The final four games of the Cincinnati Bearcats 2021 season began with ESPN's College Gameday making an appearance. Kirk Herbstreit said it was the best crowd they had had all season, and it was great to see the University of Cincinnati on College Football's premiere pregame show. The celebration came just four days after the Cincinnati Bearcats were placed at number six in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, which drew the ire of many Cincinnati Bearcats fans. And after a close call ...
Jul 18, 2022•22 min•Ep. 154
Fresh off their wins at Indiana and Notre Dame, the Cincinnati Bearcats returned home to start conference play with a clear path to the College Football Playoff. The Cincinnati Bearcats dominated Temple and UCF at home, winning by a combined score of 108-24. So much so, that UCF head coach Gus Malzahn said after the game that the Cincinnati Bearcats could win a national championship. Forget just going to the CFP. This was a program that could win a national championship. Then, though, came the t...
Jul 15, 2022•22 min•Ep. 153
Alex is heading on vacation at the time you are hearing this, and while he is away, you can relive the 2021 Cincinnati Bearcats CFP season from his perspective. Today, it's games 1-4. The first four games of the season featured the highly-anticipated showdowns at Indiana and Notre Dame. Alex was there for both of them, and the two wins cemented that the Cincinnati Bearcats dream of going to the College Football Playoff were very much real. Alex explains what he was thinking before, during and af...
Jul 14, 2022•30 min•Ep. 152
Alex is joined by the Hall of Fame Voice of the Bearcats, Dan Hoard, as they talk about the Cincinnati Bearcats draft class. Dan explains that it's not just head coach Luke Fickell who's responsible for the development of those who were selected. It's also strength and conditioning coach Brady Collins. Alex and Dan talk about which Bearcats players will have the most success in the NFL, and how good Dan thinks the 2022 version of the Cincinnati Bearcats will be. Dan then describes what it was li...
Jul 13, 2022•43 min•Ep. 151
There is one thing the Cincinnati Bearcats need to do in order to have success in 2022 that no one is talking about: winning on the road. Alex explains why that will be a greater challenge this year than the last two years, especially with the loss of several alpha-dog players. Not only will winning on the road make the Cincinnati Bearcats successful this year, but it will also make them successful once they join the Big 12. Alex explains how the Cincinnati Bearcats winning on the road can attra...
Jul 12, 2022•23 min•Ep. 150
You thought the University of Louisville was a good next target for the Big 12? Well, Alex is back with an even bigger swing in mind: the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Imagine adding the most successful regular-season college basketball program of the last eight years into your conference. The competition would be fierce. If the Big 12 doesn't go after Pac12 schools in the latest round of conference realignment, what Group of Five schools could they go after. Alex mentions several that have always been wort...
Jul 11, 2022•18 min•Ep. 149
Is it time to press the panic button on the Cincinnati Bearcats going to the Big 12 with conference realignment picking up steam? Alex is joined by Locked On Big 12 host Josh Neighbors for his thoughts on the state of the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Big 12 amid all the conference realignment rumblings swirling. Josh thinks the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Big 12 are fine, but what happens if the Big Ten and the SEC become super conferences? Alex and Josh then talk about additional schools the Big...
Jul 08, 2022•35 min•Ep. 148
There is one team the Big 12 should target that nobody is talking about. Alex thinks the Louisville Cardinals should be the next team the Big 12 targets, renewing the Keg of Nails Rivalry. Adding Louisville makes sense geographically, for television markets, and adding a school with a passionate fanbase. Alex then explains the things he's most looking forward to most about the Cincinnati Bearcats joining the Big 12, highlighted by the feeling of finally feeling like Cincinnati Bearcats games. Th...
Jul 08, 2022•29 min•Ep. 147
The competition for the Cincinnati Bearcats once they join the Big 12 will be substantially greater than it is in the AAC. Today, Alex takes a look at the toughest games the Cincinnati Bearcats will face once they join the Big 12. Kansas will be the biggest test in men's basketball, but there will be other teams that pose challenges for the Cincinnati Bearcats. On the gridiron, a trip to Oklahoma State won't be an easy environment to walk into, plus a trip to BYU can also come with its challenge...
Jul 07, 2022•26 min•Ep. 146
When it comes to rivalries, the Cincinnati Bearcats have two. Miami (OH) in football and Xavier in basketball. But Alex thinks there needs to be new rivalries created once Cincinnati joins the Big 12, particularly in football. There are some rivalries that are forming right now as the Cincinnati Bearcats end their time in the American Athletic Conference. UCF and Houston could remain rivals to the Cincinnati Bearcats once all three teams join the Big 12. Once in the Big 12, a rivalry from the pa...
Jul 06, 2022•27 min•Ep. 145
The Cincinnati Bearcats linebackers are led by a pair of brothers, but which one of them will lead the team in tackles? Alex is back with another edition of Bold Prediction Tuesday, where he explains just how good he thinks Deshawn and Ivan Pace can be. There is another linebacker on this roster who is poised for a breakout season entering his sixth season with program. Alex explains why this linebacker's veteran presence and leadership have him poised for a breakout season. Linebackers typicall...
Jul 05, 2022•20 min•Ep. 144
Alex explains where he thinks the Cincinnati Bearcats stand as another round of conference realignment begins. Cincinnati Bearcats fans are probably feeling uneasy with USC and UCLA going to the Big 10. Alex agrees, but reminds fans that the Big 12 hasn't been targeted yet and the Pac12 may choose not to expand. Plus, would the Big Ten or the SEC really want Big 12 schools to come to their conference? The Cincinnati Bearcats right now are heading to the Big 12. That's a lot better position than ...
Jul 04, 2022•21 min•Ep. 143
Alex reveals who his favorite player is on this year's Cincinnati Bearcats roster (spoiler alert; it's not Evan Prater). And that player has the chance to become the greatest Cincinnati-area defensive recruit in Cincinnati Bearcats history. We all remember Sauce Gardner and Desmond Ridder for their greatness, but a great player who's from Cincinnati makes you appreciate his greatness that much more. This week is all about the linebackers, and Cincinnati's linebacker room has a very hometown feel...
Jul 04, 2022•29 min•Ep. 142
The Cincinnati Bearcats enter the Big 12 one year from today, July 1, 2023. Alex explains the 12 things that need to happen for both the Cincinnati Bearcats football and men's basketball programs over the next year, so they can be ready to win in the Big 12 from day one. The Cincinnati Bearcats have to know who their starting quarterback is going into the Big 12, and Gino Guidugli has to show he is a legitimate offensive coordinator and play caller. On the hardwood, the Cincinnati Bearcats must ...
Jul 01, 2022•31 min•Ep. 141
The Cincinnati Bearcats enter the 2022 season with several defensive linemen carrying something to prove. Alex is joined by AllBearcats colleague Russ Heltman for his take on the Cincinnati Bearcats new look defensive linemen. Russ thinks Jabari Taylor enters the season with the most to prove, that he can be the anchor of this defensive line. In addition, this is the year for Jowon Briggs to show why he was such a coveted transfer pick-up last year. Russ then shares his thoughts on new Big 12 co...
Jun 30, 2022•27 min•Ep. 140
The Cincinnati Bearcats have signed a plethora of cornerbacks for their 2023 recruiting class. And after the legendary success of Sauce Gardner and Coby Bryant, could Cincinnati be becoming the next DBU of college football? Alex is joined by John Garcia Jr., the director of football recruiting for Sports Illustrated, for his thoughts on the Cincinnati Bearcats 2023 recruiting class. He cites going to the Big 12 as a primary reason why Cincinnati is going after so many cornerbacks, and is equally...
Jun 29, 2022•30 min•Ep. 139
It's another episode of Bold Prediction Tuesday as today Alex gives five bold predictions for the Cincinnati Bearcats defensive line in 2022. We know the big three members of the defensive line in Malik Vann, Curtis Brooks and Jabari Taylor, but there is another defensive lineman ready to make a splash. Alex explains why one particular defensive lineman is ready to make a Deshawn Pace-like leap in 2022. The biggest weakness of the Cincinnati Bearcats defensive line last year was its ability to s...
Jun 28, 2022•19 min•Ep. 138
The Cincinnati Bearcats defensive line is also a position experiencing an overhaul heading into the 2022 season. Alex explains how it's now up to Malik Vann and Jowon Briggs to pick up the departures of Curtis Brooks and other great defensive lineman from previous years. Vann and Briggs were easy to overlook with all the talent on the Cincinnati Bearcats defense in 2021. But this year, they will be the ones playing a big role in the Cincinnati Bearcats push for another 10-win season. Another fac...
Jun 27, 2022•26 min•Ep. 137
The Cincinnati Bearcats over/under win total heading into this season is set at 9, according to BetOnline. Alex explains how you can either be smart and take the under, or bold and take the over. Alex then looks at the toughest games on the Cincinnati Bearcats 2022 schedule. The back-to-back road games at SMU and UCF are a gauntlet, but there's another game at a lesser opponent that Alex thinks could be more difficult than expected. The fact that the Cincinnati Bearcats only saw their over/under...
Jun 23, 2022•25 min•Ep. 136
The Cincinnati Bearcats are losing two All-Americans at cornerback, but they can't have the position be a weakness in 2022. Alex explains the importance of the players replacing Sauce Gardner and Coby Bryant stepping up and making it not seem so obvious that Sauce and Coby Bryant aren't here anymore. A lot of programs would dream to be on the kind of footing and have the kind of momentum the Cincinnati Bearcats have as they head into the Big 12. Head coach committed to the long-term, success on ...
Jun 22, 2022•25 min•Ep. 135
The Cincinnati Bearcats are joining the Big 12 at a time for the conference. Alex is joined by Locked On Big 12 host Josh Neighbors for his thoughts on the Cincinnati Bearcats officially joining the Big 12 July 1, 2023, and if they are joining the conference at a time when the conference is going through a transition. Alex and Josh discuss if the Cincinnati Bearcats can win immediately upon joining the Big 12, and why the men's basketball program will face a steeper learning curve when joining t...
Jun 21, 2022•36 min•Ep. 134
The Cincinnati Bearcats are not rebuilding in 2022. They are reloading. And Alex explains how the recruiting the program has done over the last few years must pay dividends this season for it to be a success. While the Cincinnati Bearcats are headed to the Big 12 in 2023, they are still a Group of Five team for 2022. And anything short of a third straight conference championship in 2022, especially coming off a College Football Playoff appearance, will be viewed as unsuccessful. The Cincinnati B...
Jun 20, 2022•35 min•Ep. 133
If you're a Cincinnati Bearcats and Bengals fan, you may have wondered over the years why there are so many Pittsburgh Steelers fans residing in the Queen City. To help get to the bottom of that, Alex is joined by University of Pittsburgh alum and Locked On Steelers host Christopher Carter. Christopher explains that, yes, Steelers fans do travel well. But they're also just everywhere across the country at the 766 Steelers bars in America. Alex and Christopher then talk about their memories of th...
Jun 17, 2022•43 min•Ep. 132
Nippert Stadium expansion is a hot topic around the Cincinnati Bearcats, but does it need to be expanded? Alex is joined by AllBearcats reporter Russ Heltman, and he doesn't think Nippert needs to be expanded as the Cincinnati Bearcats head into the Big 12. Future recruits should be more attracted to the new practice bubble than an expanded Nippert Stadium. The new Big 12 television deal is going to greatly benefit the Cincinnati Bearcats, especially from a basketball standpoint. Russ even think...
Jun 16, 2022•35 min•Ep. 131
The Cincinnati Bearcats have sold out over 23,000 season tickets for the upcoming season, and that has started the conversation of Nippert Stadium expanding. Alex doesn't think Nippert Stadium needs to expand... for now. He explains how the Cincinnati Bearcats need to sustain their success this year and heading into the Big 12 before an expansion just happens. If the Cincinnati Bearcats ever get to 30,000 season tickets sold out, then expanding Nippert Stadium would be a very real possibility. B...
Jun 15, 2022•22 min•Ep. 130
The Cincinnati Bearcats winning a third straight conference championship is a safe bet, and Alex explains why he is so confident he would go to Vegas right now and make it. Evan Prater got the luxury of learning behind Desmond Ridder in both of his two AAC Offensive Player of the Year seasons. When all is said and done, that should prevail in the QB battle between him and Ben Bryant. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is going to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated's NFL Preview issue in August. I...
Jun 14, 2022•33 min•Ep. 129
Alex ranks the seven Cincinnati Bearcats facing the most pressure heading into the 2022 season. There so many things to look forward to as the Cincinnati Bearcats prepare for a move into the Big 12, including the tremendous momentum they have in recruiting. The success of the Cincinnati Bearcats in recruiting has gotten fans to care about recruiting in a way that Power Five fanbases care about recruiting. Athlon Sports recently unveiled their 2022 college football preview issue, and they have so...
Jun 13, 2022•21 min•Ep. 128
The University of Cincinnati is officially going to the Big 12! Go celebrate with Skyline Chili, Graeter's Ice Cream, Montgomery Inn, you name it!! Alex shares what he's most excited about with the University of Cincinnati joining the Big 12, including the people associated with Cincinnati Bearcats athletics and the University he's thinking of most on this most momentous day for the University. Find Locked On Bearcats on your favorite podcast platforms: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com...
Jun 10, 2022•28 min•Ep. 127
The Cincinnati Bearcats now have ten commitments within the past week, moving them up to No. 4 in the 247Sports Composite rankings. Alex is joined by AllBearcats beat writer Russ Heltman, and Russ says that the Cincinnati Bearcats are starting to build a recruiting wall in Ohio and showing they can compete with Ohio State as a Power Five conference. Find Locked On Bearcats on your favorite podcast platforms: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/locked-on-bearcats-daily-podcast-o...
Jun 09, 2022•15 min•Ep. 126
Athlon Sports has named 20! Cincinnati Bearcats to its preseason All-AAC teams, including seven to its first teams. Three offensive linemen made the first team, and Alex thinks that is a true testament to how Luke Fickell wants this program to be driven. Players who have seen quick rises to the top of the depth chart or who are taking on larger roles this year also got chosen to the all-conference teams. It shows Athlon has incredible respect for what the Cincinnati Bearcats have done, and they ...
Jun 07, 2022•31 min•Ep. 125
