Let’s go back to August shall we. You’re watching preseason NFL action and gearing up for the college football season, and you’re thinking “Wow, Cincinnati is in for a loooong winter.” The Bengals ranked 24th in the ESPN Power Poll in the preseason and the Bearcats were ranked 33rd in the preseason AP poll. We are now sitting at the Monday after week ten in the NFL, and the college football regular season ends in two weeks. Guess where Cincy ranks now? On top of everything! The Bengals have the second best record in the AFC, behind only the Colts, and the Bearcats are one of six undefeated teams in the country. So what happens to these two teams as their respective seasons come to an end?
The Bengals have shocked, literally, everyone. In the preseason, the media big wigs were trying to sell us on Carson Palmer’s injury and how unhappy Chad Ochocinco (it still pisses me off to write that name) was going to be. Marvin Lewis was fighting for his job before the season even started, the running attack was under scrutiny because Cedric Benson had yet to prove himself, and to top it all off, in the preseason, the first team offense struggled through the first three games. Now, the Bungles have the third leading rusher in the AFC behind Chris Johnson of the Titans and Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jaguars. And Carson Palmer, who hasn’t been spectacular but has been consistent, can still be counted on to lead a game winning drive if his team is down late. Add to that, a stout defense, which has been the biggest surprise. Cincy ranks second in the NFL in points allowed and sixth in the AFC in yards allowed per game. They were projected to finish third in the AFC North behind the Steelers and Ravens (who played for the conference title last year, lest we forget), and have now completed a season sweep of both teams! They have a one game lead on the Steelers, and their schedule the rest of the way is a complete joke. In week 11 they go to Oakland, then come home to face Cleveland and Detroit. Next, they go on the road to Minnesota and San Diego and then come home to face Kansas City before finishing on the road against the Jets. They could very, VERY easily finish the season with 13 wins and the second seed in the AFC. My prediction…Cincy takes that second seed and beats the Chargers in the divisional round of the playoffs, before getting whacked by Indy or New England in the AFC Championship game. Not bad for a team picked to finish with 6 wins.
The Bearcats are an interesting story as well. They beat Oregon St. when they were ranked in week 5, Rutgers in Week 1, West Virginia as a ranked team, and USF as a ranked team. Their only tough game left will be the toughest game on the schedule. They will face #9 Pitt, on the road, December 5th to decide the Big East. If, and that’s a big if, they can get by Pitt I think that Cincy could have a shot to play for the National Championship in January. And here’s how: Alabama and Florida will play each other for the SEC championship later in December and whichever team loses will be out. Personally, I think that scenario is ludicrous, but that’s the BCS folks! If Texas drops the ball against Texas A&M to close the season, we’ll be looking at Florida/Alabama vs. Cincinnati for the Championship. What’s crazy is that this is absolutely possible! A&M has played the Longhorns tough the last couple of years, and Texas has not been immune to the in-state rivalry upset. Does anyone remember that monster upset verse Texas Tech last season, that ended Texas’ title hopes? Very possible! It won’t be TCU or Boise State in the title game because neither team will play a high profile game in the final two weeks. Fortunately for Cincinnati, that’s how the BCS works. If they can take down the number 9 team in the land to finish the season and win the Conference, they’ll surely be more warmly embraced by the BCS computers than the Horned Frogs or the Broncos.
All in all, the Cincinnati football fan only has one thing to be worried about: The Bearcats have been so good that their coach might walk after the season to pursue a career at a more prestigious university, or perhaps…the NFL! Brian Kelly, the Redskins are calling.