Cincinnati brings dominant offensive line into test vs. UCF

Coming off a win over then-No. 14 Iowa State on Saturday, its first over a ranked team in head coach Scott Satterfield's tenure, Cincinnati is on the cusp of the AP Top 25.

Cincinnati (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) is 2-0 in the Big 12 for the first time in three seasons as a Power Four program, and expectations are rising both inside and outside the program as it prepares to host UCF on Saturday.

The Bearcats, for starters, are one of three teams in the country to allow only one sack through six weeks. Their offensive line has been named the Big 12 Offensive Line of the Week three times, including for their performance this past week, when they paved the way for the Bearcats' 260 rushing yards and 474 total yards in a 38-30 upset.

Quarterback Brendan Sorsby has thrown for 12 touchdowns and just one interception this season, with that one interception coming against Nebraska in Week 1. He's also rushed for 291 yards and five touchdowns.

"This offensive line group is special. I believe that," Bearcats center Gavin Gerhardt said. "We have gotten better as time moves on."

"It starts with (offensive line) Coach (Nic) Cardwell. I don't think there is a better offensive line coach in the country. I have had three offensive line coaches in my career, but Coach Cardwell is the best offensive line coach for many reasons."

Cincinnati's offensive line will face a stiff test against the visiting Knights.

UCF (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) boasts a strong defensive front, which has recorded nine sacks and 29 tackles for loss through five games. The Knights are coming off a 27-20 home loss to Kansas, where they were stuffed on three straight runs from the 1-yard line late in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Tayven Jackson left with an injury in the third quarter and was wearing a sling on the sideline later in the game. This was one week after he left UCF's game against Kansas State with a sprained left shoulder joint.

If Jackson can't go Saturday, it will be Cam Fancher at quarterback for the Knights.

"This team is good enough to win some of these games, and we just have to be much better in all phases, and more consistent," head coach Scott Frost said. "We're awfully close to where we need to be to win some of these games. We haven't done it yet."

The winner of Saturday's game will take the lead in the all-time series, 6-5. Cincinnati won last year's meeting 19-13 on the road. Its last home win against UCF was in 2021, the same season Cincinnati went to the College Football Playoff.

--Field Level Media