In week 11 of the 2025-26 college football season, the Cincinnati Bearcats take on the BYU Cougars in a Big 12 conference game. The game will take place on November 22, at Nippert Stadium at no set time.
The Cougars lead the all-time series against the Bearcats 3-0, with their most recent win being in 2023 in Provo, Utah, 35-28. This is the second Big 12 matchup between the two schools since they joined the Big 12 in 2023 alongside Houston and UCF.
BYU went 11-2 overall last season and finished with a Big 12 record of 7-2, being caught in a 4-way tie for first. Iowa State and Arizona State played for the Big 12 title, which the Sun Devils won.
BYU was put in the Alamo Bowl against Colorado, who also finished tied for first in the Big 12. The Cougars would go on to win 36-14, leaving fans wondering if they should have had a shot at the Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff.
The Cougars return several solid contributors from last years roster, One of them being LJ Martin, a running back who totaled 723 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns last season despite missing three games. Martin will be the feature back in an offense who rely on the run more with Jack Retzlaf's departure.
Chase Roberts is also returning to BYU. The receiver caught 52 passes for 854 yards and 4 touchdowns last season and was the team's go-to guy in late-game situations.
On defense the Cougars return EDGE Jack Kelly, who had 50 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception last season.
The Cougars also bring back Raider Damuni, who totaled 16 tackles in 2 games last season before dealing with injuries.
In the Transfer Portal, the Cougars brought in the No.15 transfer class in the Big 12 behind the Bearcats by 5 spots.
The Cougars' transfer class is highlighted by Carsen Ryan who caught 10 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown last season. The tough end was mainly used as a blocker last year for the Utes, but can expand his receiving game in the right offense.
The cougars also bring in Andrew Gentry, a 6-foot-7, 330-pound offensive tackle. Gentry was a former 4-star recruit and hasn't seen much time on the field in his short career at Michigan but will likely flourish in his first year with starter-level snaps.
BYU also brings in Texas edge rusher Tausili Akana. At 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, the former 4-star recruit relies on his athleticism to get to the quarterback, but will need to put on more weight to make a greater impact in the run game and on third downs.
The Bearcats match up fine against the BYU Cougars, but no one knows how their season will play out with their star quarterback gone. Cincinnati could find themselves in a shootout, a defensive battle, or getting blown out by a Big 12 contending roster, too early to tell with how much this roster has changed.