Cincinnati enters the 2021 season ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press preseason poll, the highest preseason ranking by an American Athletic Conference team in the league’s first nine seasons.

The Bearcats return 14 starters from last year’s team, which went 9-1, won The American Championship Game and saw its only loss come on a late field goal against Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The Bearcats have won 20 consecutive home games and have not lost at Nippert Stadium since 2017.

QB Desmond Ridder is a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate after he accounted for 31 touchdowns (19 passing, 12 rushing) last season. The defense is led by All-America CB Ahmad Gardner, who had three interceptions and nine passes defended in 2020.