The Cincinnati Bearcats have been a run-first team for the entire Luke Fickell era. But could that change with a new offensive coordinator and quarterback? Alex is joined by Cincinnati Bearcats The Athletic beat writer Justin Williams for his insights on a potential new-look offense and the latest insight from the quarterback battle. Justin and Alex then get into a development on the offensive line that may have one starter from last year on the bench to start the season. When it comes to the Co...
Aug 31, 2022•34 min•Ep. 184
There were several moments in the offseason for the Cincinnati Bearcats that can be viewed as turning points. Alex looks at four key turning points starting with Ben Bryant transferring back to Cincinnati in early January. Ben Bryant transferring back has created a quarterback battle that has defined the entire offseason and can also loom over the regular season. In addition, Luke Fickell's contract extension in February announced Cincinnati's long-term commitment to the man who has built this p...
Aug 30, 2022•30 min•Ep. 183
The Cincinnati Bearcats are getting set to travel to Arkansas this Saturday for the 2022 season-opener. Alex gives listeners and viewers a first look at Arkansas based on his film study. Arkansas is a team that is driven by its running game, particularly from dual-threat quarterback KJ Jefferson. There are also other elements to the running game that Alex thinks could be problematic for the Cincinnati Bearcats defense. On defense, Arkansas lost a lot from their team last year. But they still hav...
Aug 29, 2022•25 min•Ep. 182
Alex wraps up the week of season previews by explaining why this is the most important season in Cincinnati Bearcats football history and a season of validation. Even though the Cincinnati Bearcats lost nine players to the NFL Draft, that's not tampering the high expectations entering the season. Alex explains why anything less than a conference championship will be considered a failure. Then, Alex reveals his record prediction for the 2022 Cincinnati Bearcats, going game by game and giving his ...
Aug 26, 2022•30 min•Ep. 181
Alex is joined by Cincinnati ESPN1530's Mo Egger to preview the 2022 Cincinnati Bearcats football season. Mo talks about how this team is still really talented despite losing nine players from last year's team to the NFL Draft. He also thinks Ben Bryant will start the season-opener but, like Alex, is intrigued by the idea of Evan Prater being this team's starting quarterback. Alex then asks Mo if there is anything he still needs to see from head coach Luke Fickell, heading into year six of his t...
Aug 25, 2022•35 min•Ep. 180
The Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback battle may have a conclusive winner, even if Luke Fickell and the rest of the coaching staff haven't announced it yet. Alex is joined by AllBearcats reporter Russ Heltman for his insights and analysis from his coverage of Fall Camp. Russ talks about how Ben Bryant is most likely going to be the starting quarterback week one at Arkansas, and how the Cincinnati Bearcats may open up their passing offense this season. Alex and Russ then look at who how the running...
Aug 24, 2022•31 min•Ep. 179
The 2022 Cincinnati Bearcats defense will feature a lot new faces but should still embody the tough and nasty culture of the program. There is a lot of uncertainty at cornerback replacing greatness. Alex explains why that's going to put more pressure on the front seven to make the new-look secondary's job easier. For as good as the Cincinnati Bearcats defense is, they are very susceptible to teams running the football. If the Cincinnati Bearcats are going to be a perennial top 10 program, they a...
Aug 23, 2022•30 min•Ep. 178
The 2022 Cincinnati Bearcats offense returns seven starters but will have new looks at quarterback and running back. Can this offense still be as prolific as last year's? Alex looks at how this offense can post statistics close to what the offense did in 2021. In addition, Ben Bryant is looking more and more like the starting quarterback for the season-opener at Arkansas. Going with the more experienced guy at quarterback is fine, but Bryant cannot fall into the trap of not being the reason the ...
Aug 22, 2022•31 min•Ep. 177
There is one player and one area of the Cincinnati Bearcats we are not talking about, but they could play a large role in defining the 2022 team. Alex talks about how fourth-year running back Ryan Montgomery could be poised for a breakout season, both as a running back and punt returner. His versatility can really help a Cincinnati Bearcats offense with lots of new faces in leadership roles. The biggest weakness on last year's Cincinnati Bearcats team was their kicking game, going just 9/19 on f...
Aug 19, 2022•36 min•Ep. 176
When it comes to the Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback battle, it could, and should, come to down this simple premise: striking while the iron is hot. Alex explains why that means starting Evan Prater to not slow down the momentum gained over the last five years. There are things Cincinnati offensive coordinator Gino Guidugli and head coach Luke Fickell have said about how the offense will look this season and being able to run the ball. Both of them translate to Evan Prater being the starter, and...
Aug 18, 2022•29 min•Ep. 175
The Cincinnati Bearcats are ranked No. 23 in the AP Preseason Top 25. Alex analyzes what that means with the season-opener just over two weeks away and what it means for the Cincinnati Bearcats chances at returning to the College Football Playoff. Alex also looks at the current and future Big 12 teams who are ranked and Arkansas checking in at number 19. What could be better for the Cincinnati Bearcats than a ranked matchup to start the season? Head coach Luke Fickell and several players are fea...
Aug 17, 2022•35 min•Ep. 174
The Cincinnati Bearcats held a scrimmage Saturday at Nippert Stadium. Russ Heltman of AllBearcats fills in for Alex Frank to recap what he saw in that scrimmage. Russ talks about how close the quarterback battle is, and how much the defense is ahead of the offense. Then, Russ talks about the former Cincinnati Bearcats who were in action in the NFL preseason this past weekend, headlined by Desmond Ridder. Find Locked On Bearcats on your favorite podcast platforms: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts...
Aug 16, 2022•26 min•Ep. 173
There's a case to be made that freshmen at the University of Cincinnati and around college football are getting more playing time. Alex is joined by John Garcia Junior, the director of football recruiting for Sports Illustrated, as he explains the reasons behind younger players getting more playing time early in their college careers. Alex then explains why quarterbacks, like Desmond Ridder, were able to start early in their careers and become really good quarterbacks. It's the same for other qu...
Aug 15, 2022•29 min•Ep. 172
Are the Cincinnati Bearcats being overlooked this season? Are teams like Arkansas overlooking them because they lost nine players to the NFL Draft from last year's team? Alex explains that overlooking the Cincinnati Bearcats is the exact thing you don't want to do. Once the fuel is added to the Cincinnati Bearcats fire, the engine is revved up and cannot be stopped. Dan Hoard recently did an interview with quarterbacks Ben Bryant and Evan Prater. Alex explains how he took away Prater's maturity ...
Aug 12, 2022•21 min•Ep. 171
The Cincinnati Bearcats landed a four-star transfer running back, and Cincinnati native, Corey Kiner in the transfer portal this past Spring. But what exactly will his role be this season? Alex explains why Kiner should be the lead running back on this team. The running backs ahead of him haven't done enough to make it difficult for Kiner to land the starting job. Like the quarterback battle, there is a lot of experience in the running back room. But should that take precedent over the talent th...
Aug 11, 2022•27 min•Ep. 170
Nippert Stadium is one of the oldest stadiums in College Football. But after the Bengals sold their naming rights to Paul Brown Stadium, should the University of Cincinnati sell naming rights to Nippert Stadium? There is a lot of momentum surrounding the Cincinnati Bearcats football program, and selling naming rights could be exactly what the University needs heading into the Big 12. To compete with the blue bloods in College Football on a financial level, the Cincinnati Bearcats are going to ne...
Aug 10, 2022•20 min•Ep. 169
The Cincinnati Bearcats are great at recruiting. But they are even better at developing players once they get to Clifton. Alex explains why the Cincinnati Bearcats being so good at developing players gives them a huge advantage going into the Big 12. Recruiting is glorified in College Football, especially when a program lands a high-prized player. But developing players often gets overlooked. We overlook the word "developing" because it's not "fancy." But if a program is good at developing playe...
Aug 09, 2022•17 min•Ep. 168
Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Evan Prater has tantalizing potential. And on today's show, Alex gives what would be his ideal plan for the four-star Cincinnati-area recruit. It's important for Prater to start at some point this season, preferably the season-opener to get him immediately into action. Starting Evan Prater in the American Championship and New Year's Six Bowl would be beneficial to him when he and the Cincinnati Bearcats make the move to the Big 12. Alex then explains why, even tho...
Aug 08, 2022•31 min•Ep. 167
The Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback battle is a unique one. Alex explains how Ben Bryant, the most experienced quarterback on the roster, may be on a short leash heading into Fall Camp. We think Ben Bryant has a ceiling, and with Evan Prater waiting in the wings, any struggles Bryant has could put him on the bench sooner rather than later. Speaking of Prater, he is the real winner in the whole quarterback battle. Unlike Bryant, Prater doesn’t have any pressure to be great right away. He can take...
Aug 05, 2022•23 min•Ep. 166
The Cincinnati Bearcats landing four-star wide receiver recruit Malik Elzy should not come as a surprise, in the sense that the Cincinnati Bearcats can now land those caliber of players on a national level. Alex is joined by John Garcia Jr., the director of football recruiting for Sports Illustrated, as they discuss what Malik Elzy can do for the Cincinnati Bearcats football program and how he is reminiscent of Alec Pierce. Alex and John then discuss how the linebacker position has changed to a ...
Aug 04, 2022•32 min•Ep. 165
The Cincinnati Bearcats are gearing up for the 2022 football season, but today we're switching things up for an update on hardwood. Alex is joined by Jason Jordan, the director of men's basketball recruiting for Sports Illustrated. They talk about how Rayvon Griffith could be a game-changing recruit for the Cincinnati Bearcats and if the Cincinnati Bearcats need to change their recruiting habits when they join the Big 12. Alex and John also talk about how head coach Wes Miller is the right man f...
Aug 03, 2022•34 min•Ep. 164
Alex looks at two hypothetical questions surrounding the Cincinnati Bearcats season-opening game at Arkansas: is it the biggest game, and would a win be the biggest win in school history? With it being the biggest game, Alex explains how Arkansas as an opponent doesn't move the needle as much as Georgia, Alabama or Notre Dame would. In addition, the storylines are hard to find in this game, harder to find that at Notre Dame. As far as the biggest win, that depends on what the Cincinnati Bearcats...
Aug 02, 2022•35 min•Ep. 163
A report from an Arkansas Razorbacks website believes the Cincinnati Bearcats can return to the College Football Playoff this season. Alex thinks that while that might not be realistic, it is a possibility. But there are a lot of things that need to happen for the Cincinnati Bearcats to return to the College Football Playoff. How does making the CFP last year and going to the Big 12 next year affect their national perception if they make a season-opening statement and beat Arkansas? A return tri...
Aug 01, 2022•33 min•Ep. 162
The Cincinnati Bearcats were picked to finish second in the American Athletic Conference at yesterday's conference media days. Alex questions how that can happen as the Cincinnati Bearcats are coming off a College Football Playoff appearance, two straight conference championships, 16 straight conference wins and 26 straight home wins. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Cincinnati Bearcats will have an offensive line that is returning all five starters. They will also have the best tight end t...
Jul 29, 2022•29 min•Ep. 161
The Cincinnati Bearcats are getting set for Fall Camp, as they prepare to win their third straight American Conference Championship. Alex continues to look at the biggest storylines as camp approaches. The running back room looks strong, but who will emerge as the lead running back? What will four-star transfer and Cincinnati native Corey Kiner's role be? For years, it's felt like the wide receiver position has been an afterthought within the Cincinnati Bearcats program. But this year, the talen...
Jul 26, 2022•25 min•Ep. 160
The Cincinnati Bearcats are getting set for Fall Camp, as they prepare to win their third straight American Conference Championship. Alex starts off the week by looking at the biggest storylines as camp approaches. The quarterback battle is without question the biggest storyline heading into Fall Camp. The question Alex has is who the most prepared to hit the ground running and lock down the starting job. On the other side of the ball, the cornerback position will have a totally new look to it w...
Jul 25, 2022•30 min•Ep. 159
While there are many incredible things Luke Fickell has done for the Cincinnati Bearcats football program, there is still a question of his ability to consistently win big games. Alex explains why Luke Fickell has struggled to consistently lead the Cincinnati Bearcats to wins in big games in the past. In addition, while he has had his fair share of big game wins in the past, there is a case to be made that those wins were a result of the Cincinnati Bearcats talent as opposed to his head coaching...
Jul 22, 2022•30 min•Ep. 158
The Cincinnati Bearcats are entering their final season in the American Athletic Conference. Coming off a College Football Playoff appearance and heading to the Big 12 in 2023, Alex explains why those are two of the reasons why the Cincinnati Bearcats winning a conference championship is the bare minimum for 2022. Believe it or not, the Cincinnati Bearcats have a greater margin for error this year than they did last year. Alex explains why the Cincinnati Bearcats can lose a game or two and still...
Jul 21, 2022•28 min•Ep. 157
It's that time of year where we analyze the state of college football programs around the country. Alex explains why the Cincinnati Bearcats are in a state of reloading, not rebuilding, and why this year's roster's depth could make it better than last year's roster. This year's Cincinnati Bearcats roster may lack experience at key positions, but multiple fifth and sixth-year players will be the ones deciding how many games the Cincinnati Bearcats win this year. What also will decide how many gam...
Jul 20, 2022•34 min•Ep. 156
The Cincinnati Bearcats dream of reaching the College Football Playoff was firmly in their grasp when the American Conference Championship kicked off. Alex relives the Cincinnati Bearcats winning the American Championship and punching their ticket to the College Football Playoff, including his memorable on-field experience working with ABC Sports for the game. Then, the Cincinnati Bearcats went toe-to-toe with the gold standard of modern-day college football in Alabama in the College Football Pl...
Jul 19, 2022•26 min•Ep. 155
