Cincinnati Bearcats

Cincinnati enters 2026 with almost an entirely new skill group on offense. Quarterback Brendan Sorsby departed for Texas Tech, and the Bearcats brought in Georgia Southern's JC French IV to run the show. French is not the same explosive athlete as Sorsby, but he is a proven winner who fits the play-action, ground-heavy attack that offensive coordinator Nic Cardwell and Pete Thomas want to run. The offensive line is the clear strength, returning three starters including All-American Evan Tengesdahl, Taran Tyo, and left tackle Joe Cotton. With Zion Johnson, Gi'Bran Payne, and Zylan Perry in the backfield, the running game should be the engine that sets up everything else. The receiving corps is largely new, but Isaiah Johnson brings elite speed and should be the top target, with JV Gibson, Larenzo Fenner, and Cade Wolford filling out the rotation.

First-year defensive coordinator Nate Woody is installing a pressure-based 3-3-5 scheme, a departure from what the Bearcats ran in 2025. The defense lost NFL-bound tackles Jake Golday and Dontay Corleone, plus key defensive backs Christian Harrison and Jiquan Sanks. To fill those holes, Cincinnati added Josh Hough and Chidera Otutu on the interior, and safety Ty Goodwill and cornerback Kenny Worthy in the secondary. Marquaze Parker, who has been consistent since his true freshman year, is the top pass-rusher, with Brian Simms III and Thomas Johnson at outside linebacker. Northern Illinois transfer Filip Maciorowski is expected to play the high-volume tackler role that Golday vacated. The scheme is designed to create more turnovers, which was a weakness last season, and the added investment on defense should lead to more disruptive plays.

The Bearcats return both starting specialists, kicker Stephen Rusnak and punter Max Fletcher, who each had strong first seasons as starters. Their consistency gives Cincinnati a reliable edge in field position and scoring. On returns, Isaiah Johnson is the obvious choice for kickoffs and punts, as he is the fastest and shiftiest player on the roster. His ability to break a big return could be a game-changer in close contests, especially early in the season while the new offense and defense are still finding their footing.

The preseason outlook suggests it will be hard for Cincinnati to top its 2025 performance given the amount of departed talent, but the pieces are in place for a strong season. The offensive line and running back depth should make French's transition smoother, and the new defensive scheme should generate more turnovers. The Bearcats are favored by a touchdown in their opener against Boston College, with a 72% win probability according to prediction markets. That early test will show how quickly the new pieces can gel. The schedule includes significant travel, over 7,000 miles total, which could be a factor in road games. The key will be whether French can manage games effectively and whether the defense can force the chaos that Woody's scheme promises.

Beyond the obvious names, several players could define Cincinnati's season. Isaiah Johnson is not just a return threat; he is the deep threat who can stretch defenses and open up the running game. On defense, Marquaze Parker is the most proven pass-rusher and should see a massive role. Filip Maciorowski is an intriguing addition who could lead the team in tackles. The offensive line, anchored by Tengesdahl and Cotton, will be the unit that makes everything work. If the running game can control the clock and the defense can force turnovers, Cincinnati could exceed expectations. The coaching staff, led by Scott Satterfield, is under pressure after a 15-22 record in three years, and a strong season would be a major statement.