There are so many strong teams in the Big 12 that a few aren’t getting enough of a spotlight.
It seems like a year ago when Cincinnati couldn’t come through in a tough 20-17 loss to Nebraska in Kansas City.
Beating Bowling Green and Northwestern State wasn’t anything to pay attention to, but it’s a good-looking team that could become a sleeper in the Big 12 if it carries the last two performances over to the conference season.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs Kansas Jayhawks Game Preview
Kansas Jayhawks cornerback Austin Alexander (0) warms up before the game against West Virginia Mountaineers at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 20, 2025.© Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Pull this off, and while it’s not easy facing Iowa State, UCF, and Baylor around a road game at Oklahoma State, getting three of the next four games would make things interesting.
Kansas got two weeks to get past the tough rivalry loss to Missouri, and it came out roaring in a 41-10 win over West Virginia. It needs this with four of the next six games on the road.
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Cincinnati vs Kansas How To Watch
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV: TNT
Location: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS
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Why Cincinnati Will Win
The Bearcat offensive line is doing a fantastic job.
It has yet to allow a sack, the running game was good against Nebraska, great two weeks ago against Northwestern State, and the attack isn’t screwing up.
It needs to be far better on third downs, but turnovers haven’t been a big issue so far – at least after the mistakes against the Huskers – and the penalties are at a minimum.
Kansas is having an even harder time connecting on third downs, and the Bearcats have the defensive front to generate enough pressure to keep drives from going anywhere. But …
Sep 13, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Isaiah Johnson (0) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Northwestern State Demons in the first half at Nippert Stadium. © Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Why Kansas Will Win
The Cincinnati style keeps the defense on the field way too long.
There’s no interest in winning the time of possession battle, and while Kansas can and will try to strike quickly, it should be able to grind it out a little more than usual.
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The ground attack hit the 200-yard mark in three of the last four games behind a line that’s been every bit as strong as Cincinnati’s at keeping defenses out of the backfield.
Best of all for the Jayhawks, it’s not just all about Jalon Daniels. The sixth-year quarterback has been great, but he’s got help in the backfield, the defense has been solid – at least outside of the Missouri game – and …
Kansas will go fast to keep up with Cincinnati
The Cincinnati problems in the time of possession battle will matter here.
Kansas will score fast, Cincinnati will try to get back fast, and the game flow will ramp up into a fun, energetic battle.
The Jayhawks will pull away midway through the fourth quarter when the Bearcats won’t be able to answer a big play for a score.
Cincinnati vs Kansas Prediction, Betting Lines
Kansas 31, Cincinnati 26
Line: Kansas -4.5, o/u: 57.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Must See Rating: 3
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Consensus Line from BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Related: UCF vs Kansas State Prediction: How Good Are the Knights?
This story was originally reported by College Football News on Sep 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
