Homecoming could be aerial display between UC Bearcats, Texas Tech

The 100th Homecoming game for Cincinnati Bearcats football represents a tremendous opportunity for UC to "get right" on familiar turf at Nippert Stadium.

Undefeated Texas Tech visits for the first time and comes in ranked No. 8 in the latest polls.

Most recent UC games against Top 10 teams include the 2021 win at No. 9 Notre Dame, 24-13 and the 2006 win at Nippert over No. 7 Rutgers, 30-11.

This surely would've been prime-time viewing had UC's quarterback from the last two years, Brendan Sorsby, been behind center for Texas Tech as planned last January. The energetic, competitive Sorsby would have played the wrestling "heel" role up, just as he did when he appeared courtside for Texas Tech's basketball game last February in Lubbock with UC.

Unfortunately, it was found that Sorsby had been involved in impermissible gambling, dating as far back as his Indiana days. After several legal maneuvers, it was determined Sorsby was ineligible, and the NFL elected not to have a supplemental draft for him. Sorsby has since been training in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, preparing for the 2027 NFL Draft.

Minus the fireworks of a "Sorsby Bowl," Texas Tech is still loaded and quarterback Will Hammond has them out to a 6-0 start. Hammond has thrown for 1,334 yards and six touchdowns with five interceptions. Occasionally the Red Raiders sub in Thomas Castellanos, the former Florida State quarterback who received a restraining order to play a fifth-year from the courts after being in rookie minicamps with the Dolphins and Titans.

UC's JC French IV has thrown for five more yards (1,339) than Hammond and three more touchdowns (nine) with no interceptions. Hammond's quarterback rating is better than French's at 70.6 to 62.3.

The Bearcats move to No. 11 in rushing at 231.2 per game, with Texas Tech No. 38 at 192.5. UC is No. 73 in passing in 228.9 with Texas Tech No. 74 at 226.3. The Red Raiders are fourth in rush defense, allowing just 82 yards per game, so the Bearcats may be flying "French Air" again Oct. 24.

"The offensive line has to have a great week," UC Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield said. "This is the best defensive line we've played."

Said UC quarterback JC French IV, "I think the balanced attack we've had the last couple of weeks is going to be key. It's going to be a game of inches."

French's 389 yards passing vs. WVU for three touchdowns was a career-best.

National recognition for UC punter Max Fletcher

Fletcher made the Ray Guy Award "Ray's 8" list for his game at West Virginia. In addition to a 66-yard boot that pinned West Virginia at the 1-yard line, he also had a 59-yard kick. The fifth-year Australian punter is averaging 46.3 yards per kick this season.

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Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders football history

Texas Tech leads 1-0-1. The teams have only played twice, with the first being a 10-10 tie in Lubbock.

In 2024, the Bearcats lost a 44-41 shootout despite Brendan Sorsby throwing for 426 yards and four touchdowns. UC lost Corey Kiner and had to rely on their passing game. Sorsby would later commit to Texas Tech in January, only to be found ineligible due to impermissible gambling, none of which was traced to UC.

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Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Texas Tech scouting report

Why Cincinnati Bearcats have an advantage: As the saying goes, "From adversity comes opportunity". The Bearcats face three consecutive ranked teams in No. 8 Texas Tech and No. 10 Utah at Nippert on back-to-back weekends, followed by a road game Nov. 7 at No. 14 Houston.

UC has dropped two games at hostile road venues and now has a chance to win back home fans at Nippert if they can pull the upset. And, though fans enjoy the "Nipp at Night" atmosphere, the Bearcats were 2-0 in their most recent "Nipp at Noon" games dating back to wins over Iowa State and UCF last season. This year's Victory Bell win over Miami (OH) was also at noon, but was played at TQL Stadium.

"Being able to play 'Nipp at noon' in front of that rowdy crowd, if you're a competitor, you want to play against the best," UC running back Cole Tabb said.

Plus, despite being 4-2, the Bearcats should play as if they have nothing to lose, as no oddsmaker will have them favored until November at best. Factor in UC hasn't won in November in two seasons and the best thing the Bearcats can do is disregard the outside noise and figure out a way to earn some respect.

Why Texas Tech has an advantage: UC primarily likes to run and the Red Raiders just held Arizona State to 35 yards in the ground in a game where they led 43-10 at halftime and won 53-25. J'Koby Williams ran for a season-high 165 yards last week, and catching passes are Pitt transfer Kenny Johnson, reliable Coy Eakin, and the top tight end in the league in Terrance Carter Jr.

Defensively, UC does not have a linebacker like Texas Tech's 6-foot-3, 245-pound Ben Roberts or a defensive lineman like 6-foot-3, 300-pound A.J. Holmes Jr. UC's Satterfield says Texas Tech's linebackers remind him of former Bearcat Jake Golday, now of the Minnesota Vikings.

"They can run, they can hit and they have a great knack for intercepting passes," Satterfield said.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Texas Tech injury report

The first weekly report will come out Wednesday night, Oct. 20. UC lost defensive lineman Josh Hough and running back Gi'Bran Payne early in the West Virginia game and safety MJ Cannon went out later.

Satterfield said in his Tuesday, Oct. 20 remarks he expects the guys that left the West Virginia game to return, but Hough would be "questionable" and is most likely to miss a week.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Texas Tech odds, moneyline

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sports Network)

• Moneyline: UC +340, Texas Tech -450
• Spread: -10.5 Texas Tech
• Over/under: 56.5

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Homecoming could be aerial display between UC Bearcats, Texas Tech

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