Cincinnati Football Program

[Thegreatone]

Lets take a look at how we are doing as a football program since the Big East Era. When I was arguing with some people yesterday about UC's place in college football I started realize our remarkable the last 5 years have been.

We went from being in C-USA and struggling to make bowl games to being a Top 15 program in the last 3 years.

AP Polls:

2009 - We finished 8th
2008 - We finished 17th
2007 - We finished 17th

So we have averaged finishing the year 14th in the last 3 years.

I was interested to see how many schools have won an OUTRIGHT title in back to back years in BCS conferences since 1996. I chose 1996 because I think the last 15 years is what is relevant as far as the landscape of college football.

Understand that I am aware that OSU and USC have split multiple but that is not the point. We are talking about outright titles. Here is the list.

Back to Back

Va-Tech: 07-08

OSU: 06-07 (They have split multiple titles and are usually chosen to go to the BCS game, but only two consecutive outright titles)

UC: 08-09


OK now the really interesting part. Here is a list of OUTRIGHT back to back to back BCS conference champions. Again, this is from 96 on because I felt that would be relevant to our situation.

Oklahoma: 06-08

USC: 03-05 (Again split many Pac 10 titles but 3 consecutive outright titles)

The U: 00-02


IF and it is a big IF we win an outright title next year we will be in BIG TIME company. Those 3 schools were about as big as it gets in college football.

Of coarse we would not be in that company in the national perception because our conference is not as strong as other BCS conferences and we have not done as well in BCS games.

I think we have caught the nations attention. I think this year is so critical. Everyone is going to want to see if UC was successful because of Brian Kelly or are they a program that is bigger than 1 person.

Simply put we need to win a BCS game. 3 Beast titles and getting over that BCS game hump. Not only would we earn respect but we would be putting together one hell of a resume to go to a bigger conference if expansion does happen.

If we play our style we can win the Big East next year and 2011 is going to be the best team in the history of the school.

If we win the Big East this year and BCS game with our 90 percent of our team returning we would be easily a top 10 team to start 2011 and perhaps top 5.

A lot to do. Lets go do it.

 

[swg]

Nice post.

Coach Jones is acting like UC deserves to be in the national conversation, whether it be the media, rankings, or recruit-wise. What the Bearcats have done is remarkable, given the fact that our region is picked over by established programs like OSU, Michigan, Purdue, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, ND, MSU, and others. UC has done what teams dream about, win big in a BCS conference prior to getting the high-tier players that normally accompany a lofty status.
This has come from good coaching, scheduling, and increased interest from the fan base. This can be continued if Coach Jones intends on staying at UC for awhile and choosing not to depart once success is reached on the field.