The University of Cincinnati football team did not achieve the national ranking it desired in 1997, and played only one Top 25 team. But UC will continue to schedule sensibly for 1998, figuring that the best way to gain attention is simply to win games.
'98 schedule
UC tentatively has 10 of its 11 games scheduled for 1998:
Sep. 5 *TULANE
Sep. 12 Open
Sep. 19 *at Army
Sep. 26 INDIANA
Oct. 3 *at Louisville
Oct. 10 VIRGINIA TECH
Oct. 17 *at Memphis
Oct. 24 MIAMI UNIV.
Oct. 31 at Syracuse
Nov. 7 *E. CAROLINA
Nov. 14 *HOUSTON
*Conference USA game
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UC finished a 7-4 season with a 14-7 loss at East Carolina Thursday.
For 1998 the Bearcats tentatively have settled on 10 of their 11 games, with these highlights:
- Non-league games vs. Syracuse and Virginia Tech, both perennial Top 25 contenders.
- A home date with Indiana.
- A visit to Army, which joins the Bearcats' Conference USA for football only in 1998.
There will be no Penn States or Florida States scheduled, a tack UC tried with mostly spectacular failures in the 1980s and early '90s. Rather, the Bearcats hope for recognition with a fourth straight winning season, something UC hasn't seen since 1974-77.
''We've got to be schedule-wise,'' coach Rick Minter said. ''It's easier to recruit to a winning record, because you'll get better players. And to me, it doesn't get much better than playing a Syracuse and a Virginia Tech.''
UC played only one Top 25 team this year, losing 24-17 to No. 24 Southern Mississippi. That is not competition that enthralls bowl game selectors, and UC probably will be left wanting when at-large bids go out in early December.
Representatives of bowls such as the Independence and Motor City Bowls, who have spots to give, say UC is under consideration because of its seven victories, but that several teams rank ahead of the Bearcats.
UC, still seeking its first bowl bid since 1950, can offer more to recruits now than never. The Bearcats are now in a league with a guaranteed bowl bid (Liberty) going to its champion, and are involved in that all-important 1990s selling point - television. UC was on TV five times this year, including a game on ESPN and one on ESPN2.
As for recruiting, Minter must replace 11 outgoing senior starters, plus his punter, placekicker, and long snapper. The departing starters are:
- Offense: LT Jason Fabini, LG Joel Dolinski, RT Pierre Brilliant, TE Rodrick Monroe, FB Landon Smith, TB Daryl Royal.
- Defense: DT John Kobalka, DE Derrick Ransom, LB Phillip Curry, LB Brad Jackson, CB Artrell Hawkins.
- Specialists: PK Eric Richards, P Doug Johnson, LS Steve Chayra. Fabini and Ransom are rated NFL draftees by analysts Jerry Jones and Mel Kiper, and several other Bearcats should get free-agent looks.
Minter lists offensive tackles and cornerbacks as his top needs. Another running back would be nice, to complement junior-to-be Robert Cooper at tailback. Depth is needed on the defensive line.
At quarterback, Minter has incumbent Chad Plummer, who will be a senior next year. The speedy Plummer led UC in rushing but was a disappointment passing, completing only 46 percent of his throws. Deontey Kenner, a freshman with a big arm, is considered the heir apparent at quarterback by the 1999 season.
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