2009 Cincinnati Bearcats Fantasy Preview
June 7th, 2009 by Vince Mullins
Since Brian Kelly took over the reins of the Queen City’s finest football program (at least fewer arrests) the Bearcats have challenged for the Big East title (won in his first season of 2007) and put up some impressive offensive numbers.
Bearcat Head Coach Brian Kelly knows championships (Icon SMI)
The true prognostication for Cincinnati this season remains incomplete as the appeal of former USC WR Vidal Hazelton to play in 2009 has yet to be determined, but his appearance would only add to a pretty loaded offense anyway. UPDATE: NCAA told Hazleton to grab some pine.
Despite playing four quarterbacks in 2008 Tony Pike emerged as the clear leader at the end of the campaign and all the way through spring.
As I mentioned in the CFFI Big East Mock Draft, the amazing amount of turnover of talent in the group clouds up the crystal ball for just about every offense except this one.
Below is my SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and expected depth chart of our 42nd rated offense since 2006.
STRENGTHS
Head coach Brian Kelly – a former D2 national champion at Grand Valley State who brought his spread offense to prominence at Central Michigan before stopping in Cincy in 2007. His OC Jeff Quinn has partnered with him since 1991 to threaten defenses. Having stability at the top spots helps us feel more confident that there will be at least one fantasy college football stud here in 2009.
WR “potential” depth – Senior Mardy Gilyard returns after a huge year (11 TDs) and might be the best pass catcher in the Big East. I mentioned Hazelton above who could step right into the spot vacated by graduated Dominick Goodman (84-1028-T7), but so could JUCO recruit Jamar Howard – both are 6-2+ and 210 pounds. I say “potential’ since Hazelton wants to play in 2009 after playing a few snaps in 2008 (wanted to be closer to home for sick grandfather) and JUCOs often prove difficult to assimilate into team culture (no shot on Howard, a much more general observation). Marcus Barnett had a big 2007 but practiced at CB since…
WEAKNESSES
One returning starter on defense – this could lead to some shootouts, which is on par with the Big East recently plus great for us fantasy guys. Two interesting additions though – man-mountain Minnesota RB Alex Daniels from 2006 plays DT at 260 lbs here, and former Notre Dame QB Demetrius Jones will put his athleticism on display at LB with such a crowded QB situation.
RBBC – yes, the dreaded RB by committee. Soph Isaiah Pead and junior John Goebel will likely split carries again. Goebel has the edge as the goal-line back since he weighs about 20 lbs more than Pead and led 7-2 last year
OPPORTUNITIES
Average Schedule – Non-conference matchups host SE Missouri St. and Fresno St. with visits to Oregon State and Miami (OH), plus a late season Friday home tilt with Illinois. All Big East teams play four non-conference games since only eight teams make up the conference roster. They have two weeknight road games in conference (neither of which portend well for the road team) at Rutgers and USF.
Keepers – For you dynasty leagues, if you believe Brain Kelly will stay through 2013 contract then soph QB Chazz Anderson may be worth a look, and may play sooner than you think if Pike gets hurt again.
THREATS
Chaos Theory – I will likely put this on all Big East previews since only five players have any history of fantasy production, and Gilyard and Pike are two of them.
Close shaves – they won five games by less than 7 points and another by 8. Luck rarely repeats in major college football, and bad luck could mean fewer possessions and fewer yards and touchdowns.
FANTASY DEPTH CHART
QB – Tony Pike – Sr. , Chazz Anderson – So.
RB – Isaiah Pead – So., John Goebel – Jr.
WR – Gilyard – Sr., Hazelton – Sr., Howard – So., DJ Woods – So., Barnett?
TE – Ben Guidugli
K – Jake Rogers – Jr.
SCHEDULE
Sep. 7 at Rutgers * TV 4p ET
Sep. 12 vs. Southeast Missouri State
Sep. 19 at Oregon State TV 645p ET
Sep. 26 vs. Fresno State
Oct. 3 at Miami (OH)
Oct. 10 IDLE
Oct. 15 at USF * TV Thurs. 730p ET
Oct. 24 vs. Louisville (Homecoming)
Oct. 31 at Syracuse *
Nov. 7 vs. Connecticut
Nov. 13 vs. West Virginia Friday * TV 8pET
Nov. 20 IDLE
Nov. 27 vs. Illinois (Senior Day) TV
Dec. 5 at Pittsburgh * TV Sat.
and just for fun, an old pick of one of Vidal’s gorey catches from a couple years back.
Vidal Hazleton hopes to bring these acrobatics to Nippert Stadium (Icon SMI).
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