The Bearcats finally get the Big 12 stage to themselves on Saturday night, and they’ll do it under the lights at Nippert Stadium against Kansas State at 7 pm. ESPN2 will carry the game, while the radio call comes on WEBN and 700 WLW after the Reds, with Dan Hoard and Tony Pike on the microphone.
The staff split is clear: some see Cincinnati’s home-field edge and physical style carrying the night, while others lean toward the Wildcats because of Avery Johnson and the uncertainty around a UC offense that has still been uneven at times. The common thread is that nobody expects this one to come easy.
Chad Brendel is sticking with the Bearcats in a tight one, pointing to Cincinnati’s ability to wear teams down over 60 minutes. He also likes the setting, with Kansas State making its first road trip under new head coach Colin Klein in a rowdy “Nipp at Night” atmosphere. His pick: Cincinnati 28, Kansas State 24.
Keegan Nickoson sees it differently. To him, the game is close to a toss-up, but Kansas State’s veteran P4 quarterback gives the Wildcats the edge.
He also noted that both teams are outside the top 120 in strength of schedule through three games and both had trouble against G5 opponents last week. For Cincinnati to pull it out, he believes it would need two turnovers - and he doesn’t see that happening.
His call: Kansas State 27, Cincinnati 20.
Regan Yoakam expects Kansas State’s ground game to be a problem again, recalling the last meeting when then-sophomore Avery Johnson and the Wildcats rushed for nearly 300 yards. He thinks Cincinnati will need a fast start to keep Nippert loud, but he doesn’t think that happens. His score: Kansas State 34, Cincinnati 24.
Austin Bass also leans Wildcats, though he thinks the Bearcats will keep it close. He pointed to similar numbers against comparable schedules, but said he doesn’t fully trust Cincinnati to start strong after last week.
He expects Johnson to cause trouble on the ground and sees the UC offense having stretches where it can’t move the ball. His pick: Kansas State 30, Cincinnati 24.
Carey Hoffman is one of the voices backing Cincinnati. He expects Kansas State to land a couple of explosive plays, either for touchdowns or to set them up, as UC tries to contain Avery Johnson.
But he also believes Nate Woody’s defense will create a couple of turnovers, just as it held K-State to two offensive touchdowns a year ago. On the other side, he likes what he saw from JC French and Cole Tabb in last week’s second-half performance.
His pick: UC 31, K-State 24.
Brent Young framed the matchup as another chance for Cincinnati to show what it really is after last week’s comeback win. He pointed to the 28-7 first-half deficit and the 28-3 second-half response, then shifted to Saturday’s test against Kansas State and its “5 star do everything quarterback.”
He expects JC French’s response to adversity to continue, believes Cole Tabb should keep earning more touches, and said the defense still hasn’t opened up its blitz package. He also called the 6.5-point spread too unusual to ignore.
His pick: the Red and Black in a thriller.
Brett Stein rounded it out by saying Cincinnati has to move on from last week’s first half if it wants to start Big 12 play 1-0. He singled out Avery Johnson as a major running threat and said Kansas State has proven weapons at running back, receiver and tight end.
For him, the offensive line has to create manageable down-and-distance situations for JC French. He sees a close game, but gives a slight edge to the Bearcats because they’re at home against a first-year head coach making his first road trip.
His pick: Bearcats 23, Wildcats 20.
In Other News...
Cincinnati Faces An Early Big 12 Test Fans Can't Ignore
Saturdays Big 12 slate offers an early look at how the conference may begin sorting itself out, and Cincinnati is right in the middle of it. The Bearcats head into a road matchup with Kansas State as part of a packed day that also includes Baylor against Colorado and Texas Tech facing Sam Houston, with kickoff times and TV windows spread across the afternoon and evening.
For Cincinnati, the focus is not just on the opponent but on how the Bearcats stack up in a league that wastes no time testing newcomers and contenders alike. The rest of the schedule only adds to the backdrop, with several Big 12 and non-conference games on the board, along with betting lines that hint at where the sharpest questions are heading before the first whistle even sounds. [Read more 🡒]