This was originally published in The Athletic.
If you havenât been watching, then you wonât believe what Iâm about to tell you. And thatâs OK, because Iâd be just as doubtful if I wasnât watching.
But I am.
Iâm watching in real time the resurrection of a college football program at the University of Cincinnati.
If youâre not watching, then all you see are the scores of games involving three tomato cans: a dormant UCLA program thatâs big in name recognition only, a Miami team thatâs scored three points now in two weeks and FCS-dwelling Alabama A&M. I canât blame you for not believing that UC is housing college footballâs next dynasty.
But if you are watching, then you see whatâs happening. A program that started drifting aimlessly four years ago before bottoming out two years later hasnât just stopped going in reverse, itâs started to slowly gain momentum. Even if who the Bearcats are beating might not suggest that UC football is on its way back, itâs the way theyâve looked while winning three straight to begin the season that might make you think Luke Fickellâs program is at least starting to turn the corner.
If youâre watching.
To read the entire piece, go to The Athletic.
(Photo: Getty Images)