Man, Cincinnati's season has absolutely spiraled in a hurry. This is a team that was, not that long ago, looking like it might compete for a Big 12 championship spot as the Bearcats bounced back nicely from their season opening loss against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Once upon a time, Cincinnati was sitting at 7-1, looking like a very real threat to the Big 12 championship game race. And now we’re talking about a Bearcats game where Cincinnati has lost four games in a row. Which is obviously not what Cincinnati wants, but there’s no doubt in my mind that TCU fans didn’t want to see the Bearcats thrive in this game.
And since TCU managed to win, Sonny Dykes and his coaching staff likely took a bit of heat off of them by getting to 8-4 on the season.
Big 12 football standings, week 14:
- Texas Tech Red Raiders (11-1 overall, 8-1 Big 12)
- BYU Cougars (11-1 overall, 8-1 Big 12)
- Utah Utes (10-2 overall, 7-2 Big 12)
- Arizona Wildcats (9-3 overall, 6-3 Big 12)
- Houston Cougars (9-3 overall, 6-3 Big 12)
- Arizona State Sun Devils (8-4 overall, 6-3 Big 12)
- TCU Horned Frogs (8-4 overall, 5-4 Big 12)
- Cincinnati Bearcats (7-5 overall, 5-4 Big 12)
- Kansas State Wildcats (6-6 overall, 5-4 Big 12)
- Iowa State Cyclones (7-4 overall, 4-4 Big 12)
- Baylor Bears (5-7 overall, 3-6 Big 12)
- Kansas Jayhawks (5-7 overall, 3-6 Big 12)
- UCF Knights (5-7 overall, 2-7 Big 12)
- West Virginia Mountaineers (4-8 overall, 2-7 Big 12)
- Colorado Buffaloes (3-9 overall, 1-8 Big 12)
- Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-10 overall, 0-8 Big 12)
It’s so bizarre seeing Cincinnati struggle as much as it has late in the season. That team is incredibly streaky and they’re going to need to find a way to play a bit more even keel next season. Losing the season opener, winning seven in a row, and then losing four in a row is not a recipe for a season that will inspire your fans.
TCU, on the other hand, also likely underachieved this season. And I suspect Dykes will start feeling some pressure to get his team elevated a bit more in the very near future.