The Bearcat mascot pumps up the fans lined up along Clifton Avenue Saturday afternoon during the University of Cincinnati Homecoming Parade October 24, 2015. 102415 Uc Homecoming 01 — © Madison Schmidt, Madison Schmidt for The Enquirer

UC Football's Toughest Games in 2022

The October road trip looks daunting for the Bearcats.

Author:
Alex Frank
Jul 2, 2022 8:00 AM EDT

MACON — While there may not be as many recognizable, big-time opponents on the Cincinnati Bearcats 2022 football schedule, there are still some games that could be tough.

1. @ Arkansas - Sept. 3 (3:30 p.m. on ESPN)

This one goes without saying. Any true road game at an SEC school is going to be tough. Especially for a team playing its first game after losing nine players to the NFL Draft.

Arkansas finished 9-4 last year, ranking in both the top 50 in the country in points scored and points allowed. They return their starting dual-threat quarterback, K.J. Jefferson, who also led the team in rushing yards. They also bring back their leading tackler on defense in linebacker Bumper Pool.

While they may not be Alabama, Georgia, or LSU, this is still a very balanced Arkansas team that, like Cincinnati, enters 2022 with high expectations.

2. @ Tulsa - Oct. 1 (Time and Channel TBA)

A lot of fans may not think of Tulsa as a difficult game, but the last two matchups between these two teams suggest otherwise. It took Cincinnati two goal-line stands to finish off the Golden Hurricane last year and a game-winning field goal as time expired in the 2020 AAC Championship game.

In addition, Tulsa won its final three regular-season games last year after losing to Cincinnati and then won their bowl game. This year, they bring back six returning starters on offense, including their quarterback, two wide receivers, and tight ends.

Heading to the western most team in the AAC for the first conference game is no easy task, especially coming off a game against Indiana at home. Consider this a trap game.

3. @ SMU - Oct. 22 (Time and Channel TBA)

The first game out of the bye week will test the Bearcats' new-look secondary. SMU finished 14th in the country in passing in 2021, and quarterback Tanner Mordecai returns this year to light up the stat sheet.

Cincinnati did a great job of shutting down the Mustangs' offense last year, holding them to 14 points and less than 200 yards of offense. But that was at Nippert Stadium. This game is on the road.

4. @ UCF - Oct. 29 (Time and Channel TBA)

As if playing high-octane SMU on the road wasn't enough, the Bearcats travel to the bounce house in Central Florida the next week.

The last time Cincinnati played in a full Camping World Stadium, it did not go well. And with the Bearcats coming off a College Football Playoff appearance—a place UCF fans could only dream to be back in 2017 and 2018—those fans are going to be out in full throat to beat the Bearcats.

They may not be like those Knights teams, but they are heading to the Big 12 for reason. They are an offense that can put points on the board and yards on the stat sheet. In a game that could be a rivalry preview in the Big 12, it could also be a game that makes or breaks Cincinnati's 2022 season.

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