The Bearcats’ undefeated campaign came to a close against an SEC opponent in each of the last two seasons. Following unbeaten regular seasons, Cincinnati lost to Georgia in the 2020 Peach Bowl and Alabama in the 2021 College Football Playoff.
Dating back to 1894, the Bearcats have played 46 games against six different SEC programs including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Tennessee before the upcoming season opener and first ever matchup at Arkansas.
Cincinnati Football: Series history versus current SEC opponents
Alabama Crimson Tide (0-6)
It was a disappointing 27-6 loss in the playoff semifinal last year but that marked the first matchup against Alabama since a blowout loss in 1990. The programs originally met in 1908 as the Crimson Tide won 16-0.
Florida Gators (0-2)
Prior to the playoff run last year, the best season in school history was 2010. The Bearcats’ only loss that year came against Florida in the 2010 Sugar Bowl. Cincinnati also took a trip to Gainesville and lost 48-17 in 1984.
4️⃣ MORE DAYS‼️
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) August 30, 2022
𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗢𝗙𝗙
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Georgia Bulldogs (0-1)
The Bearcats led by double digits and were seconds away from upsetting Georgia in the Peach Bowl before losing on a last-second field goal. Cincinnati took a 21-10 lead into the fourth quarter but allowed 14 straight points.
Kentucky Wildcats (8-19-2)
Even though it’s been 26 years since the two programs met on the field, there is a storied history between them. Cincinnati earned a 32-4 win over Kentucky in 1894 and won the most recent matchup 24-3 in 1996.
A day after looking into the regular season win totals for each #AAC team, we are ranking every team prior to the season opener this week. @GoBearcatsFB, Houston and #UCF remain favorites to compete for a conference title.https://t.co/xifJ4g2El3 pic.twitter.com/UMfJTQYUn1
— Cincy on the Prowl (@CincyOnTheProwl) August 29, 2022
Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-1)
Cincinnati hasn’t played Mississippi State since a 19-0 win in 1949 to avenge a loss from the year before. The Bulldogs came away with a 27-0 win at home in 1948 but the two teams haven’t faced off in 73 years.
Tennessee Volunteers (1-5)
Following a 35-0 victory in the first ever matchup versus the Volunteers in 1904, the Bearcats have lost five straight to the longtime SEC member. Tennessee protected its home field and blew past Cincinnati 45-23 in 2011.