happen over night or over one season. It took a long time for the casual Atlanta sports fan to believe in what they were seeing.

There are a lot of similarities between GT and UC: both were known as basketball schools, both improve their team by having an outstanding defense and both had a reputation of being an "easy win" for the division.

UC is young and I would say on a pretty fast track to respectability right now. People are taking notice. To me, the key for this season is to win two out of the Rutgers, Louisville, and WV games. If UC can beat two of those teams and show the world that they aren't just a Cinderella buster team once a year, then you will see a lot of people take notice.

I think another key is going to be keeping BK here for a period of time. You need a coach like him to give this team an identity. What you don't want is for UC to be a stepping stone to better things every year for a coach.

All in all, I would say don't get frustrated about fans that are on the fence. Remember, two years ago a lot of those people would not have been even considering UC. You have to have confidence in your team that they will prove themselves to those kind of fans. I would say, as a fan, you should be the welcoming party. It is going to be BK and the team that wins fans over.