Cincinnati head coach Butch Jones is confident the Bearcats have enough skilled starters on both sides of the ball to contend for a third consecutive Big East Conference championship. What concerns the first-year coach is his team's overall lack of depth that was clearly evident during spring practice.
"I'm excited about our 22 players," Jones said. "We're very skilled. It all just goes back to depth."
The Bearcats bring back 13 starters from last year's team that went 12-1, losing only to Florida in the Sugar Bowl. But beyond the first tier, UC lacks experience and depth, particularly on the defensive line.
Cincinnati's defense showed signs of improvement in training camp, but it'll face its first test when the Bearcats open the regular season at Fresno State.
The Bearcats lived off their high-scoring offense en route to an undefeated regular season, falling just short of a BCS title game appearance. But after twice needing more than 44 points to win, UC would rather not tempt fate this year.
The schedule is unforgiving. Following this weekend's opener at Fresno, the Bearcats have Indiana State at home then travel to North Carolina State before facing Oklahoma at Paul Brown Stadium. Conference play offers trips to West Virginia and Connecticut.
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Cincinnati Bearcats
