BYU vs. Cincinnati Odds, Preview, Picks, and Prediction for Saturday, November 22, 2025
Use Code WWWC On Saturday, the BYU Cougars will play the Cincinnati Bearcats in a Week 13 NCAAF game at Nippert Stadium. The Big 12 Conference matchup is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.
The Cougars are 2.5-point spread favorites, and the total is 56.5 points scored.
This BYU vs. Cincinnati prediction highlights a Cougars squad that's 7-1 in Big 12 competition (second place) and 4-1 on the road, and a Bearcats team that's 5-2 (tied for third) in conference play and 5-1 at home. Saturday's matchup is the fourth all-time between BYU and Cincinnati on the gridiron. The Cougars have won all three previous games, including a 35-27 victory in 2023.
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BYU (9-1 SU, 7-3 ATS, and 5-5 O/U) responded to its disappointing loss at Texas Tech with a resilient victory over TCU last weekend. The Cougars led from start to finish, jumping out to a 17-0 lead and outgaining the Horned Frogs 447-298. TCU was a combined 2-for-12 on third and fourth down, as BYU forced two turnovers and controlled the time of possession by over 12 minutes. Freshman QB Bear Bachmeier passed for 296 yards, including 239 in the first half alone.
“Offensively, it felt like it was just good to let Bear throw the ball,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said.
Bachmeier paces Brigham Young with 2,177 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He has completed 63.2 percent of his passes, averaging 8.0 yards per attempt. The dual-threat has also rushed for 479 yards and ten scores, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. A few other Cougars to watch against the Bearcats are senior WR Chase Roberts (43 receptions for 702 yards and five TDs), junior WR Parker Kingston (44 receptions for 639 yards and four TDs), and junior RB LJ Martin (163 carries for 912 yards and six TDs).
BYU scores 34.1 points per game (27th) and averages 416.9 total yards (44th), including 221.8 passing yards (77th) and 195.1 rushing yards (22nd). The Cougars' defense allows 17.8 points (14th) and 321.2 total yards (24th) per game, including 191.3 passing yards (30th) and 129.9 rushing yards (41st).
BYU Cougars Football Injury Report:
- Starting left guard Weylin Lapuaho is out.
Cincinnati (7-3 SU, 6-4 ATS, and 6-4 O/U) lost its season opener to Nebraska, but reeled off seven straight wins to make serious noise in the Big 12 title race. The Bearcats weren't able to sustain their momentum in their past two games, though, losing 45-14 to Utah and 30-24 to Arizona off a bye. UC was outgained 475-344 in last week's home loss to UA, as the Wildcats averaged 9.5 yards per pass and 4.3 yards per rush. The visitors also forced two turnovers and dominated the time of possession by over 13 minutes. Cincy led 14-7 mid-way through the first quarter, but didn't find the end zone again until the 6:38 mark in the fourth.
“Early in the game, we did some great things running the football,” Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield said. “In the second half, they were able to get some more guys in the box. We hit a little lull.”
Junior QB Brendan Sorsby leads the Bearcats' passing attack with 2,218 yards (60.0% CMP%), 22 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He has also rushed for 483 yards (5.9 yards per carry) and nine rushing scores. Sorsby's top receiving targets are senior WR Cyrus Allen (41 receptions for 572 yards and ten TDs) and senior WR Jeff Caldwell (26 receptions for 416 yards and four TDs). Senior RB Tawee Walker (109 carries for 652 yards and four scores) is Cincinnati's top rusher.
The Bearcats score 38.2 points per game (10th) and average 474.7 total yards (13th), including 258.6 passing yards (42nd) and 216.1 rushing yards (16th). The Cincy defense surrenders 25.2 points (75th) and 433.9 total yards (125th) per game, including 258.3 passing yards (115th) and 175.6 rushing yards (108th).
Cincinnati Bearcats Football Injury Report:
- WR Caleb Goodie (third-leading receiver) will play vs BYU, per Satterfield.
- Starting QB Brendan Sorby is probable.
- LB Jake Golday (92 tackles and 3.5 sacks) is probable.
- RB Evan Pryor (66 carries for 478 yards) is probable.
- CB Jiquan Sanks (40 tackles and three PBUs) is probable.
- CB Anwan Peek Jr. (36 tackles) is probable.
BYU vs. Cincinnati Pick and Preview
Spread Pick for BYU vs. Cincinnati
- Cougars -2.5 (4 Units)
I like BYU to escape Cincinnati with a road win and cover.
The Cougars regained their balance last week after a tough loss to Texas Tech and will make it over their final major hurdle of the regular season. They want a rematch with the Red Raiders in the Big 12 title game and won't be tripped up before they get there. BYU scored on all five of its red zone trips last week and consistently moved the chains on third and fourth down. The Bearcats' run defense will be exposed by Martin, who averages 5.6 yards per carry.
Cincy will also have success on offense, but BYU is talented enough to make the winning defensive plays. The Cougars boast one of the top pass defenses in the country, especially at creating contested catches. They will make the Bearcats work for every first down (13th in third-down defense), too.
Over/Under Pick for BYU vs. Cincinnati
- Over 56.5 (5 Units)
I prefer the over in Saturday's game.
Cincy's defense was mauled in its last two games, allowing 75 points, and this matchup points to more struggles. The Cougars are a dominant run team (top-25 in running plays of ten-plus yards), and their use of inside zone runs will be problematic for the Bearcats, who have a 38 percent success rate against inside zone. The home team ranks outside the top 100 in Stuff Rate and doesn't generate consistent pressure on opposing QBs, either. A week after a dominant performance against TCU, BYU will pile on the points at Nippert.
On the other side of the ball, I expect the Bearcats to put up a fight. They sport a fast-paced offense (24.5 seconds per play) and have consistently come away with points once they pass their opponents' 40-yard line, averaging 4.9 points per possession. The Bearcats will be especially tough to slow down on the ground, as they average 6.0 yards per carry and rank 21st in runs of ten-plus yards. With Goodie back and likely Pryor to return, Sorsby should have two of his top offensive weapons back at his disposal, too.
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