Welcome to Week 1, the heavily ‘ballyhooed’ start to the BC’s college football season. The Eagles hit the road to the home of Skyline Chili (mid), sitting as underdogs at just above a touchdown. Cincinnati enters 2026 as a program headed in the right direction now in Year 4 of Scott Satterfield. The program has some notable changes coming in to the season, but is coming off a 7-6 record in which the team started out hot before a sharp late-year decline they’ll hope to have moved beyond.
Offense: Replacing Sorsby
Georgia Southern transfer JC French IV replaces the oft-discussed Brendan Sorsby. On top of that, the offense also moves to a co-offensive-coordinator structure, promoting its offensive line and quarterbacks coaches. French is a fifth-year senior who had 2,929 passing yards, 20 touchdown passes, eight interceptions, a 63.8 percent completion rate, 315 rushing yards, and six rushing touchdowns in 2025.
But Cincinnati’s most bankable advantage is its front five. In 2025, the Bearcats allowed only eight sacks all year, the second fewest in the FBS and first in conference. They also averaged 5.69 yards per rush, third nationally, despite fewer rush attempts than most of the country. They have three core returners from center on left. Evan Tengesdahl at guard has been spotted on preseason All-America lists and was PFF’s highest graded Big 12 interior lineman. Tackle Joe Cotton was second-team All Big 12 and new center Taran Tyo is a veteran who shifts from guard. That left side will be where Cincy will look to attack while the other side gets up to speed.
The running back room has to replace all three principal contributors, but with the line play they should still feel confident. Gi’Bran Payne and (other) Zion Johnson are the lead backs. Payne comes from Notre Dame and Johnson is looking to have a a larger role after 106 yards and a touchdown in four games as a true freshman.
Receiver is more up in the air with a number of transfers in the mix. Cincinnati lost its top five receivers and the incoming group has some production, but they’ll still need to come into form. Oklahoma transfer JV Gibson is a big-bodied target who was a favorite target of French’s during camp, Geo Kontosis and Isaiah Johnson were with the Bearcats last season but with little or no production. They are currently the projected starters, but Cade Wolford comes from Kent State as somewhat of an explosive-play candidate, while Larenzo Fenner from South Dakota and Malachi Henry from Central Arkansas both had 10+ touchdowns and about 1000 yards apiece at their programs.
Overall it should be good on offense if it keeps the formula simple, especially early in the season. They’ll dominate line play and utilize French’s solid arm and enough mobility to extend plays and push the ball downfield to these big-play receivers. He doesn’t seem super efficient, and the jury’s out on who will emerge as more of a possession receiver, so they’ll need the protection to continue to be closer to elite. BC has some unknowns at defensive line but O’Brien’s happy with the depth at the position, while the secondary has more depth and experience to contend here. Anthony Palano and KP Price are going to be key here blowing up protections and reading the run game.
Defense: Up the Aggression
Cincinnati’s defense has undergone even more changes somehow. After a season in which they allowed over 25 points and nearly 400 yards per game, among the worst in the conference, they replace 10 starters and their defensive coordinator. Opponents were able to run for 178 yards per game and completed passes at the best rate in the conference.
Nate Woody brings in a new system here from Army. They’re looking to be more aggressive, disruptive, and turnover oriented, but with so many new faces how quickly can it click? Army’s defenses were top 15 multiple times in his career. After recording just 10 takeaways (116th) and just 23 sacks, this new havoc will be highly welcome.
Woody’s defense will use hybrid athletes near the line, key for their best returning defender, Antwan Peek Jr. Peek moves from safety into an outside linebacker/hybrid role. After logging 59 tackles in 2025 and having previously been graded by PFF as the Big 12’s top safety, playing closer to the ball could amplify his ability to create negative plays. Jonathan Thompson is another key returner who had a team-high 8.5 tackles for loss and is on the Butkus Award Watch List. He’s copiloted by transfers Filip Maciorowski (Northern Illinois) and Damaine Wilson (Georgia State) among others.
Up front, Thomas Johnson (NC Central) will play on the edge after a 12 sack season alongside Marquaze Parker a returner who popped during their bowl game. Josh Hough (DII Cal PA) has high athletic upside in the middle but has some injury concerns.
The secondary only had two interceptions last season so we’re looking at an overhaul. Safety Jasper Beeler and corner Jacob Finley are likely starters coming in from Northern Illinois as well. The chemistry will be a big boon as will the production — Beeler had three interceptions on his own and Finley had a team-high 8 PBUs. MJ Cannon opposite Beeler was All-MAC at Bowling Green, and Kenny Worthy at corner was teammates with Palano at Washington State last season.
The Eagles have their own litany of changes on offense, but defenses tend to have the edge early in the season. That said, O’Brien’s teams have shown some offensive moxie to start both seasons, so this could be a prime opportunity to get the Eagle faithful back on board against a defense in transition. I don’t know about you, but I am ready to get hurt again.
P.S. One last note, Cincinnati’s punter Max Fletcher is one of the best in the business.
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