Group of Five New Year’s Six Watch 2021: Cincinnati the frontrunner again

1. Cincinnati Bearcats (1-0)

The Cincinnati Bearcats won their 14th straight game against the Miami (OH) Redhawks, keeping the Victory Bell with a 49-14 blowout win. Quarterback Desmond Ridder looked like a man on a mission, completing 80 percent of his passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns.

The defense dominated the Redhawks, limiting them from 278 total yards and just 109 passing yards. Quarterback AJ Mayer was harassed all game long, and the game’s outcome was never in doubt.

The Bearcats have a big game against Notre Dame in October, which could make or break their chances at the New Year’s Six. Indiana is on their schedule, but if the Hoosier plays the way they played against Iowa, that game won’t have the shine it had in the preseason.

There is a lot to like about the Bearcats this season. Desmond Ridder will battle Dillon Gabriel for the best quarterback in the AAC this season. Even with the departure of three-fourths of last season’s secondary and defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman, the defense is still quite good.

The American is never an easy conference to navigate, and the Bearcats have to play UCF. Memphis is a tough out, and keep an eye on East Carolina. It won’t be easy, but the Bearcats are hungry.