The No. 24 Cincinnati Bearcats have defied expectations, becoming the undisputed surprise team of the Big 12 at the 2025 midseason mark. With a commanding five-game winning streak and a 5-1 overall record, including a perfect 3-0 in conference play, coach Scott Satterfield’s squad has already matched last year’s win total and is turning heads across college football.
As the Big 12 season reaches its halfway point, the usual suspects like No. 7 Texas Tech and No. 15 BYU are leading the charge, both sitting at an impressive 6-0. However, the real story capturing the attention of journalists and fans alike is the meteoric rise of the No. 24 Cincinnati Bearcats. Voted the most surprising team by Associated Press writers covering the league, Cincinnati’s journey from a Power Four newcomer to a conference contender is nothing short of remarkable.
The Bearcats, under head coach Scott Satterfield’s third season, have compiled a 5-1 record, including an unblemished 3-0 in Big 12 play. This strong start marks their best performance since joining the conference, showcasing a dramatic turnaround from previous years. Their five-game winning streak began after an opening loss to Nebraska, highlighting their resilience and newfound offensive and defensive prowess.
The Architects of Cincinnati’s Unexpected Dominance
Cincinnati’s surprising success can be attributed to several key figures who have elevated their game and transformed the team’s identity. The Bearcats’ offense has become a formidable force, complementing a defense that has proven difficult to break.
Brendan Sorsby: The Efficient Quarterback
At the heart of the offensive resurgence is quarterback Brendan Sorsby, an Indiana transfer who has thrived at the helm. Sorsby’s efficiency and dual-threat capabilities have been a revelation, making him a contender for top offensive honors. He ranks third in the Big 12 with 295.8 total yards per game, a testament to his balanced attack.
Sorsby has thrown for 1,448 yards and 14 touchdowns with only one interception, demonstrating exceptional decision-making. Beyond his arm, he has added 327 rushing yards and five scores on the ground. His ability to extend plays and contribute to the run game has added another dimension to Cincinnati’s attack, as seen in past games like the 24-14 victory over Arizona State in October 2024, where he contributed two rushing touchdowns. This performance contrasts sharply with the struggles of the offense in the prior season, showcasing significant growth.
Corey Kiner: Leading the Ground Attack
The Bearcats’ rushing attack has been equally impactful, spearheaded by junior running back Corey Kiner. Kiner has been a consistent force, having achieved multiple 100-yard rushing games this season. In a notable November 2023 victory against Houston, Kiner rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns, helping Cincinnati secure their first Big 12 win with a 24-14 final score. This dominance on the ground has been a hallmark of the Bearcats’ offensive strategy.
Defensive Cornerstones: Golday, Corleone, and Bartlett
While the offense shines, the defense has undergone a significant transformation under first-year defensive coordinator Tyson Veidt, who joined from Iowa State. The unit now ranks fourth in the Big 12 in scoring defense, conceding less than 20 points per game. Their success is built on consistent quarterback pressure and forcing turnovers, with nine forced fumbles—three more than any other team in the conference.
Key defensive standouts include:
- Jake Golday: The Big 12’s leading tackler, averaging 9.3 tackles per game, Golday is the anchor of the Bearcats’ linebacking corps.
- Dontay Corleone: Nicknamed “the Godfather,” the defensive lineman returned early in the season after treatment for blood clots. He has made an immediate impact with three sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in six games.
- Jared Bartlett: A transfer from West Virginia, Bartlett has quickly become a defensive leader, topping the team in total tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss.
These players, along with the strategic changes implemented by Veidt, have solidified Cincinnati as a defensive powerhouse, effectively shutting down opponents’ rushing attacks, as demonstrated against Arizona State where they limited veteran running back Cam Skattebo to just 75 yards after he had amassed over 300 yards in the previous two games combined.
Big 12 Midseason Highlights: Beyond Cincinnati
While Cincinnati steals the spotlight for its surprise factor, other teams and players have also made significant impacts at the midseason point:
- Top Coaches: Joey McGuire of Texas Tech and Kalani Sitake of BYU share the title for the league’s top coach, both guiding their teams to undefeated 6-0 records. BYU’s consecutive 6-0 starts are a first in school history, even after a surprising quarterback departure.
- Top Offensive Player: Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson leads the nation with 343 passing yards per game and 19 touchdowns. He’s the only FBS passer with over 2,000 yards, completing 158 of 248 passes (63.7%) for 2,058 yards and a streak of 10 consecutive multiple-TD games. This places him among the elite quarterbacks in college football, as confirmed by ESPN’s official statistics.
- Top Defensive Player & First-Year Transfer: Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey, a Stanford transfer, is the FBS leader with 8.5 sacks and has forced two fumbles.
- Top First-Year Freshman: BYU’s Bear Bachmeier, the first true freshman QB to start an opener for BYU, has thrown for 1,220 yards and eight touchdowns, adding 295 rushing yards and seven scores.
- Most Surprising Player: BYU junior LJ Martin leads the Big 12 in rushing with 108.7 yards per game, accumulating 652 yards already this season. His four 100-yard games include a career-high 162 yards in a double-overtime win against Arizona.
Looking Ahead: Cincinnati’s Path Forward
Cincinnati’s impressive midseason performance sets them up for a challenging but exciting second half of the season. Their next two games, including a matchup against Colorado, could be pivotal in determining their Big 12 Championship game aspirations. The Bearcats have already shown they can compete with—and beat—top teams, losing their only two games by a combined four points.
The transformation under Coach Satterfield, coupled with standout individual performances and a revamped defense, has created a buzz around the program. The Bearcats are no longer just a “surprise team”; they are a legitimate contender whose trajectory will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, showcasing what can be achieved through strategic transfers, coaching adjustments, and unwavering team effort. Their current standing as a ranked team, No. 24 Cincinnati, underscores their remarkable ascent in the demanding Big 12 conference.
Noteworthy Conference News and Challenges:
- Kansas State’s Struggles: The Wildcats (3-4) have matched their loss total from the past three seasons. Their season started with a 24-21 loss to Iowa State and includes a 1-3 start, highlighting a disappointing turn for a program that won the Big 12 championship in 2022.
- Oklahoma State’s Coaching Change: The hottest seat in the Big 12 was vacated when Mike Gundy was fired on September 23, three games into his 21st season. Under interim coach Doug Meacham, the Cowboys are 0-3 in Big 12 play, extending their conference losing streak to 12 games, as reported by The Associated Press.
- Iowa State’s Injury Woes: The Cyclones suffered significant losses with standout defensive backs Jeremiah Cooper and Jontez Williams sidelined by knee injuries before October. Their strong 5-0 start, where they allowed only 14.2 points and 309.6 yards per game, has since been marred by allowing 62 points and 869 total yards in two subsequent losses.
