Preview: Cincinnati at Kansas

Big 12 play kicks off for the Cincinnati Bearcats this Saturday, and there's no easing into conference action. The Bearcats (2–1) head to Lawrence to take on the high-flying Kansas Jayhawks (3–1) in a noon ET clash at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. The game will be broadcast on TNT, with simulcasts on truTV and streaming via HBO Max.

Cincinnati enters its first Big 12 road game of the season following a much-needed bye week, while Kansas is coming off a dominating 41-10 win over West Virginia. For head coach Scott Satterfield, the matchup offers both a challenge and a critical opportunity.

“This is a huge week for us,” Satterfield said Tuesday. “Starting Big 12 play against a really good opponent in Kansas on the road. It's difficult to win on the road in the Big 12, but I think Kansas has done a great job since Coach Leipold has been there. You watch the film, and they're good in all three phases.”

Kansas is led by veteran quarterback Jalon Daniels, who has 12 touchdown passes on the year and the full command of a Jayhawks offense that blends speed, experience, and physicality.

(Photo: Kansas Athletics) 

Daniels was recently named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy and was also named to the Walter Camp Award Preseason Watch List and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Watch List entering the 2025 season. Stopping Daniels will be job one for the Bearcats’ defense.

“He’s a great quarterback. He can do a lot of things when stuff goes wrong,” said linebacker Jonathan Thompson. “He can expand plays, he can affect the game differently than most quarterbacks because he can use his legs. We’re going to draw up some schemes to get him off the spot.”

Daniels isn't just dangerous when the pocket is clean — he thrives in chaos. That puts added pressure on Cincinnati’s linebackers and secondary to play with discipline, especially against a Kansas rushing attack that thrives on deception and explosiveness.

Running back Leshon Williams also presents challenges, rushing for 129 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries last week against the Mountaineers.

“You have to look at your keys,” Satterfield emphasized. “You can't have your eyes looking somewhere else, because then all of a sudden, your guy is going to beat you. Tackling is going to be a big emphasis for us.”

Discipline and fundamentals have been a recurring theme for the Bearcats as they prepare for Saturday. Satterfield and his staff spent the bye week evaluating their first three games, focusing on areas for improvement — notably creating turnovers and improving offensive consistency.

“We’ve been solid, but we also know that the real season starts now,” Satterfield said. “Everybody’s good, everybody’s coached well. There’s going to be a lot of tight games, and you have to win the hidden yardage battle, the turnover battle, and the kicking game.”

At the center of Cincinnati’s offensive turnaround from week one to now, has been redshirt junior quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who’s coming off a perfect 15-for-15 performance against Northwestern State. While the step up in competition is significant, Sorsby sees the matchup with Kansas as a moment to embrace, not fear.

“I’m excited for the challenge. They’re a really good team,” Sorsby said. “You have to come out and be ready to execute. Or else, you will either get beat pretty badly, or you just will lose a close one.”

Sorsby’s mobility may also play a pivotal role, especially with Kansas currently ranking near the top of the Big 12 in sacks.

“It’s on me, not just our offensive line to avoid those sacks,” Sorsby said. “Getting out of the pocket, not just sitting back there, holding the ball. I trust our guys up front.”

That trust is well-earned. Through three games, Cincinnati has yet to allow a sack — a rare feat in today’s college football. Offensive lineman Taran Tyo is ready for the Jayhawks’ defensive front, which brings twitch, technique, and depth.

“Not a lot of teams have not allowed a sack yet so far this season. It's a great challenge for us to go up against a great D-Line,” Tyo said. “They're very twitchy. They have great hands.”

Expect Cincinnati to look for balance offensively, relying on its physical run game to open up play-action opportunities. But whether through the air or on the ground, Sorsby knows it will take points — a lot of them — to keep pace.

“We have to go in there, attack, and put a lot of points up, or else we won't win this game,” Sorsby added. “Regardless of who we’re playing.”

While Sorsby prepares for pressure, Cincinnati’s defense is bracing for one of the most versatile signal-callers in the country. Daniels, along with a stable of speedy running backs, will test Cincinnati’s eye discipline and tackling ability at every level of the field.

“Most of the explosive plays are often missed tackles,” Thompson noted. “We have to make those one-on-ones. We have to be in the right spots for everybody to do their job at a high level.”

The Bearcats are well aware that if they can’t stop the run, Daniels and the Kansas offense will pick them apart with play-action passes and misdirection — a formula that’s powered the Jayhawks to three wins already this season.

Through four games, Kansas' offense is averaging 37.3 points, 222.8 passing yards, and 191.3 rushing yards per game.

“If they're able to get that running game going, then they're just hard to stop,” Satterfield said. “Just as soon as you commit and stop the run, they're going to get somebody free in the passing game, and now [Daniels] has easy throws."

Setting the Stage in the Big 12

As Cincinnati steps into conference play, the Big 12’s unpredictability looms large. Upsets have already rocked the standings, and parity appears to be the name of the game.

“It just proves what everybody’s been saying — anything can happen any given week,” Sorsby said. “You have to be ready to execute, or you will get beat.”

Satterfield echoed that message, pointing to Kansas’ near-miss against Missouri and their impressive win at West Virginia.

“You look at Baylor, a really good football team — what’s their record, 2–2? It could easily be 4–0,” Satterfield said. “There’s going to be a lot of tight games. You have to hit your plays, and limit theirs. Who goes the best will end up winning.”

• Venue: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium (Lawrence, KS)

• Time: Noon ET / 11 a.m. CT

• TV: TNT (simulcast on truTV, streaming on HBO Max)

The most important part of Cincinnati's season officially begins Saturday as the Bearcats start their journey to achieving their goal of reaching Dallas for the Big 12 Championship.

Kansas brings explosiveness, experience, and a dangerous quarterback in Jalon Daniels, but the Bearcats feel they’re ready for the moment.

“We’re fired up because it’s conference play from here on out,” said Thompson. “We’re ready to go.”

Saturday's matchup undoubtedly has its' challenges for a program that has failed to win these types of games under Scott Satterfield but the third-year head coach is more equipped now, to not just compete, but also win consistently within the conference.