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American Athletic Conference: Post-spring 2017 power rankings

By Zach Bigalke

Dec 29, 2016; Birmingham, AL, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Quinton Flowers (9) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2016 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; Birmingham, AL, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Quinton Flowers (9) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2016 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 25, 2016; Tulsa, OK, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Jerron Rollins (26) hauls in a touchdown catch against Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joey Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Tulsa, OK, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Jerron Rollins (26) hauls in a touchdown catch against Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joey Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Cincinnati is another American school whose spring game offered the first chance to see players operate under the system of a new head coach. Luke Fickell seems to have the defense operating at a high level. The team was finishing more tackles, and the defensive line was a disruptive force that regularly forced its way into the backfield.

Of course, when the defense looks dominant in a spring game it also means that the offense struggled. Neither of the two quarterbacks, incumbent starter Hayden Moore and sophomore backup Ross Trail, were consistent on the night. Moore looked especially shaky, completing just 13 of 32 passes for 156 yards and a pair of interceptions.

For a team whose problems stemmed largely from the offensive side of the ball, this isn’t necessarily a good sign. The Bearcats should be able to bottle up opponents more effectively this year, but unless Fickell can find a quarterback on which he can rely it might be a long year for the faithful at Nippert Stadium.

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