This is the second post in a 12-post series that gives a preseason analysis of what to expect from all 12 of the Bearcats' upcoming opponents this college football season. We last looked at the Bearcats' week 1 matchup against Boston College. The Bearcats take on the Western Carolina Catamounts on September 12th at 7:00 p.m. at Nippert Stadium.
After taking on Boston College in week one, the Bearcats stay in Cincinnati and host this Southern Conference opponent. Western Carolina went 7-5 last season with a 6-2 conference play record, finishing 2nd behind the Mercer Bears, who went 8-0 in conference play. Western Carolina narrowly lost to Mercer late in the regular season 49-47. Quarterback Taron Dickens passed for 551 yards. The Catamounts had 5 receivers above 65 receiving yards.
Western Carolina lost a lot to the transfer portal, including Dickens, their quarterback, who is now at Northern Illinois. 20 players in total from the 2025 roster entered the transfer portal, but the Catamounts brought in 16 from the portal and another 16 players from high school.
Western Carolina's transfer class is highlighted by Lex Thomas, a former 3-star prospect and member of the class of 2023 who transferred in from NC State. They also add former 3-star safety Ja'Torian Mack from Appalachian State, Alex Hartman, another former 3-star from Coastal Carolina, and former 3-star running back JT Bronaugh from Eastern Michigan.
The Catamounts are currently projected to finish fourth in the SoCon, receiving 58 points in the preseason coaches' poll. Mercer, Tennessee Tech, and ETSU are the teams projected to finish ahead of them.
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