CINCINNATI, OH – No. 22 University of Cincinnati football will face a significant test Saturday at noon ET when they host Arizona in a matchup of top Big 12 contenders. The Bearcats (7-1) and Wildcats (6-2) represent two of the conferenceS most potent offenses and increasingly formidable defenses.
Cincinnati boasts the nation’s fifth-ranked offense in yards per play (7.22), complemented by a balanced attack ranking third nationally in rushing yards per attempt (5.99) and 10th in pass efficiency (164.41). They lead the country in fourth-down conversion percentage (.909) and fewest sacks allowed (2.0), and are eighth in red zone offense (.943). Quarterback Brendan Sorsby, a Denton, Texas native, spearheads the Bearcats’ attack and is the Big 12’s highest-rated QB by Pro Football Focus (89.7), ranking second in Total QBR (80.6) and passer rating (161.47). Sorsby has amassed 2,064 passing yards and 21 touchdowns, adding 453 rushing yards and eight scores. Remarkably, he threw 20 touchdowns with zero interceptions during September and October, leading UC too a 7-0 record over that span. He remains the only Power Four quarterback to throw at least 10 touchdowns with no interceptions at home this season. Sorsby has been recognized twice as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, following games against Northwestern State and Kansas.
Arizona presents a strong challenge, featuring one of the Big 12’s top defenses. The wildcats rank second in the league in pass defense (160.11 yards allowed) and lead the conference with 12 interceptions and 18 total turnovers forced. Arizona also ranks No. 4 in the Big 12 in scoring defense (19.9 points per game) and No.5 in scoring offense (33.0 points per game).
Cincinnati’s scoring defense (21.9 points allowed) ranks No. 7 in the Big 12, and the Bearcats have committed a league-low seven turnovers. UC currently holds the 20th-best “Strength of Record” according to ESPN metrics, trailing only BYU (eighth), Texas Tech (ninth), and Utah (19th) within the Big 12.They are also 19th in ESPN’s game control metric and the nation’s 20th most efficient team boasting the seventh-most efficient offense and the No. 13-most efficient special teams.
Fifita’s 18 first-half touchdown passes lead the nation,one more than Sorsby’s 17.
