Cincinnati football: 3 bold predictions for toughest test since Notre Dame

The Cincinnati football team is preparing to compete in its toughest conference game of the season against Dallas-based SMU.

The Bearcats meet their most formidable opponent of 2021 since facing (and defeating) Notre Dame early in the season. SMU currently boasts one of the most talented gunslingers among all Group of Five teams. Head Coach Sonny Dykes is also one of the best coaches and a great matchup for Cincinnati’s Luke Fickel.

Let’s take a look at three bold predictions for this American Athletic Conference football game, featuring two of its best teams this season.

No 1 . Cincinnati Bearcats Head Coach Luke Fickell will out-scheme SMU’s Sonny Dykes

You’ve heard both of these coaches as desirable candidates for several Power Five head coach openings and for good reason— they’re great coaches that have built defunct programs into powerhouses.

Dykes is 30-15 (.666) since taking over the Mustangs full-time in 2018 and Fickell is 45-14 (.763) since being inserted as head coach at Cincinnati in 2017.

Will Dykes’ offense best Fickell’s defense? It’s going to be quite a show for fans to see which will come out on top.

Dykes has done a nice job course correcting after SMU lost two consecutive games and ignoring his name being linked to Power Five teams.

Fickell is going to have his team focused and ready to roll at home against SMU.