This Beatdown is Really Hurting Cincinnati's Perception

[Rational Cat]

BK said, with approval, that the BE had the easiest path to the BCS. Tonight, we saw the downside of that. UC marched through the BE undefeated, and found itself matched with a team that was just too much to handle. Preseason, any of us would have said that a finish in the top three of the BE and a Top 25 ranking would have been a great season for the Cats. We got hot and started attracting NC talk, which was bound to end in disappointment, 'cause we're just not that level of team. Top 25 for sure, Top 10 maybe, Top 5 probably not, NC or runner-up, no way... and I don't mean that as a complaint.

One thing that great teams, NC quality teams, do is (sometimes) put beatdowns on "mere" Top 25 squads. We didn't do that to anyone in or near the Top 25.

smartest thing I've read so far.

At the beginning of this year, most of us had supreme doubts about the defense. Somehow it all got patched together to wind up 12-0. Yeah, we got manhandled last night by Florida, but that is a talent discrepancy, and had nothing to do with coaching or game planning.

It was an unbelievable, incredible, fantastic season.

The football Bearcats have just played in the Orange Bowl, and Sugar Bowl, in back to back seasons. I still have to pinch myself to be sure I am not daydreaming.

Yeah, we lost both games, but the Big Red Machine lost their first two World Series that they played in (1970,'72). Those losses are experience, and a measuring stick needed in order to improve.

[norwoodbearcat]

Last night taught us a lot about big time college football. Had a blast in New Orleans and had a great time this year but I am completly amazed at how good Florida really is, wow. As much as it hurts you have to question that automatic BCS bid. Then again I'm not to sure who out there can beat those guys.

[#41]

In 3 days no one outside of Cincinnati will remember.

We'll revisit this statement next season, when -- if UC wins a few games to start the season -- people are wondering why the team is climbing so slowly in the polls.

This loss stings badly. Voters have long memories when it comes to these sorts of things. The dog on Cincinnati was that they were good, but they weren't in the same elite-level of the top programs. Losing to VT and Fla in back to back years reinforces that opinion.

[ou_bearcat]

The dog on Cincinnati was that they were good, but they weren't in the same elite-level of the top programs. Losing to VT and Fla in back to back years reinforces that opinion.

I think we can say that it isn't an opnion.

I enjoyed every game this season; it was great.

But we aren't a Florida, Alabama or Texas.

I'm sure that the Cats could compete with those teams on a rare occasion. I was hoping that was going to be last night. It obviously wasn't

We are not an elite level program.

Maybe some day.

[bobestes]

This season was magical. Nothing changes that.

[mjb1979]

We'll revisit this statement next season, when -- if UC wins a few games to start the season -- people are wondering why the team is climbing so slowly in the polls.

This loss stings badly. Voters have long memories when it comes to these sorts of things. The dog on Cincinnati was that they were good, but they weren't in the same elite-level of the top programs. Losing to VT and Fla in back to back years reinforces that opinion.

I don't know that the loss stings. It sucked to watch, but it doesn't hurt the program. The polls don't determine who wins games; games determine where you are in the polls. We lost to Florida because they are a markedly better team. There is no shame in this loss. We are who we are.

[DMoney1080]

smartest thing I've read so far.

At the beginning of this year, most of us had supreme doubts about the defense. Somehow it all got patched together to wind up 12-0. Yeah, we got manhandled last night by Florida, but that is a talent discrepancy, and had nothing to do with coaching or game planning.

It was an unbelievable, incredible, fantastic season.

The football Bearcats have just played in the Orange Bowl, and Sugar Bowl, in back to back seasons. I still have to pinch myself to be sure I am not daydreaming.

Yeah, we lost both games, but the Big Red Machine lost their first two World Series that they played in (1970,'72). Those losses are experience, and a measuring stick needed in order to improve.

Absolutely true. It stings...but unlike last year, I really thought we had to play perfect to beat Florida. When we didn't we got blew out. It happens. Florida had a chip on their shoulder for Tebow and Meyer. They played like it. We didn't show up offensively until the second half. We can grow from this. We have gotten to 2 BCS games in two years. We travel with a lot more - 25,000+. The fan base is growing. Yes, it hurts, it stings, but don't take away what was a fantastic year for UC football. These things happen. Let's keep up the support and we will get there

[broeli]

You know what, this could've happened to pretty much ANY team. Look at what Florida did to Ohio State a few years ago! It was the same score margin 41-14. OSU had like 82 TOTAL yards for the game. They came back and won the Rose Bowl this year. I bet Florida wouldve thumped them again this year too. Florida played VERY hard and Tebow was determined to have a career game.

[bearcatd]

But we aren't a Florida, Alabama or Texas.

I'm sure that the Cats could compete with those teams on a rare occasion. I was hoping that was going to be last night. It obviously wasn't

Before saying this, lets see what Texas does against Bama. If Bama blows out Texas, we might be considered just as good as them...and the SEC championship would have been the de facto BCS championship game. It also might land us a higher ranking to end the season. I'm not sure that the Texas offense is multi dimensional enough to put up points on Bama - and Bama is really good across the board.

[Bearcat_DF]

Before saying this, lets see what Texas does against Bama. If Bama blows out Texas, we might be considered just as good as them...and the SEC championship would have been the de facto BCS championship game. It also might land us a higher ranking to end the season. I'm not sure that the Texas offense is multi dimensional enough to put up points on Bama - and Bama is really good across the board.

I think this scenario is likely - I think Bama puts a beat down on TX.

Then we will hear how the B-12 doesn't deserve a BCS automatic bid. Serious, who has TX beat this year?

[ou_bearcat]

In 3 days no one outside of Cincinnati will remember.

I highly, highly doubt people in Columbus will have a short memory of this game.

[Rational Cat]

I highly, highly doubt people in Columbus will have a short memory of this game.

That's OK, I can remember Ohio State losing 2 years in a row to South Carolina, in the OUTBACK BOWL, in 2001 and 2002.



and I'm not an OSU hater by any means, and usually root for them when they aren't playing UC or a Big East team.