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

On a gray, gloomy day at Nippert Stadium, the Cincinnati Bearcats played a frightening first half against No. 6 Utah, allowing them a 36-point lead.

That was enough to send the student section off to their Halloween costume parties as the Utes went on to whack UC 49-25. It spoiled UC's plans of knocking off back-to-back Top 10 teams. Instead, Utah extended its active win streak to 14 games and improved their record to 8-0, tops in the Big 12.

"We didn't play well," UC coach Scott Satterfield said. "If you don't play well against a Top 10 team like Utah, this is what happens."

That leaves the Bearcats at 5-3 (2-3 Big 12) as they have to figure out how to get bowl-eligible in a month that hasn't been kind to UC in the Big 12. Dating back to their inaugural 2023 campaign, the Bearcats are 1-11 in November.

Grading Cincinnati Enquirer's predictions for Cincinnati Bearcats, Utah Utes

We predicted a UC Bearcats home win

Outcome: After misses in Morgantown and the upset of Texas Tech, we factored in the Nippert crowd and the two-time zone factor in that guess.

We couldn't have been more wrong. The crowd was about 2,400 shy of a sellout and most were home to get a Baby Ruth or Butterfinger by trick-or-treat time as the Utes were blowing the doors off UC with a 42-6 halftime lead.

We said both UC and Utah would have 100-yard rushers

Outcome: Utah was holding opponents to about 88 yards and UC ran for 193. Cole Tabb did reach 131 yards and scored his 13th touchdown. The Utes outrushed UC with 269 yards, but Wayshawn Parker was their top runner with 82 yards, 64 of them coming on a third-quarter gallop.

We said both JC French IV and Utah's Devon Dampier would throw interceptions

Outcome: Well, we're bound to be correct on something. Actually, both threw the "pick-six" variety, with Elijah Davis taking French for a touchdown, then Jacob Finley pilfering Dampier for a 79-yard score.

Finally, we said field goals would play a key role

Outcome: Not really. It was UC's only scoring in the first half, with Stephen Rusnak making a 47-yarder, missing from 35 and making one from 39 yards. In the end, it was not a good night to go to the casino here.

Overreactions from Cincinnati Bearcats vs. No. 6 Texas Tech

Cincinnati Bearcats may not win another game

Or, they may win the next four.

Had they finished at Morgantown vs. WVU, then pulled the Texas Tech upset, they'd be bowl-eligible with six wins. Instead, they were treated like world-beaters across the country for beating the Red Raiders, but will likely be jeered for nearly being run off their own field in the first half on Oct. 31 vs. Utah.

They're not alone. UCF upset then-No. 2 BYU, then was wiped out by Baylor, also in Orlando. Luke Fickell's Wisconsin team got ranked after beating then-No. 16 USC, then got shut out in Iowa 30-0 Oct. 31. In addition to ranked teams Houston and BYU ahead, UC has Iowa State and Colorado to play. The Cyclones knocked off No. 24 Oklahoma State 51-49 in Ames and the Buffaloes beat Kansas State in overtime in Boulder 27-24.

Nothing should be considered a surprise.

"You've got a lot of teams with new guys, and it's hard to be consistent on a weekly basis," Satterfield said. "Injuries can affect it. Where you're playing can affect it. Who you're playing can affect it. There's a lot of parity in college football."

UC Bearcats defense fails again

This is partially true. You can't sugarcoat a 42-6 trip to the woodshed at halftime. But Devon Dampier played into the second half and UC only gave up seven more points. They also had a goal-line stand in the final minutes to keep Utah from putting up 50.

In the previous two weeks, they did hold West Virginia's run game down, but they made quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. look like Tom Brady through the air. Against Texas Tech, they held off Will Hammond and running back J'Koby Williams. Williams ran for 175 yards as the No. 13 Red Raiders beat No. 22 Arizona Oct. 31.

Sadly, for a second straight year and a second straight defense, they had no answer for Dampier who was 22-for-29 for 260 yards and three touchdowns in addition to 45 yards on the ground.

Playing at home in Big 12 is an advantage

On Homecoming, maybe. On Oct. 31, complacency showed on the field and in the stands.

Grades for Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Utah

Overall: C-

UC won the second half 19-7, but the agreed-upon rules call for scoring all four quarters. UC was without center Taran Tyo and nose tackle Josh Hough, but all of the alibis in the world can't cover up a subpar effort.

Offense: C-

They settled for field goals in the first half and were 2-for-3. UC had no offensive touchdowns until Cole Tabb ran for a 48-yard score with 1:54 to go in the third. It was Tabb's fourth game over 100 yards as he had 131 and a score. Gi'Bran Payne had 74 yards in his first game since West Virginia, but he also had a costly fumble that Utah took back to the house.

Defense: F+

Jacob Finley's 79-yard interception for a touchdown stands out, but allowing 534 total yards is not a passing grade and Hunter Andrews weaved through UC's secondary for two touchdowns as if he were invisible.

Special Teams: C

Max Fletcher only punted twice, with a long of 48. Rusnak was 2-for-3 on field goals, but Utah was scoring touchdowns, so those, in the end, were defensive wins for the Utes.

Coaching: D

After a stellar effort in the Texas Tech upset, you would've guessed more energy and enthusiasm from a team looking for a bowl bid. Not many coaches would have defeated Morgan Scalley's Utes on this day, but teams must seize the moment when they have a ranked team at home on national television.

Cincinnati Bearcats look for 1st 2026 road win at Houston

Utah beat Houston 21-13 Oct. 24 in Salt Lake City. Since then, the Cougars have had time to lick their wounds with a bye week and prepare for the Bearcats Nov. 7. UC won in Houston in 2023 for their opening Big 12 victory, but it's the only November win they've had since being in the league.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Overreactions, extended grades from UC Bearcats vs. No. 6 Utah Utes