The Arizona Wildcats will host the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday in the first matchup between the two programs in Tucson, and just the second ever after last year's 30-24 win for Arizona in Cincinnati.
Arizona (3-1, 0-1 in Big 12) is looking to avoid a 0-2 start in conference play, which has not happened since 2021, while the Bearcats are hoping to stay undefeated after what has been a very nice 4-0 start to the season.
Cincinnati is 1-0 in league play after a 31-26 win over Kansas State in Week 4, once again picking up a victory thanks to their completely dominant ground attack - a major area of concern for the Wildcats in this one.
Arizona faces a major test against Cincinnati’s run game
Cincinnati Bearcats running back Cole Tabb (3) reacts to scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Kansas State Wildcats at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, September 26, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Cincinnati is seventh in the country with 1,080 rushing yards on the season, with West Virginia and UCLA the only power conference teams ahead of them heading into Week 5.
Notre Dame transfer Gi'Bran Payne (368 yards, two touchdowns) and Stanford transfer Cole Tabb (311 yards, 11.1 yards per carry) have formed an absolutely dominant tandem in the backfield, and the dominant run game has allowed Cincinnati to play extremely efficiently all season long - with just two lost fumbles and zero other turnovers on the year.
Arizona will have to stuff the run and force Bearcats quarterback JC French into mistakes on Saturday, otherwise Cincinnati will dominate time of possession and could ultimately secure a fifth straight victory while sending the Wildcats to a disastrous 0-2 start in Big 12 play.
Can Arizona capitalize on Cincinnati’s first road game?
Nov 23, 2013; Tucson, AZ, USA; Students in the Arizona Wildcats zona zoo section display a flag | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Cincinnati's 4-0 start has come entirely at home, which should work in Arizona's favor. Not only are the Bearcats making their first road trip of the season, but they are also coming out west for a very late 8:00 PM PT kickoff, where they will hopefully meet a rowdy Zona Zoo crowd.
French transferred from Georgia State, and a truly hostile road environment could get the super efficient quarterback rattled - while Arizona's defense has started to come around as of late, particularly in the secondary.
The Wildcats have come out of the gate very slowly the past few games, something they must avoid on Saturday to avoid giving the Bearcats early momentum on the road. An early lead for Cincinnati means even more running of the football, something the Wildcats have to try to avoid at all costs.
Below is a look at how to watch, stream, and listen to Arizona take on Cincinnati this Saturday in Tucson:
How to watch Arizona vs. Cincinnati
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Game time: 8:00 PM PT
Where: Casino Del Sol Stadium (Tucson, AZ)
How to listen: Wildcats Radio 1290 AM
How to stream: Sling.tv
How to watch: FOX
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