BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
Butch Jones takes over for Brian Kelly again, but this time he's going to have a hard time improving on his predecessor's work.
First, the Bearcats are back-to-back defending league champions and were a perfect 12-0 in the regular season last year. Second, the team lacks depth and needs some playmakers to step up on defense.
As long as good health prevails on the offensive side of the ball, the Bearcats should be potent. Collaros proved last year that he can operate a spread attack and make big plays. In Binns, Hazelton, Pead and Woods, UC has people who can gain big chunks of yardage and get into the end zone. The line is pretty solid, too, at least along the first string.
The defense has some solid performers but few standouts, plus precious little depth. Because of that -- and the potent UC attack -- expect some shootouts, not the best formula for piling up double-figure wins.
Cincinnati is in a great place, and Jones is fortunate to inherit a program that understands success and appears committed to sustaining it. He has a nucleus of players who can help the winning ways continue, but he doesn't have enough talent and experience to win another conference title.
The Bearcats will be good and will make a bowl game, but they need a couple more recruiting classes to become a perennial title contender. Then again, as Jones said, every year is different, so comparing these Bearcats to their predecessors isn't a good idea. Who knows? They might be just as successful.
