I’m optimistic. Going into the second season of being in the Big 12 and with Scott Satterfield as the head coach, the Bearcats are looking to get back into College Football relevancy. The deeper and better roster both offer hope for a much-needed bounce-back season.
My optimism is justified with a favorable schedule for the Bearcats. The first four games, with only one on the road, are in-state. Plus, the Bearcats avoid four of the top five teams in the Big 12’s Preseason Media Poll.
The following is my game-by-game and record prediction for the 2024 Cincinnati Bearcats.
Week 1: vs. Towson – Sat., August 31st at 2:30 p.m. on Big 12 Now on ESPN+
I’m not going to treat this game as a lay-up, but it can be viewed as such. The Bearcats should win this game comfortably. Towson plays in the FCS, is coming off a losing season and hasn’t made the FCS Playoffs in eight of the last nine seasons (they didn’t play in 2020 due to COVID-19). Just like they did last year against Eastern Kentucky, the Bearcats should win this game comfortably.
Game Pick: Bearcats 52-Towson 7 (Record: 1-0)
Week 2: vs. Pittsburgh – Sat., September 7th at noon on ESPN/ESPN2
A much tougher game this will be. Or will it? I think a lot of Bearcats fans, myself included, thought that last year. The Bearcats ultimately went into Pittsburgh and ran the ball straight down the Panthers throats in a 27-21 win.
This season, the Bearcats get Pitt at home in what should be an electric environment at Nippert Stadium. Pitt is coming off a 3-9 season in 2023, including seven losses by double digit points. College Football HQ on Sports Illustrated has Pitt ranked 15th out of 17 in the ACC going into this season. In what could be a hard-fought battle between two teams that finished 3-9 in 2023, I think the Bearcats will feed off the home crowd at Nippert Stadium to win a close game.
Game Pick: Bearcats 24-Pitt 21 (Record: 2-0)
Week 3: @ Miami (Ohio) – Sat., September 14th at noon on ESPNU
This is a very important game, one that could define the season. Don’t believe me? Just look at what happened last year against Miami (Ohio). The RedHawks beat the Bearcats at Nippert Stadium and snapped Cincinnati’s 16-game winning streak in the Battle for the Victory Bell. The Bearcats 2023 Season, their first in the Big 12, was never the same after that game.
Miami, to their credit, won the MAC Championship in 2023 and finished 11-3. But getting revenge on the RedHawks in Oxford is a must this season for the Bearcats. The Bearcats are in the Big 12. Miami is in the MAC. The Victory Bell belongs in Clifton.
Game Pick: Bearcats 30-Miami (Ohio) 24 (Record: 3-0)
