Cincinnati Bearcats football moves up in US LBM Coaches, AP polls

• The Cincinnati Bearcats football team moved up to No. 21 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll.
• Cincinnati defeated Oklahoma State 49-17, improving their record to 6-1 for the season.

In the latest Sunday, Oct. 26 US LBM Coaches poll, the Cincinnati Bearcats are now No. 21.

The Bearcats came into their game at Oklahoma State ranked No. 24 and won going away 49-17 over the Cowboys to go to 6-1 (4-0 Big 12). They are tied with BYU atop the league standings as the Cougars defeated Utah 24-21 in the “Holy War” in Provo Oct. 18 shortly after UC walloped the Cowboys.

Quarterback Brendan Sorsby was 20-for-29 passing for 270 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score. Cyrus Allen caught two of Sorsby’s touchdown tosses and also had a rushing tally. Sorsby’s other scoring pass went to Joe Royer, who led the Bearcats with five receptions for 63 yards.

Matthew McDoom had UC’s first interception of the year, a pick-six for 100 yards and a school record.

The Associated Press poll also had the Bearcats at No. 21.

From 2018 to 2022 under Luke Fickell, UC had teams in both Top 25s, especially in the 2020-2021 seasons, when they were consistently ranked each week. Before that, UC went from 2013-2017 not ranked. They’ve now been ranked in back-to-back weeks for the first time since last Nov. 13 (No. 22) and Nov. 20 (No. 21) after wins over East Carolina and Temple, respectively.

Up ahead for Cincinnati Bearcats

UC hosts Baylor for the second time in three years as the Bears are in for a 4 p.m. kickoff with the game on ESPN2 or ESPNU. Baylor lost at TCU 42-36 on Saturday. A game time for their Nov. 1 road date at Utah should be announced early in the week.