How Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Ben Bryant brushes off criticism

Cincinnati Bearcats are on a bye week. They need to win their final three games to make a New Year's Six bowl. East Carolina is the toughest team to come to Nippert Stadium so far this season.

Cincinnati Bearcats are 7-2 and in contention for another American Athletic Conference title. The team's fan support for quarterback Ben Bryant has been intense. Coach Luke Fickell has stood by him despite some calls to bench him. UC's two-year unbeaten regular season was ended after losing a school-record nine NFL draft picks. They lost at Central Florida on October 29. Their 19-game conference winning streak was snapped. It's not worth debating whether the criticism of Bryant is fair. He's the guy who replaced Desmond Ridder.

Cincinnati Bearcats defeated Navy 20-10 last week. I predicted UC would win 31-20.

The predictions column didn't start until after UC's season-opening loss at Arkansas.