Scott Satterfield and the Cincinnati Bearcats (2-7, 0-6 Big 12) are still searching for that first Big 12 victory as they prepare for a matchup with old AAC foe the Houston Cougars (4-5, 2-4 Big 12). The Bearcats are coming off a heartbreaking 28-26 loss to Central Florida after a last second comeback was halted after a missed two point conversion in the final minute of regulation.
The Cougars on the other hand are coming off a 25-24 victory over Baylor where they indeed converted on the two-point conversion to seal the victory in the final seconds of that game that would break a two-game losing skid of their own. “We’re playing a good team this week in Houston,” Satterfield said. “They had a big win last week vs Baylor as they went for two in the final seconds and converted to win the game.”
They have a couple of dynamic receivers starting with Matthew Golden, who has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns this season.
However, it is homecoming for the Cougars so Dana Holgorsen and the Cougars will have a slight advantage over the Bearcats as they are currently 2.5 point favorites on FanDuel and DraftKings for those who gamble. For those who know, the last two road games for the Bearcats have been homecoming games between Oklahoma State and now Houston. However, don’t expect the Cougars to overlook the Bearcats, as the Cougars need to win two of their last three games to qualify for a bowl game this season.
Scott Satterfield and the Bearcats are no longer bowl eligible, but they expect to come out and give it their all vs the Cougars. Satterfield mentioned in his press conference this week that they were going to play the players who put the Bearcats in the best position to win. Now we saw Brady Lichtenberg play two series vs Central Florida last week, do we see more of him come Saturday?
“We will play some young guys, there’s no question to that,” Satterfield said. “We will do some of that, but at the same time, we are still trying to go out and win the game. We are going to put the guys out there who will help us win games and do as best of a job as possible in all three phases of the game.”
Worth noting the last time these two teams met was back in the 2021 AAC Championship Game where the Bearcats defeated the Cougars 35-20 to secure their berth in the College Football Playoff.
Players to watch for Houston
“They certainly have some talented players,” said Satterfield. “I think their quarterback Donovon Smith is a great player, with great size, I didn’t realize how big he was until watching the film. He can really run and throw as well.”
Smith a 6’5″, 240-pound quarterback has completed nearly 66% of his passes on the season as he has thrown for 2,303 yards, 18 touchdowns and 7 interceptions on the season. However, Smith has a load of weapons around him on the offensive side of the ball.
Smith is also second on the team in rushing as he has recorded 392 yards and five touchdowns on 98 carries. A guy with his size at that quarterback position is incredibly hard to tackle, the Bearcats are prepared after playing one of the best dual threats in the country last week in John Rhys Plumlee from Central Florida.
