DraftKings · as of July 8, 2026
BYU defeated Cincinnati 26–14 in a double-digit victory. BYU covered by 9.5; Game went Under by 16.5. The market closed at BYU -2.5 and the Blue Chip model made it BYU -3.8, an edge of 1.3 points toward BYU.
Martin's career-high 222 rushing yards (8th-most in school history) with two touchdowns demonstrates BYU has a dominant rushing attack. This was his 6th 100-yard game this season, showing consistent production that opposing defenses must account for heavily in game planning.
At 10-1 overall and 7-1 in Big 12 play, BYU kept their title game hopes alive but couldn't clinch due to Arizona State's win over Colorado. They still control their destiny but face pressure in remaining games, particularly against UCF next week.
BYU held Cincinnati to just 87 rushing yards, their lowest total since December 2022, against a team averaging 194 yards per game on the ground. Coach Sitake noted the defense is 'peaking at the right time' heading into crucial final games.
Bear Bachmeier's 6-yard rushing touchdown gives him 11 rushing TDs, tying for second-most by a freshman in program history. His dual-threat ability in short-yardage situations provides BYU with reliable scoring options near the goal line.
Despite being ranked 11th in CFP rankings, BYU players emphasize winning games over impressing committees. Martin's quote 'If we win, we'll be in' reflects the team's mindset heading into the final stretch, suggesting they won't change their approach for style points.
At kickoff, conditions at Nippert Stadium were Mist, 41°F, wind chill 38°F with winds of 4 mph. Weather is not expected to be a meaningful factor in this game. Historical weather data for this game is preserved in the panel alongside. Weather data is sourced from WeatherAPI.com.
Mist
41°F

| Measure | BYUAway | CincinnatiHome |
|---|---|---|
| This week | 1,443 miles | 0 miles |
| Last week | Home game | Home game |
| Season total | 10,318 miles | 6,561 miles |
| Body clock | 18:00 | 20:00 |
| Rest | 7 days | 8 days |