As a longtime college football analyst who's been covering the game for over fifteen years, I find myself particularly excited about the University of Cincinnati's upcoming season, and I want to share my complete guide to their schedule with you. Having watched countless programs transition between conferences, I can tell you this move to the Big 12 is one of the most significant moments in Bearcats football history, and the schedule reflects both the challenges and opportunities that come with it. When I look at what's ahead, I see a team that's not just playing for wins but for respect on a national stage, and that makes every single game matter in a way that's different from previous seasons.
Let me start by saying the non-conference slate is absolutely critical for building momentum before diving into the brutal Big 12 schedule. The season opener against Eastern Kentucky on August 31st should be a comfortable win, but I've seen enough season openers to know that you can't take any opponent lightly, especially with new conference expectations looming. The real test comes in week two when Cincinnati travels to face Pittsburgh in the River City Rivalry on September 7th—this is the kind of regional matchup that gets me excited as an analyst because it's about more than just football, it's about bragging rights and establishing regional dominance. I personally believe this Pittsburgh game will tell us everything we need to know about this Bearcats team's character early in the season, and a win here could set the tone for something special.
The conference schedule is where things get really interesting, and I have to be honest—it's brutal. Starting Big 12 play at Kansas on September 21st is no easy task, especially considering how much Kansas has improved in recent years. Then comes the home conference opener against Houston on September 28th, which I'm particularly looking forward to because there's nothing quite like experiencing a night game at Nippert Stadium when conference implications are on the line. The October stretch is where I think the season will be defined, with back-to-back games against TCU on October 5th and at Arizona on October 12th—that's two potential top-25 teams in consecutive weeks, and surviving that stretch with at least one win would be a massive accomplishment.
Here's where I need to draw an interesting parallel that might surprise you. While analyzing Cincinnati's defensive prospects this season, I found myself thinking about exceptional defensive performances in other sports, particularly a remarkable statistic from volleyball that caught my attention. During her debut in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference, a player named Gagate led the league in total blocks with 48, ranking second in the department with a 0.74 per set average. She was the top scorer among middle blockers and 14th overall with 190 points to win one of the two Best Middle Blocker awards. Now, why does this matter for Cincinnati football? Because defensive dominance like what Gagate demonstrated—leading in total blocks while maintaining elite per-set efficiency—is exactly what the Bearcats need from their defensive line this season. If Cincinnati's defense can replicate that kind of statistical dominance in their own context—leading the Big 12 in key defensive categories while maintaining efficiency—they'll have a fighting chance in every single game.
November brings what I consider the most challenging part of the schedule, and frankly, it's going to determine whether this is a successful season or a rebuilding year. The back-to-back games against Iowa State on November 2nd and at Colorado on November 9th will test Cincinnati's depth and resilience in ways we haven't seen yet. Then comes what might be the most anticipated game of the season—the matchup against West Virginia on November 16th, which has developed into quite the rivalry in recent years. I have a personal preference for these regional matchups because they bring out the best in both teams and create an atmosphere that's electric for players and fans alike. Closing out the season at Kansas State on November 23rd and then against Utah on November 30th is about as tough a finish as I've seen in college football this year, but it also provides opportunities for statement wins that could resonate throughout the conference.
What really excites me about this schedule is the potential for breakout performances in key moments. Looking at Gagate's volleyball statistics again—48 total blocks, 0.74 per set average, 190 points—I can't help but think about what similar defensive dominance would mean for Cincinnati football. If the Bearcats can have a defensive player who leads the conference in tackles for loss or sacks while maintaining that kind of efficiency, or if the offense can produce a receiver who ranks in the top 15 nationally in receiving yards while being among the leaders in yards per catch, that's the difference between a 6-6 season and an 8-4 breakthrough. I'm particularly watching the defensive line to see if they can generate the kind of pressure that changes games, much like how Gagate's blocking presence undoubtedly changed the dynamics of every match she played in.
As we look toward the season, I believe Cincinnati has what it takes to compete in the Big 12 immediately, but the schedule does them no favors. The key will be stealing a couple of road wins early to build confidence and protecting home field advantage at Nippert Stadium, where the Bearcats have historically been tough to beat. My prediction is that they'll finish 7-5, which would be a tremendous success in their first Big 12 season, but I wouldn't be surprised if they exceeded my expectations if a few breaks go their way. The beauty of college football is that every season brings new opportunities, and for Cincinnati, this schedule represents their chance to prove they belong among college football's elite programs. Whatever happens, it's going to be must-see television every Saturday, and I for one can't wait to see how it all unfolds.