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5 college football teams that will have “disappointing” seasons in 2022

By Connor Muldowney

Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell paces the sideline in the second quarter during the College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the 86th Cotton Bowl Classic, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell paces the sideline in the second quarter during the College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the 86th Cotton Bowl Classic, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. /
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Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell gets set to take the field before kickoff of the first quarter during the American Athletic Conference championship football game between the Houston Cougars and the Cincinnati Bearcats, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.Houston Cougars At Cincinnati Bearcats Aac Championship Dec 4
Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell gets set to take the field before kickoff of the first quarter during the American Athletic Conference championship football game between the Houston Cougars and the Cincinnati Bearcats, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.Houston Cougars At Cincinnati Bearcats Aac Championship Dec 4 /

1. Cincinnati Bearcats (2021 record: 13-1)

If you didn’t see this one coming, how could you not?

Cincinnati did something no Group of Five team had ever done in 2021: make the College Football Playoff. The Bearcats went 13-0 in the regular season with a win over Notre Dame and made the first-ever playoff for a Group of Five team thanks to Desmond Ridder and an elite defense, led by Sauce Gardner.

Both guys are gone in 2022 and that’s going to be critical to the Bearcats’ repeat hopes.

Cincinnati will still be one of the best teams in the Group of Five and will likely be ranked for most of the year, but I just don’t see it going unbeaten again and it could even fall short in the AAC.

Starting a new quarterback and replacing defensive stoppers will be a tough task for this team, but Luke Fickell knows how to coach his guys up. I just don’t see them reaching those elite 2021 goals, however.

I could see the Bearcats missing out on a New Year’s Six bowl completely in 2022.

Next. 5 programs that could be the next dynasty. dark

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