Bearcats Beat: State of the Bearcats and the Big 12 heading into conference play

CINCINNATI — For the third straight season, the Cincinnati Bearcats will enter Big 12 play with a 2-1 record. There is some positive momentum going into Big 12 play, but it feels like there is still so much this Bearcats program needs to prove over their next nine games.

In Scott Satterfield’s first two seasons with the Bearcats, the Bearcats’ first two seasons in the Big 12, they are just 4-14 in Big 12 play. That has to change if this program wants any shot at going to Dallas in December.

“We’re still working hard to get better, and we’re nowhere near where we can be,” Satterfield said. “I think we’ve been a pretty solid team over the first three games, but we also know that the real season starts now.

“Big 12 play, everybody’s good, everybody’s coached well. I think we’ve seen that as you go and watch all our teams in the Big 12 have done some really good things, and we’ve already started to see teams beat up on each other.”

Entering this week, 15 of the 16 teams in the Big 12 have winning records. The only team that doesn’t is Kansas State, and they were ranked to start the season. Seven teams are undefeated, including No. 12 Texas Tech and No. 14 Iowa State. TCU (No. 24) and BYU (No. 25) are 3-0, making four teams in the Big 12 that are ranked this week. Not to mention, Utah, Arizona State and Central Florida are receiving cotes.

Kansas, who the Bearcats play on Saturday, isn’t ranked or receiving votes. However, they are 3-1 with a Big 12 win over West Virginia. That win over the Mountaineers was a 41-10 win, where the Jayhawks had four touchdowns of 39+ yards.

The Jayhawks are a prime example of what makes the Big 12 so deep. They’re not ranked, and they’re also not receiving any votes. But they are a very dynamic team with experience. That experience is led by quarterback Jalon Daniels, who is in his sixth season with the Jayhawks and is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country.

“I think as you go through these games, there’s going to be a lot of tight games, there’s going to be a lot of back and forth, but you got to find some ways to hit your place and limit them in there,” Satterfield said. “I mean, that’s really what it’s going to come down to, and who goes the best will end up ultimately winning these games.”

One thing the Bearcats have going for them is their offensive line hasn’t allowed a single sack this season. It’s paved the way for quarterback Brendan Sorsby to have back-to-back really good games with eight touchdowns and no interceptions. He was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week in Week 3, when he went a perfect 15-of-15 with five touchdown passes against Northwestern State.

“Fifteen-for-fifteen is ideal, but It’s not going to happen every week,” Sorsby said. “It’s our job to figure out ways to get completion, to get guys the ball. We just have to go out there and execute one play at a time.

“Obviously against Nebraska we didn’t have a great game through the air, but the two weeks after that we had some success throwing the ball. We have to continue to carry that going into conference play and use that confidence and continue to build on it.”

Running the ball is also something the Bearcats are looking to get more consistent at. They rushed for 202 yards against Nebraska and 243 yards against Northwestern State, but they rushed for just 106 yards against Bowling Green.

The Bearcats rushing attack should be their offense’s bread and butter. Behind this offensive line and with an improved passing game, they’re hoping that opens wide rushing lanes and the ability to gain chunks of yardage in the running game.

Kansas allows 133.3 rushing yards per game, 12th in the Big 12.

“From the film I’ve watched, and from what Nic [Cardwell] has been saying, they impact the box with a lot of guys,” offensive lineman Taran Tyo said. “Hopefully our pass game opens up because of that. If we can get a one-on-one with the receiver on the outside, make a play there, and hopefully they’ll back off a little and get that run game going.”

Going on the road Saturday for an 11 a.m. C.T. kickoff is going to be a challenge for this Bearcats team. This is a game that can set the tone of the rest of the season. There are some positives going into Big 12 play. Now is the time for this program to build some tangibles.

“This is a huge week for us,” Satterfield said. “Starting Big 12 play against a really good opponent in Kansas on the road. It’s difficult to win out on the road in the Big 12. Obviously a great challenge for us, but we’re excited about the challenge. I’m looking forward to playing our first Big 12 game.”

The Bearcats are just 2-7 on the road in Big 12 play the last two seasons. Saturday will, undoubtedly, be a challenge for this Bearcats team.