Cincinnati Bearcats Football
2025: Finding Their Footing
2025 Record: 6-6 (4-5 Big 12) | AP Ranking: Unranked | Bowl: Gasparilla Bowl vs. Florida State
The Fickell years feel like a long time ago. Cincinnati is still figuring out who they are in the Big 12. — Mike
They were playoff contenders three years ago. Now they’re fighting for bowl eligibility. That’s rough. — Jake
Quick Facts
| Location | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Stadium | Nippert Stadium (40,000) |
| Head Coach | Scott Satterfield (3rd season) |
| Colors | Red & Black |
| Mascot | The Bearcat |
| Conference Titles | 0 Big 12 (2 AAC) |
Traditions: Nippert Stadium is one of the oldest stadiums in college football, downtown Cincinnati location is unique, “Down the Drive” chant, and memories of the 2021 playoff run that feel increasingly distant.
Mike & Jake’s Take
🛋️ Mike’s Take (Oklahoma State Fan)
Cincinnati’s transition to the Big 12 has been harder than expected.
When they joined in 2023, the expectation was immediate contention. They’d just been to the playoff. Luke Fickell was a star coach. The program was on the rise.
Then Fickell left for Wisconsin, and everything changed.
Scott Satterfield inherited a roster in transition and hasn’t been able to stabilize it. The 2025 team is better than the 2024 team, but 6-6 is not where Cincinnati wants to be. They’re in the middle of the Big 12 pack, not at the top.
The quarterback situation never settled. Brendan Sorsby showed flashes but was inconsistent. The offensive line had issues. The defense was respectable but not dominant.
Nippert Stadium is still a great atmosphere. The fans are still engaged. But the product on the field needs to improve if Cincinnati is going to be a factor in the Big 12. Check our standings to see where they finished.
Confidence Level: Work in progress
🍺 Jake’s Take (Texas Tech Fan)
I feel for Cincinnati fans.
Three years ago, they were the feel-good story of college football. The little program that made the playoff. The proof that Group of Five teams could compete.
Now? 6-6 and fighting for bowl eligibility in a conference they were supposed to dominate.
The Big 12 is hard. It’s physical. Every week is a grind. Cincinnati hasn’t adjusted yet. They’re not getting pushed around, but they’re not imposing their will either.
The Tech game was close — we won 27-24. They hung around, made plays when they needed to, and almost stole one. That’s not nothing. But “almost” doesn’t win games.
Satterfield needs to show progress in Year 4 or the seat’s going to get warm. The 2021 magic is fading, and Cincinnati needs to find a new identity. New to the conference? Our New Fan’s Guide explains how we got here.
Confidence Level: Needs a breakthrough
2025 Betting Trends
| Stat | Record | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Against the Spread (ATS) | 5-7 | 41.7% |
| Over/Under | 6-6 | 50.0% |
| Home ATS | 3-3 | 50.0% |
| Road ATS | 2-4 | 33.3% |
| As Favorite ATS | 2-3 | 40.0% |
| As Underdog ATS | 3-4 | 42.9% |
Jake’s Betting Notes: Cincinnati was overvalued early in the season based on reputation. The market adjusted by October. They’re a fade on the road — 2-4 ATS.
Mike’s Betting Notes: Totals were a coin flip. No strong lean either way. Cincinnati games are unpredictable. More analysis in our Big 12 Betting Guide.
Key Players (2025)
Brendan Sorsby — QB
218-of-352 (61.9%) | 2,567 yards | 18 TD | 11 INT | 134.8 rating
The transfer showed potential but struggled with consistency. The interception total is concerning.
Corey Kiner — RB
189 carries | 987 yards | 5.2 YPC | 9 TD
The LSU transfer was the most reliable offensive player. Physical runner, good vision, consistent production.
Dontay Corleone — DL
48 tackles | 8.5 TFL | 5.5 sacks | 2 FF
The anchor of the defensive line. Corleone commands double teams and creates pressure.
Rivals & Key Matchups
UCF — AAC carryover rivalry. Both programs joined the Big 12 together and are adjusting together.
West Virginia — Geographic proximity creates natural tension. Games are competitive.
Miami (Ohio) (Non-conference) — The Victory Bell. In-state rivalry that matters more to Miami than Cincinnati.
More
- Big 12 Betting Guide — Everything you need before placing a bet on any conference game
- The Recliner vs The Barstool — How we rate games (and why we never agree)
- New Fan’s Guide to Big 12 Football — Just getting into the conference? Start here
- Current Standings | This Week’s Schedule
- Our Predictions Archive — Full transparency on every pick we’ve made