UC Football Placed 19th on SI's Preseason Rankings

CINCINNATI — Sports Illustrated unveiled its preseason top 25 rankings for college football and Cincinnati checked in at No. 19. The Bearcats are ranked No. 23 on the AP Poll.

"Nine Bearcats were selected in the draft," Pat Forde wrote. "The final validation of a transformational group that elevated a non–Power 5 team to the CFP Promised Land. What do they do for an encore? Show that the program is built to last. Luke Fickell had a banner hanging at preseason camp that read, 'Just be us.' The message: Do the things Cincinnati has done while winning 44 games the last four seasons. The offensive line is intact, which will help whoever is named the starting quarterback, Evan Prater or Ben Bryant. Consistent recruiting and player development will guarantee that Cincinnati remains solid defensively."

Forde is buying into the Bearcats' plan to reload in 2022 and it resulted in a top-20 ranking. He's also high on fellow AAC member Houston (No. 17) as they return plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball.

Those two teams don't play each other during the regular season, but Houston surely wants revenge for their AAC Championship loss to UC a year ago. Cougars head coach Dana Holgersen wasn't happy with having to play at UC—despite a perfect conference record.

If either team goes undefeated overall, they won't have to worry about traveling for Game 13.

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