SicEm365 Staff Predictions for Baylor's Road Matchup against Cincinnati
The SicEm365 Staff gives their predictions for Baylor’s (2-4, 1-2) road matchup against Cincinnati (2-4, 0-3). Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Nippert Stadium and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Colt Barber (4-2) — Cincinnati 21, Baylor 14
If Baylor truly does something offensively in terms of utilizing pace and using the passing game to set up the run game, they will have a chance. If Baylor can stop the run and do that, they can win the game. I don’t see it right now, unfortunately.
Brian Ethridge (2-4) — Baylor 31, Cincinnati 21
Baylor knows it can win the game, but is this a detriment or advantage for this team? I just don't see Baylor losing this one for some reason, but if the Bears fall flat, again, the hefty lady's vocal chords are warming up.
Ashley Hodge (2-3) — Cincinnati 31, Baylor 20
Hard to imagine Baylor winning in the trenches on this one.
David Smoak (4-2) — Baylor 27, Cincinnati 23
I “almost “had” no words for the first time in my life; I just have the score and not much explanation other than Emory Jones turns the ball over a lot – eight interceptions this season. Maybe Caden Jenkins will have another momentous play, and it’s enough to get the job done.
Paul Catalina (3-3) — Cincinnati 29, Baylor 23
Maybe the road does Baylor some good, but we need to see wholesale changes before I can commit to calling a win.
Craig Smoak (4-2) — Cincinnati 27, Baylor 20
Two similarly positioned teams, but the newbies get their first Big 12 win on Saturday in front of a home crowd, as Baylor’s bye week adjustments don’t solve their core issues.
Travis Roeder (2-4) — Cincinnati 34, Baylor 21
Cincy runs all over the Bears’ defense and controls the clock while Baylor’s offense struggles in the red zone and struggles to run the ball but will hit some big plays.
Sam Bradshaw (2-2) — Cincinnati 30, Baylor 20
Baylor is able to dial up a few long plays on the outside to keep things interesting while owning the turnover battle and getting an edge on the field position between that and a better kickoff guy getting more touchbacks. However, both teams stall in the red zone, but Cincinnati’s veterans push Baylor’s youth around in the crunch, and their long-range kicker converts 1-2 kicks to stretch the lead.
Kendall Kaut (3-3) — Cincinnati 28, Baylor 20
Really no excuse to lose this one. Cincy is not good, and Baylor is coming off the bye week. I am surprised Baylor didn't change anything up, but I think it will after losing this one.
Grayson Grundhoefer (3-3) — Baylor 27, Cincinnati 24
The week off is key for Baylor in this one as they have been able to adjust some things with the lineup, along with the ways the offense will attack going forward. I expect Blake Shapen to have a big game against a porous pass defense and the Cincy offense is one that shouldn't be able to take advantage of Baylor's weaknesses as easily as other teams. The season is on the line for the Bears. Let's see if they respond.
Jack Mackenzie (4-2) — Cincinnati 35, Baylor 20
Baylor’s defensive weaknesses line up too well with Cincinnati’s offensive strengths. Baylor’s offensive weaknesses line up with Dontay Corleone. Baylor has only held a backup QB and an FCS school under 35 points this year. Red zone struggles also hamper the Bears. This will be the result of all of these things.
Garrett Ross (3-3) — Cincinnati 31, Baylor 24
The week off might have done Baylor some good, but despite any changes to the offense that might have been made, I don’t see it mattering with this offensive line. Both teams desperately need this win, but I just don’t have much faith in this Baylor team.
Emory Winter (3-3) — Cincinnati 28, Baylor 17
I have seen nothing that has shown me Baylor has the ability to move the ball on Cincinnati. That being said, Baylor ultimately falls short because of the offensive line's continued struggles.
Levi Caraway (5-1) — Baylor 27, Cincinnati 24
Cincinnati can get its first Big 12 win if they consistently dominate up front, which they very well might do. But even with Baylor still having massive problems, I arguably have less confidence in a team with Emory Jones as its starting quarterback. Regardless, it’s a sad state of affairs that the Bears are an underdog in this matchup.