Early Win and Loss Predictions for 2012

[Bearcat Chris]

To get some "talk going", here is my early take on 2012.

Probable losses:

VT: They are always good, and even though the game is on a neutral field, I have to give the edge to VT.

UL: Almost their entire team from last year is back, and their QB is the real deal. The game is there, and we always struggle at Papa John Stadium.

Rutgers: Even though the game is here, Rutgers has virtually everybody back, and are the most underrated team in the 2012 BE (IMHO).

Toledo: Don't know why, as on paper we should beat them, but the game is there, and they play very well at home. I suspect a close game, but as of now, I have UT winning this one. This is one of those games where UC has everything to lose, and nothing to gain.

So, early prediction is 8-4.

B.C.

[Thegreatone]

The last time U of L beat us at Papa John was 2006. Not sure why we always struggle there? Not saying your prediction is crazy but your reason doesnt add up.

Rutgers could be solid but losing your long time coach is always going to be a tough transition. We saw that during Butch's first year.

[Bearcat Chris]

Originally Posted by Thegreatone

The last time U of L beat us at Papa John was 2006. Not sure why we always struggle there? Not saying your prediction is crazy but your reason doesnt add up.

Rutgers could be solid but losing your long time coach is always going to be a tough transition. We saw that during Butch's first year.

Remember the 77-7 game in 2004, where UC (alledgedly) stomped on their logo? They have been down a few years due to coaching problems, but I really think UL is going to be very good this year.

B.C.

[Dannyboy]

10-2. Maybe better.

[GoUC11]

Rutgers underrated? I don't see how a team being picked by many people to WIN the Big East is considered underrated? If anything they are overrated. They bring in two mediocre QB's battling it out, lose their top WR, and have a brand new, first time head coach.

[cmm27]

Originally Posted by Bearcat Chris

Rutgers: Even though the game is here, Rutgers has virtually everybody back, and are the most underrated team in the 2012 BE (IMHO).

Not sure if I agree with you there. I have heard a few of the "experts" picking Rutgers to be a darkhorse for the Big East, so I do not buy that they are underrated. If anything, I would say they, like Pitt, have been constantly overrated over the last decade. The most underrated team in the Big East year in and year out has been UC.

[cafemerald]

13-0. National Champions.

[Binturong05]

I won't pretend to have a guess what the final record will be but am I the only one who has the slightest bit of concern for this upcoming season? I'm not expecting a repeat of the dreaded season two years ago but I am also not expecting a repeat of last season's 10 wins either. Somewhere in between the two seems more probable.

Let's look at it objectively without our homer hats on: UC loses 2.5 year starter at QB in Collaros, they lose first-team All Big East RB, 2011 Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and AutoZone Liberty Bowl Most Valuable Player Isaiah Pead, and lose two monster interior defensive lineman in Hughes and Wolfe, as well as TE Adrian Robinson and heart of the defense in LB JK Shaffer. Of course as a Bearcats fan I'm happy for all of these players who were drafted or signed as FAs but this doesn't diminish the fact the Bearcats are losing some very high quality players for the 2012 season - impact players that will not be easy to replace. I just don't see how the Bearcats compete at the same level in 2012 as they did in 2011 after losing what may well be the most talented draft class out of UC in the program's history.

Objectively what I see is a reduction in talent from last year to this year however I suppose the end result is contingent on scheduling and with two FCS schools and two MAC schools I guess I can understand where the wins and losses column might overstate the team's talent level. Sorry to sound less than positive here but I can't ignore the departure of some very talented players to the NFL draft in critical positions.

[red_n_black_attack]

Originally Posted by GoUC11

Rutgers underrated? I don't see how a team being picked by many people to WIN the Big East is considered underrated? If anything they are overrated. They bring in two mediocre QB's battling it out, lose their top WR, and have a brand new, first time head coach.

New coach with less than stellar talent = Coach Jones' first year.

New coach with loaded talent from Dantonio = Coach Kelly's first year

It could go either way for Rutgers, but in our first year without Zach and Pead and Wolfe to name just a few could be a reloading year for us. I predict we shock some during our 11-1 campaign to the Orange Bowl.

[jplog]

Losing Schiano is addition by subtraction for Rutgers. Maybe, besides Dave Shula, the worst NFL Head Coaching hire in years.

Louisville is gonna be the strength of the conference for years to come. They have a real solid star as a head coach and a fan base that UC would die for.

[True Bearcat]

My way too early predictions.

Pitt W Opening night at Nippert under the lights on ESPN.

Delaware St W

Vtech L I don't like this game at all. Neutral sight. I hope I am wrong.

Miami W

Fordham W

@Toledo W

@Louisville L but a close game.

Syracuse W

@Temple W

Rutgers W will be a great game hopefully be a night game at a sold out Nippert.

USF L BJ Daniels I believe will have a great season. Been in the offense for 2 yrs now, and Coach Holtz knows what he is capable of.

@UCONN W but a tough game in the cold at the Rent.

9-3 tied for BE championship and a trip to the Champs Sports Bowl. My questions are will the quarterback play be good enough to win tough conference games, and will the dline and new linebackers step in and play great defense. The foundation for success has been laid, and it is up to the new guard to carry it on! Whatever the case I know we'll be at Nippert in 123 days!!!!

[RedRocker]

Originally Posted by jplog

Losing Schiano is addition by subtraction for Rutgers. Maybe, besides Dave Shula, the worst NFL Head Coaching hire in years.

Louisville is gonna be the strength of the conference for years to come. They have a real solid star as a head coach and a fan base that UC would die for.

I think you forgot about Petrino to ATL and Spurrier to WASH, but yeah, Shula was pretty bad.

[CaptainProbasco]

Originally Posted by Binturong05

Let's look at it objectively without our homer hats on:

I agree that this is how we should look at it. Here's what I see:

Offense: returns 5 starters and 14 from the 2-deep, including 7/10 lineman.

Defense: returns 7 starters and 17/24 from the 2-deep. (24 because of nickel package)

Gaining: we have the best recruiting class in Bearcat history, including 9 who enrolled already and have participated in spring practice. We also gain an offensive lineman transfer from OSU who sat out last year.


Conclusion:
We're returning 31 guys on the 2-deep roster from a team that was literally one play from the Orange Bowl last year. True, we lost some great talent, and 2 great leaders (neither of whom got drafted). But we've lost similar levels of talent every year in the past 5 years, so that doesn't concern me much. What I really like is that the team we're returning has more experience than any in recent UC history, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

I have high expectations for this team. With the easier SOS, 8 wins is the floor for this team. I'd put the over-under at 10.

[Carthage World]

I see losses to VT, UL and a random in-conference slip up.

[RedRocker]

Originally Posted by Carthage World

I see losses to VT, UL and a random in-conference slip up.

That's kinda how I see it too, but they could finish 10-2 without that "slip up".

[cmm27]

Undefeated. The way I see it is UC is going to be the most talented team in every game on their schedule.