Utah's No. 6 Ranking Faces Cincinnati Test as Bearcats Ride Momentum
The Utes travel to Nippert Stadium on Saturday for only the second meeting between the programs, with Cincinnati seeking a second straight win over a ranked opponent.
By Camila Herrera ·
Utah enters Saturday's game at Cincinnati with a 7-0 record and the No. 6 ranking, but the Utes face a Cincinnati team fresh off knocking out then-No. 8 Texas Tech. The game is set for 1:45 p.m. MDT at Nippert Stadium, with kickoff broadcast on ESPN and livestreamed through the ESPN app for participating TV providers.
The matchup puts the only unbeaten Big 12 team against a Cincinnati squad that started 4-0, dropped two straight at Arizona and West Virginia, then beat Texas Tech. Cincinnati produced 255 rushing yards against the Red Raiders defense while holding Texas Tech to 172 passing yards, and the Bearcats scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter. Running back Cole Tabb comes off a 173-yard rushing game.
For Utah, quarterback Devon Dampier's ball security is the central question. He threw two interceptions against Houston on Oct. 24 while also rushing for 150 yards and two touchdowns, his highest rushing total since joining the Utes. Against Colorado on Oct. 17, he posted minus-eight rushing yards. Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield said of Utah's quarterback, "The quarterback is outstanding, the other quarterback they play as well is really, really good. The running back is a great player, he's strong, powerful, very fast .. (Utah) is a solid team. I think certainly worthy of a top-10 ranking."
The series between the two schools has one prior game. In 2025, Brendan Sorsby led Cincinnati to a 45-14 win at Salt Lake City. Utah leads the series 1-0 in the source's record, and Saturday marks the second meeting.
Utah coach Morgan Scalley addressed the attention surrounding his team's ranking: "Pressure's a privilege. There's pressure because you're winning. We believe in what we do. We believe in the process and we got to keep it going though. Everyone's going to pat us on the backs now and tell us how awesome we are. Beware the soothing sounds of praise."
The Utes' defense will focus on Cincinnati's run game. Utah's schedule includes wins over Idaho 66-14, Arkansas 43-10, Utah State 33-0, Iowa State 31-17, Kansas 41-24, Colorado 27-24, and Houston 21-13. Utah's only opponent with a winning record entering the game was Houston, ranked No. 14 at the time.
Radio coverage is available on ESPN 700 AM, 92.1 FM and KZNS 1280. Saturday's Cincinnati forecast calls for temperatures in the high 60s through the game. After Saturday, Utah hosts BYU on Nov. 7 and Cincinnati plays at Houston.
Cincinnati's JC French IV will be under pressure if Utah's front can generate pass rush and create turnovers. The Bearcats defeated Texas Tech in their previous game at Nippert Stadium, the same venue Utah visits Saturday.
