Cincinnati Bearcats

The Cincinnati Bearcats represent the University of Cincinnati, competing in the Big 12 Conference from historic Nippert Stadium—one of the oldest continuous-use football venues in the nation, nestled in the heart of campus. The Bearcats have emerged as a perennial power under recent leadership, earning College Football Playoff appearances and proving that Group of Five programs can compete with anyone. Cincinnati's aggressive defensive style and balanced offensive approach have become hallmarks of the program. The passionate fanbase fills Nippert's intimate confines, creating one of college football's most electric atmospheres. The Bearcats' transition to the Big 12 in 2024 marked the culmination of a remarkable rise through the ranks of college football.

Cincinnati football began in 1885, making it one of the older programs in the sport, though it spent most of its history in mid-major conferences before its recent ascent. The Bearcats rose to national prominence under Brian Kelly and later Luke Fickell, with the 2021 season culminating in an unprecedented CFP semifinal appearance as a Group of Five champion. Nippert Stadium, opened in 1915 and renovated throughout the decades, stands on the same site where the Bearcats have played for over a century. The rivalry with Miami (Ohio), known as the 'Battle for the Victory Bell,' is the oldest non-conference rivalry in college football, dating to 1888. Cincinnati's journey from conference also-ran to CFP participant embodies the modern era's expanded possibilities in college football.