CINCINNATI — It’s time. The time is now for the Cincinnati Bearcats to start winning games in their third season in the Big 12, and in Scott Satterfield’s third season as their head coach.
The optimism throughout the Spring and Summer has been good to hear from the players and coaches, but it has yet to translate to wins on the field this Fall.
Brendan Sorsby, Dontay Corleone, Joe Royer and Jake Golday are all back for another season. They’re back to right the wrong of the five-game losing streak to end the regular season last year.
Transfers like Matthew McDoom are here to bolster the roster to compete in the Big 12.
With that, here are my game-by-game predictions for the 2025 Cincinnati Bearcats.
Game-by-Game Predictions for the 2025 Cincinnati Bearcats
Week 1: vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (Kansas City, Mo.) (9:00 on ESPN)
The Bearcats don’t get the luxury of opening against an FCS team this season. Playing against Nebraska in Kansas City will be no walk in the park Thursday night, especially with the Cornhuskers coming off their first bowl appearance since 2016. Nebraska is led by quarterback Dylan Raiola, who is coming off a solid Freshman season in 2024. Now with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen fully entrenched, the Cornhuskers look to be more consistent on offense.
Head coach Matt Rhule has gotten Nebraska back to bowl eligibility. The next step for him and the Cornhuskers is to contend in the Big Ten. In his previous head coaching stints at the college level, Rhule’s teams always hit their strides in his third season. That could be the case for Nebraska this season, and it will start with a win Thursday night against the Bearcats.
Score Prediction: Nebraska 35 – Bearcats 24
Week 2: vs. Bowling Green (3:30 on ESPN+)
Even the Bearcats home-opener isn’t going to be a walk in the park. Bowling Green has made a bowl game in each of the last three seasons, and the Falcons were picked to finish sixth in the MAC Preseason Poll.
The Bearcats have to start winning games at home. They’re only 4-9 at Nippert Stadium over the last two seasons. Playing against Bowling Green shouldn’t be too big of a challenge, but this game may be a lot closer than expected.
Score Prediction: Bearcats 37 – Bowling Green 24
Week 3: vs. Northwestern State (3:30 on ESPN+)
Okay, not much needed to explain here. Northwestern State joined FCS in 2006, and they haven’t had a .500 season since 2014 or a winning season since 2008.
Needless to say, this game should be over early.
Score Prediction: Bearcats 63 – Northwestern State 14
Week 4: BYE
Week 5: @ Kansas
Kansas went 9-4 in 2023, but they had a setback in 2024 with a 5-7 season. Like the Bearcats, the Jayhawks are looking to bounce back this season and get back to bowl eligibility and towards the top of the Big 12.
Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels is back for his Senior season, and he’ll have two returning starters along the offensive line.
After five straight losses to follow a season-opening win, the Jayhawks finished 4-2 over their last six games, including a win against Colorado. They beat Fresno State to open their new stadium this past Saturday, and they’ll take on Wagner and Missouri prior to the Bearcats coming to Lawrence on Sept. 27th.
In a game that could go either way, I think Kansas will hold serve at home.
Score Prediction: Kansas 30 – Bearcats 27
Week 6: vs. Iowa State
The Cyclone beat Kansas State this past Saturday in Dublin, and they look the part of a team that could be really formidable this season. Quarterback Rocco Becht leads a Cyclones program coming off an 11-win season in 2024, and he has his running back, Carson Hanen, returning as well as three starters up front.
Matt Campbell has built a terrific culture in Ames. Iowa State has played in two Big 12 Championship games this decade, and they’re aspiring to win it this season.
This is a team the Bearcats have not fared well against in each of the last two seasons. Even playing at Nippert Stadium this season, I think Iowa State handles the Bearcats to open October.
Score Prediction: Iowa State 31 – Bearcats 20
Week 7: vs. Central Florida
The rivalry between the Bearcats and Central Florida has carried over into the Big 12, with both games the last two seasons decided by six points or less.
Central Florida will have a completely different roster this season, so this is a game the Bearcats should win at home to get back to .500.
Score Prediction: Bearcats 27 – Central Florida 20
Week 8: @ Oklahoma State
These are not the Oklahoma State Cowboys of the last 20 years. Head coach Mike Gundy’s program is falling, and there’s not much on their roster this season to suggest a bounce-back season is imminent.
Boone Pickens Stadium is a tough place to win as the road team. However, I think the Bearcats, with the more experienced roster, can go into Stillwater and win to move over .500.
Score Prediction: Bearcats 34 – Oklahoma State 27
Week 9: vs. Baylor
The Bears, on the other hand, are going to be really good this season. With 13 returning starters, including eight on offense, the Bears are poised to build off an 8-5 season in 2024.
Baylor beat the Bearcats 32-29 in 2023, so Cincinnati will be looking for revenge. Unfortunately, I think this game will continue to show the Bearcats struggles in beating top-tier teams in the Big 12.
Score Prediction: Baylor 34 – Bearcats 28
Week 10: @ Utah
After a disappointing season in 2024, in which they entered as one of the favorites to win the Big 12, the Utes look to bounce back this season with a new quarterback in Devon Dampier.
In a wide-open Big 12, the Utes are fully capable of getting back to the top of the conference with a new offensive coaching staff.
Playing in Salt Lake City in early November could present some challenges. This will be the Bearcats longest road trip of the season and only time they travel two time zones for a game.
Score Prediction: Utah 38 – Bearcats 28
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: vs. Arizona
This will be the first matchup between the Bearcats and Arizona as Big 12 members. Arizona coming to Cincinnati in mid-November could be a huge advantage for Cincinnati.
The Wildcats were supposed to win the Big 12 last year. At least, they were favored to do so. Noah Fifita is back at quarterback, but he won’t have Tetairoa McMillan to throw to this season. McMillan was drafted by the Carolina Panthers eighth overall this past April.
Cincinnati should win this game, and I believe they will.
Score Prediction: Bearcats 41 – Arizona 24
Week 13: vs. BYU
BYU entered the Summer with hopes of being a legitimate Big 12 title and College Football Playoff contender. Then quarterback Jake Retzlaff decided to transfer to Tulane.
Given that, the Bearcats should hold serve at home and clinch bowl eligibility. This is a home game the Bearcats really need to win.
Score Prediction: Bearcats 31 – BYU 23
Week 14: @ TCU
TCU is coming off a solid 9-4 season in 2024, but they lost a lot from last year’s team. Quarterback Josh Hoover returns, but his receivers from last year are not on this year’s team.
Playing on the road Thanksgiving Weekend is never easy. However, I think Brendan Sorsby will shine playing in his home state on the holiday weekend. I think the Bearcats get a good win on the road to end the regular season.
Score Prediction: Bearcats 28 – TCU 24
