Cincinnati Bearcats Football 2011 Schedule: Game-by-Game Breakdown
Following two straight BCS Bowl appearances, the Cincinnati Bearcats fell flat on their face in 2010 under first-year head coach Butch Jones, finishing the season 4-8.
Key injuries and a young and inexperienced defense did the Bearcats in.
Cincinnati returns all 11 starters on defense along with star quarterback Zach Collaros and running back Isaiah Pead on the offensive side of the ball.
With a few difficult non-conference games and the seven-game Big East schedule, Cincinnati will have its hands full in 2011.
Here is a breakdown of the 2011 Cincinnati Bearcats schedule.
Austin Peay Governors (Ohio Valley)
When: September 1
Where: Home
Opponent's 2010 Record: 2-9, including 1-7 in the Ohio Valley Conference
Noteworthy: Austin Peay is an FCS school from Tennessee. Cincinnati has played one FCS school each of the past few seasons and opens with the Governors on a Thursday night.
Tennessee Volunteers (SEC)
When: September 10
Where: Knoxville, TN
Opponent's 2010 Record: 6-7, including a double-overtime 30-27 loss to North Carolina in the Music City Bowl.
Noteworthy: Tennessee came on strong last season under first-year head coach Derek Dooley winning their last four games to qualify for a bowl game.
Akron Zips (MAC)
When: September 17
Where: Home
Opponent's 2010 Record: 1-11
Noteworthy: The Zips lost their first 11 games last season before knocking off Buffalo in the season finale 22-14.
North Carolina State Wolfpack (ACC)
When: September 22
Where: Home
Opponent's 2010 record: 9-4 with a 23-7 victory in the Champs Sports Bowl over West Virginia
Noteworthy: The Wolfpack defeated the Bearcats in Raleigh last year 30-19 in Week 3.
Miami Redhawks (MAC)
When: October 1
Where: Oxford, OH
Opponent's 2010 Record: 10-4, including a 35-21 GODADDY.com bowl victory over Middle Tennessee.
Noteworthy: Miami was the first team in college football history to go from double digit losses one season to double digit wins the next season.
Louisville Cardinals (Big East)
When: October 15
Where: Paul Brown Stadium
Opponent's 2010 Record: 7-6 with a 31-28 Beef O'Brady's Bowl victory over Southern Mississippi.
Noteworthy: Louisville was one of six Big East teams to qualify for a Bowl game last season under first-year head coach Charlie Strong.
South Florida Bulls (Big East)
When: October 22
Where: Tampa, FL
Opponent's 2010 Record: 8-5, including a 31-26 victory over Clemson in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
Noteworthy: South Florida defeated Cincinnati last season 38-30 in a game where quarterback Zach Collaros went down with a knee injury.
Pittsburgh Panthers (Big East)
When: November 5
Where: Pittsburgh, PA
Opponent's 2010 Record: 8-5, with a 27-10 BBVA Compass Bowl victory over Kentucky.
Noteworthy: Pittsburgh hired and fired Mike Haywood in the offseason and are set to begin 2011 with their third head coach in the last couple of months.
West Virginia Mountaineers (Big East)
When: November 12
Where: Paul Brown Stadium
Opponent's 2010 Record: 9-4, including a 23-7 loss in the Champs Sports Bowl against North Carolina State.
Noteworthy: The Mountaineers manhandled the Bearcats last season in Morgantown 37-10.
Rutgets Scarlet Knights (Big East)
When: November 19
Where: Piscataway, NJ
Opponent's 2010 Record: 4-8
Noteworthy: The Scarlet Knights were the only team in the Big East with the exception of Cincinnati to not qualify for a bowl game.
Syrcause Orange (Big East)
When: November 26
Where: Syracuse, NY
Opponent's 2010 Record: 8-5, with a 36-34 New Era Pinstripe Bowl victory over Kansas State
Noteworthy: The Orange went from the bottom of the Big East in 2009 to the middle of the pack in 2010, going 4-3 in conference play.
Connecticut Huskies (Big East)
When: December 3
Where: Home
Opponent's 2010 Record: 8-5, including a 48-20 loss to Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.
Noteworthy: The Huskies are the defending Big East champs after going 5-2 in conference play last season and fell to the Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl.