Star RB 1 of 5 Cincinnati players ruled out for Texas Tech bout

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The Cincinnati football team is hoping to bounce back after a couple of tough conference losses. Cincinnati is battling Texas Tech on Saturday in a Big 12 conference showdown. The Bearcats will be without one of their top running backs for that clash.

“Cincinnati tailback Gi’Bran Payne is out today against Texas Tech,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel posted to X, formerly Twitter.

The Bearcats are coming off back-to-back conference losses to Arizona and West Virginia. Saturday’s game is homecoming for the Cincinnati football program.

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This season, Payne has rushed for 418 yards. He has two touchdowns rushing this season for Cincinnati. The Bearcats are now 4-2 on the campaign.

The loss of Payne is a very tough one for Cincinnati. The Bearcats have a gauntlet of a schedule ahead.

“Saturday’s game against Texas Tech kicks off a stretch of games for Cincinnati that includes three straight against ranked opponents: No. 8 TTU, No. 10 Utah (Oct. 31), and No. 14 Houston (Nov. 7). In fact, entering play this weekend UC owns the toughest schedule in the country, with its remaining opponents boasting a 29-8 record,” the school announced.

Texas Tech won the Big 12 during the 2025 college football season. The Red Raiders are transitioning from the loss of quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who was banned from playing this season. Texas Tech has showed no signs of slowing down, despite the loss of Sorsby.

“One of just six remaining unbeaten teams in the nation, Texas Tech owns the fifth-ranked rushing defense in the country (82.0) and the 11^th-ranked rushing offense (231.2). Running back J’Koby Williams (538 rushing yards) is sixth in the Big 12 in rushing,” the Cincinnati football program announced.

Cincinnati is led by head coach Scott Satterfield. Satterfield is in his fourth season with the Bearcats. This season, Cincinnati has wins over Kansas State, Boston College, Miami (OH) and Western Carolina.

Cincinnati and Texas Tech play Saturday at 12:00 ET. Texas Tech is 6-0 on the season, and tied for first in the Big 12.

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