Cincinnati football has a good shot of crashing playoff in 2021

Desmond Ridder looks to power Bearcats offense in 2021

Heading into last season, the Bearcats had a lot of concerns about the offense and quarterback Desmond Ridder. Ridder exceeded expectations and the Bearcats had a really solid offense. If he can improve even further, the sky is the limit for the Bearcats.

Ridder is one of the best quarterbacks in the country and is even being touted as a potential first-round pick. If he can show the amount of improvement that he did last season, Ridder could be a darkhorse Heisman candidate.

Ridder threw for nearly 2,300 yards and rushed for 592 yards last season. I think Ridder is going to have to be even better than he was last season for the Bearcats to reach their goals and it is going to be interesting to watch.

The running game is going to have to replace Gerrid Doaks, but there are a couple of capable backs that can carry the Bearcats ground game. Alabama transfer Jerome Ford showed his talent in the Peach Bowl against Georgia with a 79-yard touchdown run and Ford averaged six yards per carry last season. Charles McClelland has been injured the past couple of years, but he is a really talented back and should be the number two this season.

The wide receiver room has a chance to be special this season. Notre Dame transfer Michael Young Jr was the Bearcats best receiver last season and he should be even better this season.

The other playmakers at receiver include Alec Pierce, Tyler Scott, Jordan Jones, Jadon Thompson, and Tre Tucker. Pierce and Scott are the most talented, but all of these guys can play. The Bearcats bring back three offensive line starters, but they lost some talent to the NFL.