Athlon Sports Projects Bearcats as Third-Worst Big 12 Team in 2023

Cincinnati ranks ahead of Houston and West Virginia.

CINCINNATI — Athlon Sports released its Big 12 football projections this past week and the site has Cincinnati finishing 12th out of the 14 teams.

Only Houston and West Virginia ranked below the Bearcats.

"Although the Bearcats have won at least nine games (including a CFB Playoff trip in 2021) in each of the last five years, this program is in a state of transition for '23," Steve Lassan wrote. "In addition to the move from the American to the Big 12, there's a new coach (Scott Satterfield), and a roster that returns only seven starters.

"A defense that held teams to 20.6 points a game last fall should remain a strength, especially with rising star Dontay Corleone back up front. Getting to a bowl this fall with all of the changes is likely to hinge on how far Satterfield can develop this offense. Former Florida and Arizona State signal-caller Emory Jones is expected to start under center, and the transfer portal will provide reinforcements to a thin receiving corps. Also, just one starter returns on the offensive line."

It's essentially a mirror image at the bottom with the opening betting win totals for the 2023 season.

Cincinnati has plenty of scheduling advantages playing its way. They play the highest projected Big 12 win total (Oklahoma: 9.5 wins) but do not have to face the next four best-projected teams.

The team also plays a seventh home game this season compared to five road affairs.

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