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Cincinnati Stays in the Mix in the MAC

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Cincinnati Stays in the Mix in the MAC

Cincinnati has returners, but they also have some freshman talent.

Don't look now but University of Cincinnati is 3-1 in the MAC.

In a conference that looks to be pretty competitive even including the teams who haven't won games, there does appear to be an almighty race for playoff spots. Louisville (3-0) and Bowling Green (3-0), are certainly secure (and they meet up October 21), and Western Michigan is still around at 2-1.

But the Bearcats currently sit 3rd in the conference at 3-1 after beating Pitt 41-12. 

Cincy is led by a very solid forward effort with their scrum being especially powerful against a tough Pitt side. Prop Andrew McGlaughlin has been a rock up front and lock John Reddy anchors that second row nicely. At No. 8, Merrick Greulich continues to be an imposing attacking threat, especially off the eightman pick.

That's not to say the backs are just passengers. Flyhalf Matt Frindt has been running the attack nicely and his kicking game is on point, putting opposite outside backs under plenty of pressure. With Ran Anderson handling was the opposition dishes out—his open-field tackles are very good and he counter-attacks well—the combinations are starting to come together.

"Our young core continues to grow individually and as a team," said Head Coach Kyle Roche. "We started nine freshmen or sophomores in each of the last two games, and we are excited to continue to watch them continue to improve."

 

Things aren't settled, however, in the conference. It's worth noting that Ohio beat IUPUI 26-24 over the weekend, which was a good result for them and perhaps undercut IUPUI's hopes of chasing a semifinal place. Still IUPUI, Ohio, WMU, and UC are all decidedly in the hunt.

Winless in three are Dayton and Pitt, but they have each earned close-loss bonus points (Dayton were just barely edged by Cincinnati last week) and could cause anyone problems on the day.

This coming weekend Ohio is at Dayton and that's an important game for both. Pitt is at WMU and IUPUI is at Bowling Green.

A week later is one to circle, with Cincinnati at Western Michigan.