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Bearcats Beeline for Boulder in Matchup with Buffaloes

Buffaloes | Wide Receiver Drelon Miller — © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

An enormous Big 12 Conference contest takes place in the heart of the Rocky Mountains when the Cincinnati Bearcats (5-2, 3-1) visit the Colorado Buffaloes (5-2, 3-1) on Oct. 26 with kickoff slated for 10:15 p.m. EST in Boulder, Colo. With major implications on the line in a wide-open Big 12 race, this showdown may provide a premium amount of entertainment.

Series History

Cincinnati joined the revamped Big 12 in 2023, ending the season with a disappointing 3-9 record under head coach Scott Satterfield. In contrast, Colorado's hype train was in full swing last fall as head coach Deion Sanders led the Buffaloes to a thrilling 3-0 start, only to see the team falter, losing 8 of their final 9 games.

Historically, the two programs have faced each other only once, with Colorado dominating the sole matchup, defeating Cincinnati 56-14 in Boulder back in 1972.

Buffaloes Stampede

Time and time again, Colorado tormented Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita with a ferocious pass rush that couldn't be stopped. For a team that struggled to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks in 2023, it’s time to give credit where it’s due. By the time the final whistle blew in CU's dominant 34-7 win over Arizona, the Buffs had recorded 7 sacks, bringing their total to at least 16 over the last three games combined. While much of the focus has been on Colorado's offense and its array of playmakers, it’s time to start paying attention to the defense. Not only is it significantly improved from 2023, CU should be in the conversation for having one of the top defenses in the Big 12.

Healing Hunter

Similar to last season, defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter is once again dealing with the injury bug. Unlike in 2023, he hasn't missed any significant time. He has been dealing with a banged-up shoulder. Sanders and Hunter have both indicated that he is nearing 100 percent health.

This is a promising sign for Colorado’s chances of winning on Oct. 26, which is music to the ears of Buffaloes fans nationwide. He didn’t play much against Arizona on Oct. 19, and with his Heisman campaign officially on life support, it will be vital for Hunter to play all four quarters on both sides of the ball to help Colorado secure a victory.

Putting Out the Fire

There is no doubt that Cincinnati will have its hands full on defense against a potent Colorado offensive unit. Despite occasionally struggling to defend against the run this season, the Bearcats have bent but not broken when called upon. In fact, Cincinnati boasts the 17th-rated scoring defense in the nation and has demonstrated the ability to create key takeaways.

Clearly, this test will be the toughest Cincinnati has faced all season. However, it has the opportunity to prove to the rest of the conference and the country that it is the real deal. The Bearcats can make a statement against arguably the most explosive aerial attack in college football.

Keep an eye on safety Antwan Peek Jr., who is the top-ranked safety in the country, according to PFF. Additionally, the Bearcats may be able to wreak some havoc with their pass rush as they currently rank third in the Big 12 in sacks with a total of 17.

Final Thoughts

Entering the 2024 season, many experts and analysts predicted that both Cincinnati and Colorado would finish near the bottom of the Big 12 standings. Fast forward to just a few months later. Each squad has positioned itself well to compete for a chance at a conference championship now. While this matchup may not have the pizzazz of other games across the country in Week 9, few matchups will be as crucial.

Craziness almost always ensues under the lights of Folsom Field in these late-night showdowns. Expect some wild theatrics to show its face in this one.