2025 College Football Big 12 Team Previews: Cincinnati Bearcats

Team: Cincinnati
Mascot: Bearcats
Student Population: 53,235
Established: 1819
Motto: Strength in Unity
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Head Coach: Scott Satterfield
Offensive Coordinator: Brad Glenn
Defensive Coordinator: Tyson Veidt
2024 Record: 5-7

Rankings

SP+: 66
FPI: 53
Kelly Ford: 58

Power Rankings

CBS Sports: 11

The Bearcats have a rising star in quarterback Brendan Sorsby, a nationally-competitive defensive lineman in Dontay Corleone and a few intriguing pieces coming down the pike. However, mistakes have just cost Cincinnati significantly under coach Scott Satterfield, especially during a miserable loss to Pittsburgh. If they can’t clean things up, Cincy will again be barely fighting for bowl eligibility. (+4000)

SB Nation: 9

Once we get to this point, the projections get hazy. The Bearcats are interesting because I have less questions about their roster and more about their coaching. Retaining the services of DT Dontay Corleone and TE Joe Royer. QB Brendan Sorsby isn’t spectacular, but he’s got experience. They added major additions to the offense along the line and at receiver (Lindenwood’s Jeff Caldwell is really interesting, could be a serious impact player for them). Losing Corey Kiner stinks, but they added some help at the RB spot too.

The biggest question is in the coaching staff. Can Scott Satterfield be the one to get this team back to bowling? They’ve won eight games in two years, and this year could be the make or break one for Satterfield. Can he get it done?

24/7 Sports: 5

Cincinnati got a late portal pickup in former South Dakota tackle Joe Cotton to help boost an offensive line that needs help protecting quarterback Brendan Sorsby in 2025. Stud defensive tackle Dontay Corleone is a force inside. It is a make or break campaign for third-year head coach Scott Satterfield, who has missed out on a bowl game in four of the past five years dating back to his time at Louisville.

Transfer Class Rankings

24/7 Sports: National Rank 50 | Big 12 Rank 10 (16 players)
Rivals: National Rank 31 | Big 12 Rank 9 (19 players)

Miscellaneous

Bovada Win Totals: 6.5

Athlon Big 12 Predictions: 12

The Bearcats showed small signs of progress in coach Scott Satterfield’s second season. After going 3-9 in 2023, Cincinnati just missed a bowl with a 5-7 record. The pressure is building on Satterfield, but the schedule features enough favorable games to push for a postseason trip in ‘25.

Quarterback Brendan Sorsby is a big reason why the Bearcats can exceed last year’s win total. In his first season at Cincinnati, Sorsby threw for 2,813 yards and 18 touchdowns to only seven picks and ranked third in the conference in completion rate (64 percent). Sorsby’s experience and play is critical to bridge the gap to a revamped supporting cast from the portal. Tawee Walker (Wisconsin) and Evan Pryor will team up to replace Corey Kiner’s production on the ground. Tight end Joe Royer is one of the best in college football at his position, but the Bearcats lost their top four statistical receivers from ‘24. The offensive line returns only two starters, but transfers Joe Cotton (South Dakota) and Taran Tyo (Ball State) were key additions from the portal.

Cincinnati’s defense cut its points allowed in Big 12 play from 32.8 in 2023 to 25.7 last season under first-year coordinator Tyson Veidt. For this unit to take a step forward again, Veidt and Satterfield need key contributions from the portal to restock a secondary hit hard by departures. However, the outlook is brighter up front with lineman Dontay Corleone and linebacker Jake Goladay returning.