Cincinnati may have taken a hard hit on the scoreboard against No. 3 Utah, but the Bearcats are getting some encouraging news in the trenches.
Scott Satterfield said he’s optimistic that nose tackle Josh Hough and center Taran Tyo could be back in the mix this week as Cincinnati prepares for Houston. Both players were out there during a walkthrough, and Satterfield said the staff will get a clearer picture after the next couple of practices.
“I think optimistic that they’ll be ready to go this week,” Satterfield said about the two big fellas. “I think Hough was out there yesterday, and Taron was as well.
But it was a walkthrough. So we’ll see how things go today and tomorrow, and have a better idea about it Wednesday after practice.”
That would be a welcome boost for a Bearcats team that is trying to steady itself after the 49-25 loss to Utah. Backup center Grant Edgington handled the job well enough in relief, posting a 67.9 Pro Football Focus grade against Utah, which ranked fourth on the offense. Still, Cincinnati would clearly prefer to have a steady presence like Tyo back in the middle.
At 5-3, Cincinnati’s path is narrow now. The Bearcats’ only realistic season goal left is reaching bowl eligibility.
A shot at the College Football Playoff is gone, and to have any chance at the Big 12 title, they would need to win the conference. ESPN’s FPI gives them a 0% chance to do that.
Saturday’s matchup with No. 17 Houston carries real spoiler potential. A Cincinnati win would not only count as the Bearcats’ second victory over a ranked opponent this season, it would also effectively knock the Cougars out of the Big 12 title race.
Satterfield said he isn’t interested in dragging old November baggage into this stretch run, even with three road games in the final four contests.
“No, I mean, I think every year is different,” Satterfield said about prior November issues creeping into this season's tough finishing stretch with three road games in the final four contests. “It’s a completely different team.
We got half the guys renewed this year, so not looking at the exterior things and just focusing on Houston, I think is the thing that we have to do. “And then you got to go out and play.
Last year we played a lot of really good teams in November. I mean, this year you got two ranked teams, I know in November.”
For Cincinnati, the next step is simple: get healthy, reset, and try to put itself in position for a much-needed win.
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Bearcats Win Exposed One Early Issue Fans Cant Ignore
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The second half was where the difference showed up most clearly, with Cincinnati winning the rebounding battle by a wide margin and turning that edge into a comfortable finish. Tejada led the way with 13 points and five rebounds, while MJ Collins provided a major lift after halftime as the Bearcats pulled away. For a team that has plenty to like about the final score, the early injury and the uneven start were a reminder that not everything came easy. [Read more 🡒]
Bearcats Exposed A Brutal Problem Against Utah But Showed Some Fight
Halloween at Nippert Stadium turned into a harsh reminder of how quickly a game can get away from Cincinnati against elite competition. The Bearcats fell 49-25 to No. 6 Utah after the Utes seized control early, punishing mistakes and turning the night into a long chase for the home team.
Even so, Cincinnati did not fold. Cole Tabb gave the offense a needed spark on the ground, and Jacob Finley provided one of the loudest moments of the night with a pick-six that helped the Bearcats edge Utah in the second half. The bigger issue was still impossible to miss, though, as red zone trips and turnovers kept undercutting any chance to make the scoreline more respectable. [Read more 🡒]
Cincinnatis November Slide Is Turning Up The Pressure On Scott Satterfield
November has not been kind to Cincinnati under Scott Satterfield, and the Bearcats are again heading into the stretch run with plenty to prove. The Big 12 picture is tightening around them, with Utah surging and the leagues upper tier starting to separate itself, while Cincinnati has to regroup after a rough showing that left more questions than answers about where this season is headed.
The schedule does not offer much breathing room, either, with Iowa State, Colorado, Houston and BYU still waiting ahead. For a team trying to steady itself in conference play, the pressure is no longer just about salvaging a month, but about showing the program can handle the kind of late-season grind that has too often exposed its flaws. [Read more 🡒]