Cincy on the Prowl
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Cincinnati Football’s Seven Most Important Games of 2016

By Bearcat Jones

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Oct 16, 2015; Provo, UT, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Hayden Moore (8) is tackled by Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Harvey Langi (21) in the fourth quarter at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2015; Provo, UT, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Hayden Moore (8) is tackled by Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Harvey Langi (21) in the fourth quarter at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
  1. BYU (Nov. 5 – Week 10)

Not a conference game, but this game is big for national perception.  UC hasn’t won enough of these games.  The only two really big wins the program has are Virginia Tech in 2012 and Miami (FL) last season.  Yes, the Bearcats have beaten the likes of NC State, Duke, Vanderbilt, Purdue, Illinois, Marshall, etc., but Cincinnati hasn’t won against truly marquee teams.  The losses keep piling up against college football’s power programs.  Tennessee, North Carolina, two to Oklahoma, three to Virginia Tech in four tries, and two Ohio State.

BYU may not quite be as big of a national brand as those schools but many prognosticators of Big 12 expansion say that BYU has a Power Five level football program.  They can compete nationally, and beating them would be a big win – especially on this year’s schedule.  The game against BYU is definitely the biggest non-conference game of this season.  While it may not decide the conference title, a win would help establish UC on the national stage again.  The ‘Cats had BYU on the ropes last year, but unraveled in the fourth quarter at 4,630 feet above sea level.  This year’s rematch is at home in Nippert, of course, and it’s a game the Bearcats need to win.

Next: #5 Most Important Game