ESPN College Football

Our early look at the 2009 schedules rolls on with defending Big East champion Cincinnati. Like just about every other league team, the Bearcats still have some finalizing left to do with their schedule:

Nonconference schedule

Southeastern Missouri State
at Miami (Ohio)
at Oregon State
Fresno State
TBA

Thoughts

Cincinnati needs one final opponent but is in serious talks with Illinois for a game that would be played around Thanksgiving week. Adding the Illini would make this a very respectable nonconference slate, with two strong BCS teams, one traditionally tough non-BCS team in Fresno State and a rivalry game, plus the usual FCS filler. The Bearcats have to replace 10 defensive starters, and they could face some serious firepower from Oregon State and Illinois. Cincinnati blew out Oregon State at home two years ago to announce itself as a program on the rise; no doubt the Beavers will be looking for some payback in Corvallis.

Big East schedule

Home

Connecticut
Louisville
West Virginia

Away

Pittsburgh
Rutgers
South Florida
Syracuse

Thoughts

The Bearcats were no doubt helped in their title run by getting Rutgers, Pitt and South Florida at home in 2008. All three look like challenging road tests in '09, and Syracuse should be improved. Brian Kelly may guide the Bearcats back at the top of the Big East standings this season, but he'll have to get there by navigating a more demanding schedule.