The Cincinnati Bearcats begin Big 12 play in week four of the upcoming season, traveling to Lawrence, Kansas, on September 27th to take on the Jayhawks.
The Bearcats had a conference record of 3-6 last season, while the Jayhawks went 4-5. Both teams finished 5-7 after a somewhat promising start to the season.
The Jayhawks, in a similar situation to the Bearcats, have several key contributors from last season coming back, while also getting some help in the transfers portal.
Jalon Daniels, the hyper-athletic quarterback for the Jayhawks, is coming back for his Senior season after a promising Junior campaign. Daniels passed for 2,454 yards and 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, his decision-making still needing some improvement. Daniels added 447 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground, being one of the best improvisers in the Big 12.
The Jayhawks' leading rusher, Devin Neal, got drafted by the Saints in the sixth round after running for 1,266 yards this past season. Luke Grimm, the leading receiver, was picked up by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent after he caught 51 balls for 690 yards this past season. The leading tackler on the defense, JB Brown, was also picked up as an undrafted free agent, going to the Broncos. The Jayhawks' secondary also takes a big hit with the top two cornerbacks, Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson going to the Falcons and Raiders.
Their roster takes more hits than the Bearcats but they make up for it in the transfer portal having the 7th best class in the Big 12, having 27 total commits.
Some notable names in their class would be Syeed Gibbs, the younger brother of NFL star Jahmyr Gibbs, Emmanuel Henderson Jr., a former 4-star recruit from Alabama, and Bangally Kamara, a talented linebacker from South Carolina.
This will be the Jayhawks' second Big 12 game as they host West Virginia the week before. Win or lose, this gives them an upper hand that the Bearcats will have to try and overcome. The Bearcats have a good opportunity to go on the road and start conference play with a win.