Cincinnati Bearcats
2012-2013 Record: 9-3 (5-2)
Last Bowl Game: W, 48-34 vs Duke
Head Coach: Tommy Tuberville
Returning Starters: Offense- 7, Defense- 6
2013 Schedule
vs. Purdue at Illinois vs. Northwestern State at Miami (Ohio) at USF vs. Temple vs. Connecticut at Memphis vs. SMU at Rutgers at Houston vs. Louisville
Offense Preview
With Brandon Kay taking over as the starting QB during the second half of the season, the Bearcats went 4-1 under his command, including a Bowl Game win over Duke. Kay will be forced to step up even more considering the loss of leading rusher George Winn and Tight End Travis Kelce, who was drafted by the Chiefs. With gaps left by key players, the success of the offense is almost solely on Kay's shoulders.
Defense Preview
The Bearcats will have about half of their defense returning, including both of their defensive tackles. Unfortunately, both of their defensive ends will be gone which leaves the edge rushing corps with little overall experience. Safety Arryn Chenault will need to prove he can be a leader among his fellow defensive backs.
Top Newcomer- Gunner Kiel, Quarterback- The No.1 QB of the 2012 recruiting class and former Notre Dame QB decided to transfer to Cincinnati after only one season with Notre Dame. Kiel should take over in 2014, after Kay graduates.
Key Games
@ USF- Aaron Lynch and company may have a field day on the Bearcats offensive line and Kay will need to show composure.
@ Rutgers- With the loss of 2 starting defensive backs, Cincinnati may struggle dealing with 6'6" WR Brandon Coleman.
vs Louisville- Teddy Bridgewater will be relentless, especially considering it's the regular season finale.
Season Prediction: 10-2, Bowl eligible
Connecticut Huskies
2012-2013 Record: 5-7 (2-5)
Last Bowl Game: L, 48-20 vs Oklahoma (2010-2011 season)
Head Coach: Paul Pasqualoni
Returning Starters: Offense- 7, Defense- 4
2013 Schedule
vs. Towson vs. Maryland vs. Michigan at Buffalo vs. USF at Cincinnati at UCF vs. Louisville at SMU at Temple vs. Rutgers vs. Memphis
Offense Preview
UConn continues to strggle offensively as they ranked 113th in total offense last season. Since they'll be losing Tight End Ryan Griffin, their best offensive player in 2012, it doesn't look like the Huskies will accomplish much of anything on offense. They will rarely put up a decent amount of points and will be dependent on the defense to hold opposing teams to a minimum amount of points.
Defense Preview
The lethal CB duo of Gratz and Wreh-Wilson have taken their skills to the pros, leaving UConn with vulnerable through the air. Along with those two, Trevardo Williams (Defensive End) and Sio Moore (Outside Linebacker) will be gone as well, which leaves even more gaps in what was a very impressive defense last year.
Top Newcomer: Dhameer Bradley, Wide Receiver- In an offense than struggles to accomplish much of anything, Bradley could come on and be a threat to score as a Freshman.
Key Games
vs Michigan- With an entirely new defense, the young squad will have a chance to prove itslef against many future NFL stars.
@ UCF- With a loss of pass rushers and starting CBs, the Huskies may struggle to contain UCF QB Blake Bortles.
vs Louisville- While they pulled out the W against the Cardinals last season, Bridgewater will be back with a vengeance.
Season Prediction: 3-9, not bowl eligible
Houston Cougars
2012-2013 Record: 5-7 (4-4)
Last Bowl Game: W, 30-14 vs Penn State (2011-2012 season)
Head Coach: Tony Levine
Returning Starters: Offense- 7, Defense- 4
2013 Schedule
vs. Southern at Temple vs. Rice at UTSA vs. Memphis vs. BYU at Rutgers vs. USF at UCF at Louisville vs. Cincinnati vs. SMU
Offense Preview
Star running back Charles Sims recently transferred to West Virginia, leaving a gaping hole in the Cougars offense. Returning QB David Piland, who went down late last year with a concussion, should be back at full force and will need to put this team on his back.
Defense Preview
The most notable loss is first round pick DJ Hayden at corner back. He left some prett big shoes to fill and should leave Houston vulnerable to opposing passing attacks. Other than Hayden, they also lost 6 other starters, which doesn't bode well at all.
Top Newcomer: Michael Jolivet, Defensive End- Ranked as the 10th defensive end among Junior College transferees, Jolivet can come in day one and improve a currently unimpressive pass rushing corps.
Key Games
vs BYU- This should be Houston's first brutal match up and should prove what they can really do.
vs SMU- With the final game on the line after a long strecth of tough games, the Cougars will need to fight for a final win.
Season Prediction: 5-7, not eligible
Louisville Cardinals
2012-2013 Record: 11-2 (5-2)
Last Bowl Game: W, 33-23 vs Florida
Head Coach: Charlie Strong
Returning Starters: Offense- 8, Defense- 9
2013 Schedule
vs. Ohio vs. Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky vs. FIU at Temple vs. Rutgers vs. UCF at USF at Connecticut vs. Houston vs. Memphis at Cincinnati
Offense Preview
2013 is going to be the Teddy Bridgewater Show as he will tear every defense apart, especially with the returns of DeVante Parker and Damian Copeland at wide receiver. While Bridgewater will be violating teams through the air, Louisville's two leading rushers are also returning and should put up decent, consistent numbers.
Defense Preview
Lead by Preston Brown, the Cardinals front seven will be returning six of their starters from 2012. That being said, they should not lose a step. Three of four starting defensive backs will also be returning, including Safety Calvin Pryor, who ranked 2nd on the team in tackles behind Preston Brown.
Top Newcomer: James Quick, Wide Receiver- Coming in as the 10th ranked WR, Quick should be a solid compliment to whatever QB takes over after Bridgewater.
Key Games
@ Connecticut- After losing to them in 2012, Bridgewater will be back with a thirst for revenge.
@ Cincinnati- This match up ends the regular season for who will likely be the top two teams in the AAC.
Season Prediction: 12-0, Bowl eligible
Memphis Tigers
2012-2013 Record: 4-8 (4-4)
Last Bowl Game: L, 41-14 vs USF
Head Coach: Justin Fuente
Returning Starters: Offense- 6, Defense- 6
2013 Schedule
vs. Duke at Middle Tennessee vs. Arkansas State vs. UCF at Houston vs. SMU vs. Cincinnati vs. Tennessee-Martin at USF at Louisville
vs. Temple at Connecticut
Offense Preview
Starting QB Jacob Karam will be returning from a 2012 campaign in which he only threw three interceptions on 274 attampts. The carry splitting duo of Seniors Brandon Hayes and Jai Steib is also coming back in 2013 after totaling 1,003 rushing yards. Unfortuanately, this corps of players ranked 113th in total offense last year, which is a huge factor as to why they were 4-8.
Defense Preview
Leading pass rusher Martin Ifidi (7.5 sacks) and interception leader Lonnie Ballentine (3 interceptions) will be wreacking havoc again for AAC QBs in 2013. Although, last season, the Tigers allowed 244 passing yards per game which lead to points being thrown on the board left and right for opposing teams. The returning veterans will need to make their presence known if Memphis wants to improve at all.
Top Newcomer: Kewan Alfred, Defensive End- The Junior College transfer comes in as the 11th ranked DE among transferees. Considering that only Ifidi had more than three sacks in 2012, Alfred should be a contributor as soon as he walks on the field.
Key Games
vs Tennessee-Martin- After only losing by three points to them in 2012, the Tigers must come back with a relentless vengeance.
vs Temple- The Temple Owls are flying under the radar and should give Memphis a late season run for their money.
Season Prediction: 3-9, not eligible