Overview
- The season opener is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5 at 3:30 p.m. ET at Nippert Stadium and will pit Cincinnati against Boston College.
- Cincinnati will start Georgia Southern transfer JC French IV at quarterback while Boston College will start Division II transfer Mason McKenzie.
- Cincinnati lost safety Ty Goodwill to a reported season-ending Achilles tear in August, a change that affects depth in the Bearcats’ secondary.
- The Bearcats enter with a veteran offensive line led by preseason honorees Evan Tengesdahl and Joe Cotton while Boston College has rebuilt its defense after finishing last in the ACC in total yards allowed in 2025.
- Betting markets list Cincinnati about a 7.5-point favorite and the game is being framed as a measuring point for coaches Scott Satterfield and Bill O’Brien and for whether heavy roster turnover translates into immediate gains.