Cincinnati Football: 2017 season preview, predictions
By Zach Bigalke
2017 schedule
| WEEK | DATE | OPPONENT | LOCATION |
| 1 | Aug. 31 | vs. FCS Austin Peay | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 2 | Sept. 9 | at Michigan | Ann Arbor, Mich. |
| 3 | Sept. 16 | at Miami(OH) | Oxford, Ohio |
| 4 | Sept. 23 | at Navy | Annapolis, Md. |
| 5 | Sept. 30 | vs. Marshall | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 6 | Oct. 7 | vs. UCF | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7 | Oct. 14 | BYE WEEK | |
| 8 | Oct. 21 | vs. SMU | Cincinnati, OH |
| 9 | Oct. 28 | at South Florida | Tampa, FL |
| 10 | Nov. 4 | at Tulane | New Orleans, LA |
| 11 | Nov. 10 | vs. Temple | Cincinnati, OH |
| 12 | Nov. 18 | at East Carolina | Greenville, NC |
| 13 | Nov. 25 | vs. Connecticut | Cincinnati, OH |
Things should turn around enough in 2017 for the Bearcats to return to the postseason. But there will be plenty of growing pains as well, as a young team adjusts to a young coaching staff getting its first shot at taking over a program.
Last year all but one of Cincinnati’s losses came by 10 or more points. There was a large gulf between the Bearcats and many of their opponents in 2016. They will have to shore up a lot of inconsistencies in 2017 and hope that new talent emerges along the way.
That said, there are likely at least six wins on the schedule. Competing for the AAC East is probably too far a reach against teams like Temple and South Florida. Even getting to .500 in conference play might be too much to ask of this year’s roster. But any bowl game would be sweet consolation after the last years of the Tuberville era.
Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017
Prediction: 6-6 (3-5 AAC)
Cincinnati will just barely get to six wins this season. The season opener against FCS Austin Peay will start things off positively, but then they will tumble back to earth with a loss at Michigan. They will have to win toss-up games against Miami of Ohio and Marshall out of conference, though, to ensure a postseason appearance.
That is because Cincinnati will probably win just three of their eight conference games this year. The likeliest candidates to fall to the Bearcats this year are Tulane, East Carolina, and Connecticut. Bowl eligibility will not be secured until the final game of the regular season at Nippert Stadium.