Cincinnati (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) at Colorado (5-2, 3-1)
When/where: 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Folsom Field
TV/Radio: ESPN/850 AM
BetMGM Line: CU -5.5, 57.5 O/U
Weather: 51 degrees and slightly windy at kickoff
Series history: CU won the only meeting, 56-14 in Boulder in 1972
Three storylines
Travis Hunter’s impact: After the Buffs’ two-way star was knocked out of the Kansas State game with a reported shoulder injury, and then limited to the first half in last week’s win over Arizona, Deion Sanders said Hunter is “feeling much better.” Whether he’s back to padding his Heisman resume is TBD. Playing hurt last week at Arizona, he was limited to two catches for 17 yards. That means LaJohntay Wester (eight catches for 127 yards in Tucson) will likely continue as a featured pass-catcher, along with Will Sheppard. Jimmy Horn Jr., also hurt in the K-State loss, only had two catches last week.
Positioning up for grabs: The Buffs and Bearcats are currently in a four-way tie for third in the Big 12 standings, behind undefeated BYU and Iowa State. If the Buffs can run the table, a spot in the conference championship game awaits. A win over Cincinnati would be a boon toward that goal given how the schedule opens up. After next week’s trip to Texas Tech, the Buffs’ three remaining opponents are a combined 2-10 in the Big 12. In the meantime, the Buffs need either BYU or ISU to stumble, and the Cyclones have a much tougher stretch run.
CU’s defense: Robert Livingston’s unit is a major reason why the Buffs are outperforming pundits’ expectations. CU leads the Big 12 in red zone defense (17 scores allowed in 25 chances) and the Buffs have 13 takeaways. The defensive front has come into its own in recent weeks, with 16 sacks over the last three games, giving the Buffs a Big-12 best 21 for the season. That continued pressure will be huge against a Bearcats offense headlined by dual-threat QB Brendan Sorsby and running backs Corey Kiner and Evan Pryor, the latter of whom can bust big runs.
Predictions
Kyle Newman, sportswriter: CU 31, Cincinnati 21
It might be time to start believing this Buffs team can make a run to the Big 12 title game on Dec. 7 in Arlington. Travis Hunter has an impressive TD catch in the first quarter to take control of the game early. Shedeur Sanders, with decent protection up front, turns in another big stat line and scrambles for a few key first downs. And the defense does the rest, limiting the Bearcats to one score in the second half as CU come up with five sacks overall while Hunter’s fourth-quarter interception seals the win.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: CU 32, Cincinnati 28
Will the Bearcats give CU trouble? Time for the “Does this team look enough like Kansas State?” smell test. UC ranks seventh in the Big 12 in rush yards per game (172.4), so that one’s a no. But the Bearcats check in at second in time of possession (check); tied for fifth in fewest giveaways (check) and third in sacks per game (2.43, that’s a big check), behind only CU (3.0) and K-State (2.86). They’re tied for fifth in the Big 12 in penalties per game (4.4). The ‘Cats have averaged 29 points per game on the road. They’re sound, physical and unshakeable. And yet that still won’t get them over the line, at altitude, against The Coach Prime Train.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: CU 34, Cincinnati 20
There was a time before the season began when CU’s schedule looked like a collection of coin-flip games. The further we get into the fall, however, the less scary each opponent ends up looking. The Bearcats are three years removed from a College Football Playoff appearance, but this program is not that anymore. CU once again has a talent advantage, especially at the skill positions. So the question is the same as it is every week: Is the matchup at the line of scrimmage close enough that it won’t be a problem for CU? The answer once again is yes.
Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.
