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Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2009 > October > 05 > Entry
COLUMN: UC Bearcats best college team in Ohio
OXFORD — The Cincinnati Bearcats had just beaten Miami for the fourth straight year and as UC players Mardy Gilyard, Alex Daniels and Marcus Barnett carried the Victory Bell along the sideline to the dressing room, you sensed you were watching the delivery of a totem whose most glorious time was in the past.
After UC’s 37-13 victory Saturday, Oct. 3, at Yager Stadium, some Bearcats players already had departed the field before their teammates arrived with the spoils.
The bell once was the biggest bauble in Cincinnati’s football season — since 1888, the two schools have the oldest nonconference rivalry in the U.S. — but UC now has bigger fish to fry. It played in a BCS bowl game last season and is 5-0 and ranked No. 10 in the nation.
The Bearcats are the biggest surprise in college football, have the hottest coach in Division I and, I think, they probably have the best team in the state.
Ohio State is ranked No. 9 and has a better defense, but I’d give Bearcat quarterback Tony Pike — who’s beginning to draw some Heisman consideration — and his offensive mates the nod over their OSU counterparts.
Both teams have a good head coach, but when it comes to moxie, imagination and making something out of nothing, UC’s Brian Kelly is unrivaled.
Nippert Stadium barely seats 35,000 and the Bearcats have no practice field, yet in the 2? seasons Kelly’s been at UC, his teams are 26-6.
UC lost 10 defensive starters from last year, but rather than be plagued by inexperience, Kelly moved several seasoned offensive players to defense, including former Notre Dame quarterback Demetrius Jones, now a starting linebacker.
Although Miami — 0-5 this season and riding a 10-game losing streak — isn’t the best barometer, UC’s defense held the RedHawks to just 30 rushing yards and sacked talented redshirt freshman quarterback Zac Dysert 10 times.
Kelly’s most imaginative move Saturday — facilitated by an injury — was making Barnett, a stalwart at cornerback last weekend, the starting wide receiver. The junior ended with six catches for 57 yards.
Keeping Kelly will be a problem for UC. There’s a provision in his contract that makes opting out early a lot easier if facility upgrades are not made quickly.
That could mean he might not be there when UC and OSU meet in three years. The game was supposed to be at Paul Brown Stadium — where the Bucks nearly lost to UC in 2002 — but last year Ohio State gave UC $1 million to move that 2012 game to OSU.
OSU will do what it has to do to try to ensure its dominance in the state. Miami once used to muscle Cincinnati as well — in fact, the RedHawks still hold the advantage in the series at 58-48-7 — but that’s not the case these days.
And that may better explain that message Barnett wrote on the black patches beneath his eyes: “Ding … Ding.”
Some may say that’s a tribute to the Victory Bell, but it well could be the sound of the UC train leaving the station on this quaint rivalry.
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Comments
By Nathan Jones
October 7, 2009 2:28 PM | Link to this
UC Fans: When UC finally beats a decent team this yr then we’ll talk.By Jack
October 6, 2009 2:17 PM | Link to this
Not a Cincy fan at all, but I think they have a VERY good chance of playing for the National Championship…under the Lou Holtz theory. Their schedule is a joke and they should finish undefeated. Does not make them the best team, but if you take advantage of your schedule, you should be rewarded. I think they would be similar to a Iowa…finish in the top half of the Big Ten. Not great, but certainly no where near the bottom. Its not on Cincy, but their league is horrible.By brian
October 6, 2009 1:43 PM | Link to this
Getaclue- I guess we’ll find out soon enough when UC plays Illinois on Nov 27th. And Medbuck, in case you didn’t notice, we are talking about the CURRENT teams, not the history of the two schools. I’ll be the first to admit OSU’s legacy and history are 100 times better than UC’s. What I WON’T admit is that OSU is the better team THIS YEAR. I think it’s time for the OSU homers to for once admit that it’s possible for another team to be better than their team. If you don’t think Kelly is a better game coach than Tressel, you need to pull that sweater vest off of your eyes…By Tom
October 6, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
I think Arch’s opinion is a good one. I love OSU but, I can live with UC being ranked where they are. Notre Dame is probably one loss away from calling Coach Kelly. A cycle was bound to come UC’s way. The Bearcats are probably as good as they are going to be, whereas the Bucks need to keep improving. I think OSU will end up playing more top 20 teams ( we’ll see how each team does ). There is a reason OSU needs 70,000 more seats over the long run and the radio networks are what they are for a reason.By ironmyke
October 6, 2009 8:21 AM | Link to this
The reaction of OSU fans adds to the fun for UC fans.By Medbuck
October 5, 2009 10:44 PM | Link to this
This article, as well as the UC football team and program, reek of a huge inferiority complex. My God, a horrible football school historically has a couple decent years and the morons want to write how they are better than OSU. Don’t tug on Superman’s cape. UC is 0-10 since before 1900 against OSU. OSU has 7 NATIONAL TITLES, the last in 2002. UC has been to 1 BCS bowl and lost. In 5 weeks, when UC has 2 losses, this debate will be long gone. The Buckeyes are, and will always be KING in the State of Ohio.By JW
October 5, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this
This article belongs in the comics section. I think George Thorogood would advise Archdeacon it’s time to “Get a haircut and get a real job”.By richardo
October 5, 2009 6:06 PM | Link to this
What’s the difference between a big 10 (11?) football player and an MAC or ACC player? The MAC/ACC player knows how to read & write! OSU (originally founded as Ohio A&M) is nothing but a farm team for the NFL. They can beat the scrubs, but always choke in any big game!By Mike
October 5, 2009 5:47 PM | Link to this
Hey Tom, do you own stock in Kool-aid?By Getaclue
October 5, 2009 5:33 PM | Link to this
Yea…Right! UC couldn’t beat the worse Big Ten team…LOL