The 2017 Bearcats football schedule was released last week and after having some time to digest it, we've updated our interactive schedule (to the right) and have begun making road trip plans. Lets dig in...
Home games:
Let's face it, none of us like weeknight games unless they're high profile and featured on ESPN. This one is neither. However, excitement should still be in the air as we officially welcome the Luke Fickell era to Clifton. Should be nothing more than a warmup game against a squad that went 0-11 in 2016. Let It Fly!
In a season where we don't exactly have a spectacular home slate, this could be one of the better ones. Unlike most of our AAC counterparts, it's a safe bet that Marshall fans will travel, which always makes the atmosphere more fun. Marshall went 3-9 in 2016 - unless there's major improvement, this could be a final tuneup game before we dive into the meat of the conference schedule.
We went to Orlando last year and it wasn't pretty. In addition to the blistering heat, UCF handed our Bearcats a beat down, so you can definitely count on us do to our part to make sure that Nippert Stadium isn't a friendly place when these guys make the return trip.
SMU went 5-7 in 2016, but averaged nearly 26 points per game and scored over 30 points in 6 of their 12 games. This should be a good test for our Bearcats, as they implement a new offense & defense in 2017.
At time of writing, our only home primetime matchup. Nippert...under the lights...on national TV. Nothing else needs to be said.
We wrap up the season, at home, with a familiar foe. Could this be the beginning of the end of playing our old Big East pals?
Away games:
Attending (with trailer) - We've had this game circled since it was scheduled. Wouldn't miss this one for the world - the trailer will be making the trip and formal tailgate planning will begin in the coming months! Get your hotel booked while you can!
Attending (with trailer) - Yawn. Our 7th home game. We'll be there, with trailer, while we take over their stadium yet again. Maybe after going 6-7 in 2016 (losing to Mississippi State in the St Pete Bowl) they've breathed some life into their fanbase and it won't be the stale environment that it's been for the past several trips. Doubtful...but we'll see you there.
Not attending. Regretfully, we won't be making this trip. We've seen the stadium (2014 Military Bowl) and, unfortunately, can't handle 3 consecutive road games.
Not attending. We've been to several USF games (most recently, the debacle in 2015) and it's just time to see a new stadium.
Planning to attend (no trailer). Not 100%, but it's really tough to pass up a New Orleans trip. Will update the page ASAP, but as of February, count us in.
Planning to attend (with trailer). We've heard that ECU fans know how to party, so we plan to tow the trailer some 1200 miles round trip to experience it first hand. Please plan to join us - we think it'll be a fun one!
Could this be the year that the Bearcats return to glory? It's too early to tell, but the coaching staff is doing and saying all of the right things - we're 100% in and can't wait to see this team take the field under new leadership!
