Week 4: vs. Oklahoma (noon on FOX) – When the Big 12 schedule was released back on January 31st, Bearcats fans instantly circled this game on their calendars. And this past week, it was announced this game would be on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff game. Needless to say, this game will be fun.
Oklahoma went through a head coaching change last season, and it showed. After a promising 3-0 start under first-year head coach Brent Venables, the Sooners plummeted to a 3-6 finish and a loss to Florida State in the Cheez-It Bowl. Two of those losses included a 55-24 drubbing at TCU and an embarrassing goose egg 49-0 against Texas.
Oklahoma brings in a Top 10 recruiting class and returns a veteran quarterback in Dillon Gabriel, who Bearcats fans know well from his days with UCF.
Oklahoma may have the history on their side, but the Bearcats have the present. I can assure you Nippert Stadium will be alive for this game. It’s their first Big 12 conference game, and they have pulled many upsets in Nippert in years past. I think another one is coming in this game.
Game pick: Bearcats 31 Sooners 28 (Record: 3-1)
Week 5: Bearcats @ BYU (10:15 p.m. on ESPN) – Sometimes the toughest thing to do is follow up a signature win, especially travelling two times zones on a short week. That’s what the Bearcats will do regardless of the outcome against Oklahoma, let alone beating them.
BYU is new to the Big 12, but they have a veteran roaming the sidelines. Head coach Kilani Sitake is tied for the second-longest tenure as a head coach in the Big 12 with Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, behind Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy.
Like the Bearcats, BYU has enjoyed a lot of success over the last two decades. They will also have a new quarterback leading the offense in Kedon Slovis, who transferred over from Pittsburgh. The Cougars are battle-tested and ready for the Big 12, given their independent schedule for the last 12 seasons. I expect the Bearcats to struggle in this game. Not just because BYU could be more aggressive on defense this year, according to an opposing Big 12 assistant coach quoted in Athlon Sports’s college football preview issue, but because it is tough to play in those elements on a short week. But hey, 3-2 at the bye would be great for the Bearcats.
Game pick: BYU 34 Bearcats 20 (Record: 3-2)
Week 6: BYE
