2024 Season Preview – Cincinnati Bearcats
2023 Record – 3-9; 1-8 Big 12
2024 Schedule
- 8/31 – VS Towson
- 9/7 – VS Pittsburgh
- 9/14 – at Miami (OH)
- 9/21 – VS Houston
- 9/28 – at Texas Tech
- 10/12 – at UCF
- 10/19 – VS Arizona State
- 10/26 – at Colorado
- 11/9 – VS West Virginia
- 11/16 – at Iowa State
- 11/23 – at Kansas State
- 11/30 – VS TCU
2023 Recap
Cincinnati started the season with an easy win over Eastern Kentucky from the FCS and a win at Pittsburgh to start the season 2-0. In week three, however, the Bearcats suffered an embarrassing overtime loss at home to Miami (OH). This would start a large losing streak that would continue into conference play.
The Bearcats were competitive in the majority of conference games but could never seem to get over the hump. They started conference play with six straight losses, but three of them were by less than ten points. This included a three-point loss to Baylor and a two point loss to UCF.
Cincinnati finally picked up their first conference week of the season on the road at Houston to avoid being winless. They would finish the season with two blowout losses at West Virginia and at home to Kansas.
Cincinnati finished 2023 with a 3-9 record; 1-8 in the Big 12.
2024 Preview
The strength of the Cincinnati offense in 2024 will be the running game. Running back Corey Kiner returns after running for over 1,000 yards in 2023. On top of that, all five offensive linemen will be back to give him a solid group to run behind.
Quarterback will be the big question for the Bearcats. The expected starter for 2024 is Indiana transfer Brendan Sorsby. He will have a strong target to throw to as leading receiver Xzavier Henderson also returns. If Sorsby can find a spark the Cincinnati offense could take a step in a positive direction.
No matter how good the returning offense is in 2024, Cincinnati will have to get much better defensively if it wants to start competing in the Big 12. In 2023, the Bearcats gave up 30 points and over 400 yards per game. Of this group, only four starters are returning. The question is how will the defensive transfers step in?
It starts with a new defensive coordinator in Tyson Veidt. The keys will be Mikah Coleman from Eastern Michigan and Jared Bartlett from West Virgina. The biggest question might be whether Dontay Corleone is able to return after being diagnosed with blood clots in the offseason.
2024 Prediction
Cincinnati is entering year two in the Big 12, though it looks a lot different this year with all the realignment. Luckily, the first part of the schedule looks very friendly for the Bearcats.
The season starts with a game against Towson of the FCS and a matchup at home against a Pitt team they won on the road in 2023. The most interesting non-conference game will be a Week 3 matchup at Miami (OH). Miami should be at the top of the MAC again this year, but Cincinnati will be looking at revenge after their loss last season.
Starting the conference portion of the schedule against Houston is beneficial as well. In fact, most of the front half of the schedule is manageable. This includes games against newcomers Arizona State and Colorado. The first five games of the conference schedule will make or break the Bearcats season.
This is because the last four games of the season are loaded. This includes games against an upcoming West Virginia team plus three teams that could all be competing for a Big 12 championship appearance in Iowa State, Kansas State, and TCU.
At the end of the day, Cincinnati will have a better season in 2024. It just won’t quite be a enough to make it to a bowl game this year.
Prediction – 5-7