- Head Coach: Scott Satterfield (Third season)
- 2024 Record: 5-7
- Strength of Schedule: 57th
- PFF Projected Win Total: 5.7
- FanDuel Win Total: 6.5
2024 Recap
While Scott Satterfield improved during his second season as Cincinnati’s head coach, the Bearcats still missed a bowl game with a 5-7 record. Satterfield is now 8-16 through two years, Cincinnati’s worst two-season stretch since 2016-17. He’ll likely need to lead the Bearcats to at least a bowl game in 2025 to remain as the team's head coach.
The hope is that a stout run defense and a new star running back can help take the team there. The Bearcats will need to find some viable wideouts for Brendan Sorsby to throw to, as well as improve a pass-rush unit that was just 109th in PFF grade last year.
Biggest Strength: Run defense
Cincinnati boasts a stud run defender at every level of its defense. Dontay Corleone’s 91.6 PFF run-defense grade since 2022 trails only Mason Graham among FBS defensive tackles. Jake Golday ranked fourth among Big 12 linebackers with an 80.7 PFF run-defense grade last year, and Antwan Peek Jr. placed third among Power Four safeties with a 90.5 mark.
Biggest Weakness: Receiving corps
Outside of a solid tight end in Joe Royer, there’s not much to get excited about with the Bearcats’ pass catchers. Cincinnati doesn’t return a single wide receiver who logged even 25 receiving yards last season. The program's projected starting three receivers are all transfers — Jeff Caldwell, Caleb Goodie and Cyrus Allen — and are likely best suited as complementary options.
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