Cincinnati is already staring down a tricky opener, and Scott Satterfield knows exactly what kind of test awaits when the Bearcats face Boston College on September 5.
At Big 12 Football Media Days on Wednesday, Satterfield was asked about the week one matchup, and he pointed back to last season’s opener against Nebraska as the kind of atmosphere and uncertainty that can define a first game.
"Last year we played a talented Nebraska team in Arrowhead Stadium, which is probably the loudest stadium I've been in. It was packed, a great environment, and it came down to the last play. No different this year, I think anytime you start your first game against a team like Boston College, a team that's going to have a lot of great players, a good coaching staff, there's a lot of unknowns... there's a lot of little cat-and-mouse going on in the beginning of games."
Satterfield has handled Boston College before, going 2-1 against the Eagles during his time as Louisville’s head coach. This time, though, he’ll be lining up against Bill O’Brien, who has never coached against him.
For Satterfield, the message is simple: the Bearcats have to be sharp from the jump.
"The big thing for us is we have to be our best in the first game. And that's why this summer and August camp has to be intense.
You've got to be ready to go that first week; we certainly want to get out to a great game and unlike last year when we didn't win that first game, you want to come out and get that first win right off the bat... We'll have a great crowd, and that should be an advantage for us."
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