Since joining the Big East Conference, the Cincinnati Bearcats football program has been a consistent presence at the top of the final regular season standings. The trend is expected to continue this season, as second-year head coach Butch Jones brings back a total of 12 starters (five on offense and seven on defense) from a Bearcats squad that finished with a 10-3 record and finished No. 25 in the final AP Poll.
Despite the leadership coming back, Cincy will need to somehow replace its starting quarterback Zach Collaros, last season's Big East Offense Player of the Year, running back Isiah Pead, and Big East Defensive Player of the Year, defensive tackle Derek Wolfe.
That responsibility will hang on the shoulders of first-year starting quarterback Munchie Legaux.
The junior, which backed-up Collaros last year, will enter the season in a new roll, but he will not be a normal wide-eyed, first-year starter, as he played in 11 games in '11-12 and made 116 passing attempts. If Legaux cannot get the job done, then Brendon Kay could possibly get a shot.
Legaux will not make the trip to Newport, RI for the Big East media day, as the Bearcats will be represented by linebacker Maalik Bomar, offensive linemen Austen Bujnoch and defensive end Walter Stewart.
Last season, Bomar played in 13 games and made 60 tackles.
Overall, Cincinnati will be looking to collect at least a share of the Big East crown for the fourth time in five seasons.
For a full preview and updates on the Big East media day, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For on the Cincinnati football program visit the SB Nation blog Down The Drive, while Big East Coast Bias is all about the Big East Conference.