Preview: TCU at Cincinnati

Cincinnati (5-6, 3-5 Big 12) will conclude their regular season Saturday night when TCU (7-4, 5-3 Big 12) visits Nippert Stadium for a Nipp at Night.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with coverage and kickoff scheduled for 6:00 pm.

The Bearcats enter Saturday having lost four straight following last week's 41-15 loss to Kansas State. Corey Kiner was the lone bright spot in the loss, rushing for 140 yards on 15 carries. Kiner has now rushed for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons.

TCU enters the final game of the regular season on a much different trajectory. The Frogs have already clinched a bowl game and have won four of five games, including a 49-28 victory over Arizona on Senior Day in Fort Worth, Texas last weekend.

"We have a great opportunity this week, we are playing TCU, and they are a hot team right now," Satterfield told media earlier this week. " They are scoring a lot of points and have won four of their last five games. I believe every game this year they have scored at least 34 points except for the Utah and Houston game. They did not score very many points in those two games. They have a very talented bunch of guys."

TCU ranks second in the Big 12 in points per game (34.6), third in total yards per game (440.5), and first in passing yards per game (327). Sonny Dykes' offense is also second in the Big 12 in offensive efficiency (156).

TCU quarterback Josh Hoover ranks sixth nationally in passing yards (3,485) and is tied for 13th in touchdown passes (23). He tops the Big 12 and is fifth in the FBS with 51 completions of 20-plus yards. Hoover's 68.1 completion percentage is on pace to set a TCU season record, along with his passing yards.

(Photo: TCU Athletics)

“He's got a great arm. He's got extreme arm talent. I think the thing that makes him so dangerous is that the fact that he can throw it. He's very accurate. They have four or five guys that they can get the ball to," said Satterfield.

"TCU has got some guys out there. So, you really can't just say, ‘Oh, we're focused on this guy or this side’. You really got to just disperse your defense and just stay on top of all of them. He does such a great job of getting the ball out, and they keep the pressure on you horizontally and vertically. That's where the challenge is."

Wide receivers Jack Bech (59 receptions, 1,007 yards), Eric McCalister (28 receptions, 639 yards), JP Richardson ( 50 receptions, 630 yards) and Savion Williams (57 receptions, 596 yards) give the Horned Frogs four receivers with at least 500 yards receiving for the first time since 2015.

The 20.1 receptions per game by TCU wide receivers lead the nation for Power Four Conference programs and rank second in the FBS.

"Offensively, their wide receivers are outstanding. They have some studs... they can throw it all over the place. Kendal [Briles] is their offensive coordinator, so they are used to slinging it around and throwing the football. I think certainly in this game, we have to do a great job defensively of trying to contain that offense," said Satterfield.

Savion Williams presents a unique challenge for the Bearcats defensively as he lines up at both wide receiver and running back. 

At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds Williams possesses 22 mile per hour speed and has led TCU in rushing in four of the last five games, including a career-high 80 yards and two touchdowns in the 49-28 win over Arizona.

“He's the guy that you have to know where he is at all times. We're all blessed with some ability and talent, but usually we're not all blessed with that much ability and talent, to be that size and to be able to run like a small guy. I think what they're doing is smart on their part, trying to find ways to get him the ball, whether it be in the backfield, whether it be a wildcat or whether it be out there at wide receiver. He is one of their best players. We have to be aware of him at all times.”

TCU's defense is led by 6-foot-2 linebacker Johnny Hodges (78 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1 sack) as well as 6-foot-3 linebacker Namdi Obiazor.

Hodges sat out last season with an injury but was a Second Team All-Big 12 selection in 2022 after transferring to TCU from Navy. 

Obiazor led TCU in tackles last season and has continued to play well during his senior season with 71 tackles, 6.5 TFL, and 2.5 sacks. 

Tulane transfer linebacker Devean Deal leads the Frog defense in tackles-for-loss with 7.5.

The Frogs defense ranks 12th in Big 12 in rushing yards allowed per game (160 yards per game) but fourth in passing yards allowed (196).

"They're not too complicated of a defense but they definitely do their jobs and they do it well," quarterback Brendan Sorsby told media Tuesday. "In these past four or five games they've been pretty dang good so we just got to find ways to exploit them. Obviously we got to figure that out and where we're going to attack them."

For Cincinnati on offense, it will once again come down to establishing the run early, while eliminating mistakes and turnovers in key situations.

"Offensively, we have to do a great job of occupying the ball and trying to keep their offense off the field," said Satterfield. " We all know how explosive they are so we're going to have to do a much better job offensively, particularly on third downs, and making sure we get that first down. I think that will be big this week."

Final Thoughts

Saturday will be all about recognizing the 29 seniors expected to walk during pre-game ceremonies and sending them out on a high note.

In the game against Kansas State, the home team came out with more energy and were able to impose their will on the Bearcats from the first snap of the game.

With bowl eligibility on the line, there is plenty of motivation for UC.

Temperatures are expected to be in the low 30's with the potential for snow fall in the second half. Give the ball to Corey Kiner 20-plus times and allow him an opportunity to lead the Cats to one last win in front of the home crowd.