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South Florida Week
Bearcats Nation vs. ESPN Big East Blog Week 7 // Bearcats Nation
After a week off, the Bearcats returned to the gridiron this past weekend to hoist the Keg of Nails once again. Once again, UC did it with defense, not allowing an offensive touchdown for a 2nd straight game. Much of that performance can be attributed to a monster defensive line that has performed as I have expected of them once again leading the Big East in Sacks and Tackles for Loss. They finished no worse than 2nd in any of the categories:
Bearcats brace for Big East's best // Cincinnati.com
"When you look at this (UC) team you can see why they're winning," Holtz said. "They are really strong as a defensive football team. I know they went through a slide and last year was disappointing for them but they have rebounded with a thunderous roar."
Skip Holtz is no Derek Dooley, but that is majestic
USF-Cincinnati preview // Tampabay.com
Audio slideshow, whatever that is
Lots of USF updates from busy afternoon ... // USF Sports Bulletin
Lots of updates coming this afternoon, but it'll be an hour or so before I can start posting. The condensed version: Todd Fitch says he wants to throw the ball downfield more than he has, Skip Holtz says part of the season USF didn't throw more at UConn was the Huskies playing more zone defense to better guard against deep ball.
A rather simplistic analysis but there you have it
USF Bulls offense searches for answers // St. Petersburg Times
Consider third down, a recurring problem for the Bulls (4-2, 0-2 Big East) from last season. In three easy home wins against Ball State, Florida A&M and UTEP, USF converted 55.2 percent of its third downs; in the other three tougher games against Notre Dame and the past two losses the Bulls have converted 27.5 percent of the time. Offensive coordinator Todd Fitch said the third-down problem is set up by a lack of consistent success on first and second downs, setting up situations where the defense knows what is coming. Quarterback B.J. Daniels went 2-for-8 passing on third downs Saturday, this after going 1-for-6 for 3 yards in the second half of the Pittsburgh loss.
Third down conversion rates are the most overlooked of all Football statistics IMO. And they go a long way to illustrating some of USF offensive issues.
Bearcats Nation vs. ESPN Big East Blog Week 7 // Bearcats Nation
After a week off, the Bearcats returned to the gridiron this past weekend to hoist the Keg of Nails once again. Once again, UC did it with defense, not allowing an offensive touchdown for a 2nd straight game. Much of that performance can be attributed to a monster defensive line that has performed as I have expected of them once again leading the Big East in Sacks and Tackles for Loss. They finished no worse than 2nd in any of the categories:
Basketball News
Conversation With Cronin II // Paul Dehner
"We recruit against people here locally and in our league," Cronin said. "Last year, I was going to 'get fired' and the rival assistant coaches were just teeing off on it. Now, the same guys and some head coaches are now telling recruits that I am just 40 and I had job offers last spring and there is no way I'll be here. That I am one of the hot, young, best coaches in the country and, yeah, they got a really good team and are ranked but he is not going to be there. "So now, I have gone from getting fired to I'm a great young coach, but I'm going to take another job? I got a 5-year-old daughter and I'm from Cincinnati and I'm going to take another job? But that's probably a look for our fans to what I deal with."
Other Bearcat News
Bearcats Look for Two Straight BIG EAST Wins Against DePaul // gobearcats.com
After earning its first BIG EAST win on Saturday, the University of Cincinnati men's soccer team looks to make it two straight when it welcomes DePaul to Gettler Stadium on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.
Finan Named BIG EAST Cross Country Athlete of the Week // gobearcats.com
University of Cincinnati senior Eric Finan (New Richmond, Ohio/New Richmond) was named the BIG EAST Cross Country Athlete of the Week Tuesday, on the heels of a top-3 finish at the 2011 Pre-Nationals Meet. Finan, who has won four of his five races this season, ran a time of 24:04 to place third at the 2011 Pre-Nationals Meet Sunday at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terra Haute, Ind.
Women's Golf Capture UD Invitational // gobearcats.com
UC getting closer to naming AD // UC Athletics Blog
According to several sources, the school has interviewed four candidates for the athletic director’s job. Among those who have been interviewed are Missouri executive associate AD Whit Babcock, Duke deputy AD Stan Wilcox and Big East senior associate commissioner Nick Carparelli.
My preference among those mentioned is Babcock
Football Recruiting
Video Pig talks about Cincinnati trip more Tennessee and a little UCF // OrlandoSentinel.com
My read is that Butch Jones and Co. have a long way to go to bring Pig to Porkopilis
Bergeron also said: "It’s a unique situation with them having a senior running back (Isaiah Pead) and so Ti’on will have the opportunity to go up their an compete and the coaches told him he would fit right in to what they are doing. Obviously he’s not going to be a shoe-in for the spot, but he’ll get a good shot ... so he committed and I don’t blame him. He asked me what I thought and I said it’s the right fit."
I am not entirely sure that Green sticks at RB, but one thing I do know is that there is going to be one hell of a competition next year to replace the one they call iPead.
A Quick Look at New Bearcat Joey Jones // Bearcats Nation
I mentioned earlier how Jones reminds me of Maalik Bomar. I stand by that as both are outside linebackers and are more speed guys who hang their hats on getting to a ball carrier before anyone else. When Jones steps on campus in 2012, Bomar should be his big brother as he can learn a lot from the then-senior. But the new Bearcat will need to take a redshirt as a freshman to bulk up a bit, maybe adding 10 to 15 lbs, to absorb the hits that 210+ lbs running backs will be delivering in college.
I think that the Bomar comparison is an apt one.
Analysis of Bearcats Commit Ey’Shawn McClain // Bearcats Nation
Like his Raines high school teammate, McClain is going to force this coaching staff to burn his redshirt. He has the necessary bulk for the college linebacker position and can contribute on special teams (as you saw from his highlight video). That’s where he’ll earn his money his freshman year.
Analysis of Linebacker Commit Kenneth Bynum // Bearcats Nation
Coach Jones is going to have to burn Bynum’s redshirt his freshman year as I think he will command playing time at least on special teams. He has a lot of things going for him (size, speed, smarts) and could even breach the two-deep as the Bearcats will be very young at this position in 2012, hence the signing of a bunch of linebackers for this class. I think in all likelihood Bynum will see the field on special teams and compete for a backup outside linebacker spot but might not see much playing time with the regular defense.
Around The Big East
Market Adjustments, Week 7: Upsets, Awful Offense And Moral Victories // SBNation.com
Pittsburgh got blown up by a team busy getting blown up by a good portion of the Pac-12. Rutgers beat Navy by one point right after Southern Miss beat the Midshipmen by four touchdowns. How bad was the Big East this week? So bad that even future member Central Florida looked terrible. (Granted, it was against another potential Big East addition, SMU.)
Eye On College Football Midseason Report Big East - CBSSports.com
Game of the Year (To Come): West Virginia at Cincinnati. Three teams poised to race for the Big East title down the stretch seem to be these two teams along with Rutgers. The only way to ensure a championship is to go undefeated in conference play and this is the best chance for someone to knock off the Mountaineers. The Bearcats have an offense that can keep up with West Virginia in a shootout, and their defense is one of the best in the nation at forcing turnovers. Look for Nippert Stadium to be lubed up and rocking when West Virginia comes to town on Nov. 12.
2011 CFN Midseason Big East Rundown // scout.com
The top players, games, surprises and disappointments of the first half of the Big East season.
Conferenceaggeddon
Big East expanding to 12 teams for football // cincinnati.com
Bill Koch is again days behind a story, shocking. Moving to current news.
Big 12 football: How Missouri’s decision affects expansion // Berry Tramel's Blog
And where are West Virginia and Louisville and Cincinnati going? Are they going to commit to the Big East when a potential Big 12 offer could come? I don’t think so. So there’s no great hurry.
Conference Realignment: EXPANSIONAPALOOZA 2011 And The Balance Of Power // SBNation.com
Not surprisingly, the Big East's numbers fall simply because Boise State (fourth) cannot offset the poor (for BCS programs) numbers of SMU (75th), Air Force (61st) and Navy (59th). Still, we've still got something of a cluster after the SEC.
Nationally Recognized
The Numerical, Week 7: Triple Threats And Kansas State's Statistical Allergy // SBNation.com
114: Combined yards gained by Utah and Pittsburgh on their opening drives (5.2 per play). They combined to gain just 255 the rest of the game. In 114 plays. Pittsburgh recorded 17 tackles for loss and lost, 26-14. One could argue that games like Auburn-Florida or Ohio State-Illinois set offensive football back a few decades, but Utah-Pitt may have set it back a century.
Pitts offense no beuno
Reading This Will Make You Smarter
The Great Tech War Of 2012 // Fast Company
I am not going to front, this is quite lengthy. But if you have any interest what so ever in the general direction of the internet in the next 5 years or so this is a must read. Very exhaustive and excellently researched.