Bold predictions as UC tries to win at No. 17 Houston Nov. 7

The latest Big 12 quarterback the Cincinnati Bearcats must face is a 6-foot-3 gunslinger from Cypress, Texas, about 30 miles from the University of Houston.

Conner Weigman is in his fifth year of football and has thrown for 2,053 yards and 20 touchdowns with just two interceptions this season. He is in his second year with Houston after playing at Texas A&M. He threw for 2,705 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, when the Cougars struggled to a 4-8 mark.

This season, Houston's third-down offensive efficiency is tops in the nation. Weigman also has 249 yards with his legs and six touchdowns.

UC quarterback JC French IV has thrown for 1,773 yards and 13 touchdowns with only three interceptions. A year ago, he threw for more yards than Weigman with 2,929 at Georgia Southern.

UC Bearcats football Overreactions, extended grades from UC Bearcats vs. No. 6 Utah Utes

French is heading toward career-highs on the ground. For UC to be successful against Houston's high-powered offense, they will likely need another successful day running the football and an error-free day in the air.

Defensively, the Bearcats have to keep Houston below their averages of 36 points and 470 total offensive yards.

"I think first down will be critical this week against Houston," UC head coach Scott Satterfield said. "They're so efficient. They don't have many negative plays. If we can try to knock them off a little on first down, it will make that third down a little bit longer. These offenses, when it's third and three or four or less, they can do everything. It makes it a lot more difficult to stop them. If you get them in that long-yardage scenario, you get a better idea of how to get them off the field."

3 bold predictions for Cincinnati Bearcats vs. No. 17 Houston Cougars

1. UC Bearcats will need 200 rushing yards to win

Cole Tabb did have 131 yards vs. Utah, and Gi'Bran Payne had 67. In four of their five wins, UC has had over 250 rushing yards. A healthy Payne should help, as well as anything either can offer in the passing game.

Utah ran for 226 yards against Houston in their most recent game Oct. 24, a 21-13 Utes win.

2. UC's defense will have to keep Houston QB Conner Weigman under 200 passing yards

Other than a Houston rout of Southern, where he left the game early, Weigman hasn't been below 200 yards. Be it injury or game situation, Weigman hasn't run as much this season. Last year, he had over 100 yards rushing in three different games. If UC can keep the passing yards down, the Cougars may have to run. Against Utah, Houston only had 86 rushing yards.

3. UC will need halftime lead to have chance vs. Houston

Life at leading 24-6 (vs. No. 8 Texas Tech) is a lot easier than trailing 42-6 (vs. then-No. 6 Utah). Particularly on the road, a halftime lead can be a spark. In their five wins, UC led in three games at the half (Boston College, Western Carolina, Texas Tech). Against Miami University and Kansas State, UC trailed and came back in Cincinnati.

Houston has only trailed at halftime once this season, a 10-0 deficit at UCF on Oct. 3. They stormed back to win 27-17.

Winning on the Big 12 road is not easy. The Bearcats won at Kansas and Oklahoma State in 2025, at UCF in 2024, and recorded their first Big 12 win in Houston three years ago.

What Houston coach Willie Fritz said about Cincinnati Bearcats

"They played Utah last week and the week before they played Texas Tech and really got after 'em," Fritz told the Houston media. "They're a good squad: offense, defense, kicking game. I wouldn't say they're built the same as us, but they've done a really nice job in the portal."

On UC's running game with Cole Tabb:

"Physical runner. Same thing with us, it starts with their offensive line. We've got one of the highest-ranked offensive lines in the Big 12, and they're right there with us. Their backs run extremely hard, and their quarterback (JC French) will play 11-on-11 football with you and run. He's going to be a threat as well."

Predictions for Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Houston Cougars

Arizona Central – Houston 33-23

Dimers – Houston 36-25

Sportsjaw – Houston 35-25

Enquirer prediction for Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Houston Cougars

Caught in the frenzy of the win over No. 8 Texas Tech, we horribly miscalculated the Utah game. The Utes led 42-6 at halftime on their way to a 49-25 blowout.

In my preseason predictions, this was a 31-25 loss to the Cougars based on Weigman and the lack of success in November. Updating that score, we'll say the Bearcats beat the spread, but the Cougars win 35-25.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bold predictions as UC tries to win at No. 17 Houston Nov. 7