The Stone Shields Show: Cincinnati Bengals, Reds, Bearcats Daily Sports Talk

Bengals Trade Deadline Fallout, CFB Top 10 After First College Football Playoff Rankings, Colts Make HUGE Mistake

On today's editon of the show we discuss Cincinnati Bengals fallout after the trade deadline, discuss the 3 major trades that went down in the NFL yesterday, why the Seahawks won big and the Colts lost, College Football Top 10 after first College Football Playoff Rankings and sports headlines including Duke's win over Texas and the Bulls' comeback win over the 76ers.
On a fateful November Tuesday in 2025, as the trade deadline clock ticked down, the Cincinnati Bengals pulled off their lone maneuver: shipping linebacker Logan Wilson to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 seventh-round pick. Duke Tobin's quixotic swap didn't just stun the Queen City—it ignited a firestorm of second-guessing that could scorch the franchise's playoff hopes. In a season already teetering on Burrow's bum wrist and a defense riddled with holes, this felt less like strategy and more like surrender.
Wilson, the Wyoming product turned Bengal beast, was no ordinary cog. Since his 2020 third-round selection, he'd amassed 245 tackles, four picks, and a sideline-to-sideline menace that masked the unit's vulnerabilities. At 29, he was the vocal leader, the coverage maestro who neutralized stars like Travis Kelce and CeeDee Lamb in past clashes. Trading him away? It's akin to yanking the keystone from an archway—everything wobbles. With Germaine Pratt sidelined and rookie prospects unproven, the Bengals' linebacker corps now looks like a ghost town, primed for exploitation by divisional bruisers like Baltimore's Derrick Henry.
And for what? A seventh-rounder, the draft's afterthought, a flier that might net a long-snapper or a camp body. Dallas, ever the opportunists under Jerry Jones, slots Wilson seamlessly into their revamped front seven, bolstering Micah Parsons' chaos and fortifying against NFC East slugfests. It's a heist that elevates the Cowboys' Super Bowl odds while leaving Cincinnati clutching vapors.
Tobin's defense? Salary cap gymnastics and a pivot to "versatile youth." But with Ja'Marr Chase demanding targets amid offensive woes, gutting the D for pocket lint reeks of shortsightedness. Fan fury erupted on Bengals boards—jersey bonfires, #FireDuke trending—echoing the 2023 collapse. As December looms with Ravens rematches and Steelers grudge matches, this move isn't bold; it's baffling. The Bengals, once AFC North predators, now prowl as prey. That seventh-round dream might sprout a diamond, but Wilson's void will echo louder in the cold. In a league of sharks, Cincinnati just fed the chum line.
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Bengals Trade Logan Wilson To Cowboys, NFL Power Rankings, Hugh Freeze Replacements, Francona Manger OTY Finalist

On today's show Stone reacts to the Bengals trading Logan Wilson to the Cowboys, breaks down his power rankings going into Week 10, discusses some Hugh Freeze replacements at Auburn and talks about Terry Francona being a finalist for Manger of the Year.
In a gut-wrenching pivot that reeks of surrender, the Cincinnati Bengals have shipped off defensive anchor Logan Wilson to the Dallas Cowboys for a measly 2026 seventh-round draft pick. The trade, finalized on the eve of the deadline, underscores a franchise in freefall—sitting at 3-6 with a defense hemorrhaging yards and points. Wilson, the 28-year-old Wyoming product who's patrolled the middle for Cincinnati since 2020, was unceremoniously benched last week for rookie phenom Barrett Carter. Now, he's gone, leaving a leadership vacuum in a locker room already reeling from injuries to key pieces like Sam Hubbard and DJ Reader.
Drafted in the third round, Wilson evolved into a tackling machine: 450 stops, 5.5 sacks, four picks, and back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances in 2022-23. His rangy coverage and bone-crushing hits were linchpins during the Bengals' 2021 Super Bowl charge. Locked into a team-friendly four-year, $13.3 million extension through 2026, he seemed like the glue holding Lou Anarumo's scheme together. But with Joe Burrow's $275 million albatross and Ja'Marr Chase's extension looming, cap constraints forced Duke Tobin's hand. Trading a proven captain for late-round lottery tickets? It's the kind of "asset management" that fans label as malpractice, sparking boycotts and viral rants across Who Dey Nation.
For Dallas, it's highway robbery. The 5-4 Cowboys, limping through linebacker carnage—DeMarvion Overshown's ACL tear and Leighton Vander Esch's heartbreaking retirement—snag Wilson at fire-sale prices. A Texas kid returning home, he'll slide seamlessly into Mike Zimmer's aggressive front, turbocharging a run defense mired at 22nd in the league. Imagine him scheming alongside Micah Parsons and Damone Clark: explosive blitzes, sure tackles, and maybe a NFC East crown. Jerry Jones, ever the opportunist, hoards cap space for Dak Prescott's payday while flipping the script on a middling season.
This deal exposes Cincinnati's crossroads: full rebuild or desperate patch? Wilson's void exposes green talent like Carter and Oren Burks to the wolves, testing resolve in a brutal AFC North. Dallas, meanwhile, reloads for a Lombardi chase. In the NFL's cutthroat calculus, a seventh-rounder might birth the next gem—or just another bust. For now, it's Wilson's Lone Star redemption arc, and the Bengals' harsh reality check. Football's poetry in motion, served with a side of regret.
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Bengals IMPOSSIBLY Bad Defense Ruins Joe Flacco Masterclass, Dodgers Steal World Series After All Time Game 7

On today's edition of the show, we discuss another horrid performance for the Bengals defensively in a back-breaking loss to the Bears, Zac Taylor & Duke Tobin, Joe Flacco's all time performance and the Dodgers stealing the World Series after an incredible Game 7.
In a game that had everything but a happy ending for Cincinnati, the Bengals fell 47-42 to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, November 2, 2025, in a fourth-quarter thriller that encapsulated their maddening 2025 season. What began with Charlie Jones' electric 98-yard kickoff return touchdown just 11 seconds in devolved into yet another devastating loss, dropping the Bengals to a dismal 3-6 and burying any faint playoff hopes deeper.
Joe Flacco, filling in admirably for the injured Joe Burrow, etched his name in the record books with a career-high 470 passing yards—his second straight monster outing in defeat. Tee Higgins torched Chicago for 121 yards and two scores, including a 44-yard bomb that gave Cincinnati a halftime edge at 20-17. Ja'Marr Chase added 111 yards on six catches, proving the Bengals' offense remains an explosive force capable of 42 points. They even rallied from a 41-27 deficit late, with Flacco hitting Noah Fant for a touchdown, a successful two-point conversion to Higgins, and an onside kick recovery by Joseph Ossai leading to a go-ahead score to Andrei Iosivas with 54 seconds left.
But devastation struck when Bears quarterback Caleb Williams— in a performance for the ages—scrambled for 14 yards before lofting a 58-yard game-winner to Colston Loveland with 17 seconds to play. Loveland shook off two Bengals defenders to seal it, highlighting Cincinnati's porous defense, dead last in the NFL, which surrendered a staggering 576 total yards, including 283 on the ground from Kyle Monangai's 176-yard rampage.
This marks the Bengals' sixth high-scoring loss (30+ points) in the last year-plus, a cruel pattern that screams squandered potential. At 3-6 after their bye, facing Pittsburgh next on November 16 feels like a funeral march. Burrow's absence looms large, but even with firepower, the D's black hole devours dreams. Fans are left reeling—another "what if" in a season of soul-crushing near-misses. How much more can the Queen City take?
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Another Bengals Trade Request, Bengals vs. Bears, College Football Weekend Preview, Best Bets Of The Weekend, Fire Mike McDaniel?

On today's show we discuss the latest Bengals trade request, preview Bengals vs. Bears, react to Thursday Night Football as Stone explains why the Dolphins easily could have had the lead at halftime, college football weekend preview ft. Vanderbilt vs. Texas, Oklahoma vs. Tennessee & Cincinnati vs. Utah + Stone's Best Bets Of The Weekend.
In a stunning development just days before the NFL trade deadline, Cincinnati Bengals second-year defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson has formally requested a trade or outright release from the team, marking the third such plea from a Bengals defender this season. The news, first reported by ESPN's Ben Baby, underscores mounting frustrations within a Bengals defense that has surrendered the third-most rushing yards in the league through eight games, ranking 29th overall in points allowed. 
Jackson, selected 96th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M, entered the league with high expectations as a disruptive interior lineman. At 6-foot-2 and 328 pounds, he boasted a college pedigree of 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks over two seasons with the Aggies, drawing comparisons to a young B.J. Hill for his quick first step and run-stuffing prowess. Yet, his rookie year was marred by a knee injury that limited him to just six games, where he recorded a modest 12 tackles and no sacks. This 2025 campaign has been even more perplexing: Jackson has been a healthy scratch for five of eight contests under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, logging only 18 snaps in the two appearances he did make. 
The timing of Jackson's request is particularly telling, coming on the heels of edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (who sought a trade in Week 5 over contract disputes) and linebacker Logan Wilson (who followed suit last week, citing limited snaps in sub-packages). Sources indicate Jackson's dissatisfaction stems from a perceived lack of opportunity behind veterans like Sheldon Rankins and B.J. Hill, coupled with whispers of a looming contract extension that feels premature given his bench role. "It's a cry for playing time where he can develop," one league insider told Bleacher Report, noting Jackson's raw talent remains untapped. 
For the Bengals (4-4), already reeling from injuries to key pieces like D.J. Reader, this exodus signals deeper schematic issues. GM Duke Tobin faces a high-stakes decision by November 4: Trade Jackson—a former top-100 pick—for a mid-round pick or risk losing him to free agency in 2027 on a prove-it deal. Potential suitors include run-weak fronts like the Pittsburgh Steelers or Detroit Lions, where Jackson could slot in as a rotational piece immediately.  If no deal materializes, a release seems unlikely, but it could further erode locker room morale.
As Cincinnati prepares for a pivotal Thursday night clash with the Chicago Bears, Jackson's saga encapsulates a Bengals defense at a crossroads—talented on paper, but fractured in execution. Will Tobin pull the trigger, or double down on continuity? The deadline clock is ticking, and Who Dey Nation holds its breath.
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Bengals News On Joe Flacco & Trade Deadline, Ravens vs. Dolphins Preview, Blue Jays Roll In Game 5 Behind Rookie Trey Yesavage

On today's edition of the show we discuss Joe Flacco's outlook for Bears game due to AC joint injury, Bengals trade deadline conversation, Thursday Night Football preview and Trey Yesavage's dominance in Game 5 of the World Series.
As the Cincinnati Bengals prepare to host the Chicago Bears this Sunday in Week 9, the shadow of quarterback Joe Burrow's injury continues to darken their playoff hopes. Burrow, the 2022 NFL passing yards leader, has been sidelined since early October after suffering a severe turf toe injury to his left big toe during a Week 4 loss to the Ravens. Requiring surgery, the ailment—a ligament tear in the toe joint—typically demands three months of recovery, pushing his anticipated return to mid-December. Head coach Zac Taylor provided an encouraging update Wednesday, noting Burrow's rehab is progressing "as hoped" with no setbacks, though he offered no revised timeline. Fans caught a glimpse of optimism when Burrow was spotted boot-free at practice this week, a step forward from his sidelined appearances in a protective walking boot.
For this weekend's matchup, Burrow's absence is all but certain, compounding the Bengals' quarterback carousel. Veteran Joe Flacco, who stepped in admirably with 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns in four starts, now grapples with an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder sustained against the Jets. Taylor labeled Flacco's status a "50-50" proposition after he skipped Wednesday's practice, leaving third-stringer Jake Browning as the likely starter. Browning, who went 1-2 in Burrow's initial absence, brings poise but lacks the star power to elevate a 3-5 Bengals squad already battered by injuries to key defenders like Trey Hendrickson.
The ripple effects are stark: Cincinnati's offense, once explosive under Burrow's precision (career 68% completion rate), has sputtered without him, averaging just 18 points per game in his starts' void. Facing a Bears defense that's forced 12 turnovers despite their own secondary woes, the Bengals enter as +2.5 underdogs. Social media buzz reflects the frustration—posts joking about Burrow suiting up underscore the desperation. 
Yet, silver linings emerge. Burrow's December target aligns with a softer late-season slate, potentially fueling a playoff push if the Bengals string wins together. For now, though, this Bears tilt tests their depth, resilience, and whether Browning can channel Burrow's cool amid the chaos. At 3-5, every snap without No. 9 feels like borrowed time in a brutal AFC North.
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Xavier Basketball Preview With Paul Fritschner, Bengals Roster Moves With Craig Sandlin, CFB Top 10, Buy Or Sell

On today's special 2 hour edition of The Stone Shields Show we talk Xavier hoops with Paul Fritschner, Bengals roster moves and news ahead of Bears game with Craig Sandlin, Stone's CFB Top 10 and Buy Or Sell with Casey McCollister.
In a pivotal shake-up ahead of their Week 9 clash with the Chicago Bears, the Cincinnati Bengals executed three significant roster transactions on Tuesday, October 28. Sitting at 3-5 and desperate to ignite a playoff push before the November 4 trade deadline, the team prioritized health management and depth optimization. 
The headline move was the release of veteran defensive tackle Mike Pennel. The 11th-year pro, who joined Cincinnati earlier this season, appeared in eight games, logging rotational snaps at nose tackle. However, his playing time dwindled after the initial weeks amid a crowded interior line featuring B.J. Hill, Sheldon Rankins, and rookies like McKinnley Jackson. Pennel, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, reportedly requested his release and is already visiting Kansas City for a potential reunion. 
Compounding defensive woes, the Bengals placed linebacker Shaka Heyward on injured reserve with a fibula injury. The special teams ace, who provided depth behind Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson, will miss at least four weeks. Similarly, center Matt Lee landed on IR due to a knee issue, sidelining the depth piece behind Ted Karras and rookie Dylan Fairchild. 
These moves cleared three spots on the 53-man roster (down to 50 players), signaling aggressive intent from GM Duke Tobin. Speculation abounds: Could DE Cedric Johnson return from IR? Might they promote practice squad LB Joe Giles-Harris for special teams? Or, with the deadline looming, pursue a trade for defensive reinforcements like a disruptive DT or edge rusher to bolster a unit allowing 26.5 points per game? 
For a Bengals squad leaning on Joe Burrow's return and Joe Flacco's steady hand, these adjustments underscore urgency. A win over Chicago could vault them into wildcard contention, but roster tweaks are mission-critical. Who Dey Nation watches closely—expect more fireworks soon
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Bengals Defense Holds Player Only Meeting, NFL Week 9 Power Rankings, Brian Kelly Replacements At LSU

On today's show we discuss the Bengals holding a players only meeting on defense, NFL Power Rankings going into Week 9, Brian Kelly replacements at LSU and the Dodgers taking Game 3 of the World Series in 18 innings.
In the wake of a humiliating 39-38 home loss to the winless New York Jets on October 26, the Cincinnati Bengals' defense convened a players-only meeting the following day, October 27, exposing deep frustrations within the unit. This gut-wrenching defeat—marked by over 500 yards allowed and a franchise-worst 39 points surrendered at Paycor Stadium—left the Bengals at 3-5, clinging to fading playoff hopes in the loaded AFC North. 
Linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr., a vocal leader, confirmed the gathering was spearheaded by captains and veteran defenders, emphasizing accountability without coaches present. "It was about owning our mistakes and recommitting to the standard we set last year," Knight told reporters, highlighting a meltdown where Jets quarterback Justin Fields diced up the secondary for 312 passing yards and three touchdowns. Defensive coordinator Al Golden, addressing the media post-meeting, framed it as a "sense of urgency" moment: "These guys are pros—they know when to look in the mirror."
This isn't isolated turmoil. Cincinnati's defense, once a Joe Burrow-enabling force, ranks 29th in points allowed (27.1 per game) and dead last in red-zone efficiency, plagued by injuries to stars like Sam Hubbard and inconsistent tackling. The meeting echoes past Bengals resets, like the 2022 sideline blowups that fueled a Super Bowl run, but with higher stakes now—facing a brutal schedule including the Steelers and Ravens.
Fans on X buzzed with mixed reactions, from memes mocking the "Jets curse" to calls for Golden's job. Yet, optimism lingers: Lou Anarumo's scheme, if tweaked, could harness young talents like Knight and rookie Jowon Briggs. As Burrow slingshots the offense toward contention, the D must evolve from embarrassment to elite. This meeting? A spark, not a surrender. The Who Dey nation awaits proof.
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Bengals Defense Shredded By Jets In Worst Loss In A Decade, Fire Duke Tobin?

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we discuss the Bengals unthinkable loss at home to the Jets and breakdown how this is an organizational failure for Cincinnati.
In a gut-wrenching finish at Paycor Stadium, the Cincinnati Bengals squandered a 15-point fourth-quarter lead, falling 39-38 to the winless New York Jets on October 26, 2025. The defeat drops Cincinnati to 3-5, extending their skid to five losses in six games and intensifying scrutiny on a season teetering on the edge of playoff contention.For the Jets (now 1-7), it was a cathartic first victory, fueled by an explosive 502-yard offensive outburst—their highest scoring game of the year.
The Bengals dominated early, racing to a 24-10 halftime bulge behind a resurgent ground attack that racked up 181 rushing yards—their most since late 2023. Joe Flacco, the 40-year-old veteran quarterback, orchestrated the assault with poise, completing 21 of 34 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns, including a 44-yard strike to Tee Higgins that extended his NFL-longest eight-game home touchdown streak. Chase Brown dazzled with dual-threat flair, hauling in a 19-yard touchdown catch-and-run before plunging in from a yard out in the fourth, while Samaje Perine bulldozed for 94 yards and a 32-yard score. Ja'Marr Chase, the league's reception leader with 70, snared 12 balls for 91 yards, underscoring Cincinnati's aerial potency. 
Yet, the script flipped disastrously in the final frame. After Brown's go-ahead 1-yard run made it 38-24 with 10:21 left, the Jets erupted for 23 unanswered points, capping the surge with Breece Hall's audacious 4-yard trick-play touchdown pass to Mason Taylor at 1:54—his first career aerial attempt. Hall's 133 rushing yards and two scores epitomized New York's 255-yard ground avalanche, exposing Cincinnati's defensive frailties, particularly without injured DE Trey Hendrickson. 
On the Bengals' desperate final drive, Flacco—banged up from a late sack—marched to midfield but fired two incompletions, sealing a turnover on downs amid boos from the 65,526 in attendance. "We had this right in our grasp," lamented coach Zac Taylor, calling the lapse "humbling" and "not acceptable." Flacco echoed the frustration: "A few plays don't hit... and you don't convert." Brown, optimistic about the run game's momentum, urged focus: "We just need to finish.
This collapse—scoring 38 points yet losing—highlights deeper woes: an inability to close games and a run defense hemorrhaging yards. With a grueling schedule ahead, Taylor's mantra rings true: "It's still all on the table," but the margin for error has vanished. The Bengals must regroup swiftly, lest this "difficult season" spirals irretrievably.
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Logan Wilson Requests Trade, Bengals Keys To Victory vs. Jets, College Football Weekend Preview, Best Bets Of The Weekend

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we discuss Logan Wilson's decision to request a trade, keys to victory for the Bengals vs. the Jets, Stone's Collage Football Weekend Preview ft. Missouri vs. Vanderbilt and Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma, and Best Bets Of The Weekend.
In a stunning development amid the Cincinnati Bengals' turbulent 2025 season, veteran linebacker Logan Wilson has formally requested a trade, as first reported by ESPN on October 23. The 29-year-old, a third-round pick out of Wyoming in 2020 and a newly minted defensive captain, cited a sharp decline in his playing time as the catalyst for his dissatisfaction. Once a cornerstone of Cincinnati's linebacker corps, Wilson's frustration underscores the team's ongoing defensive woes and a pattern of player discontent.
Wilson's benching saga began in earnest during Week 6's loss to the Green Bay Packers, where he logged a mere 19.7% of defensive snaps—his lowest since becoming a starter. The following week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, his usage ticked up slightly to 47.5%, but it was still a far cry from his full-time role earlier in the year. Rookies Demetrius Knight (second-round pick) and Barrett Carter (fourth-round) have supplanted him, reflecting head coach Zac Taylor's push for youth integration. Despite this, Wilson has maintained professionalism, with Carter praising his mentorship to ESPN. On the season, Wilson has tallied 41 tackles, four passes defended, and a fumble recovery, but his Pro Football Focus grade sits at a middling 58.6—down from top-25 rankings in prior years.
This isn't Wilson's first brush with adversity. A knee injury sidelined him for six games in 2024, yet he rebounded with 104 tackles upon return. His 2023 extension, a four-year, $36 million deal through 2027, made him one of the NFL's better-paid off-ball linebackers. Career stats—313 solo tackles, 11 interceptions, and a Super Bowl appearance in 2021—paint him as a proven commodity. Now, with the November 4 trade deadline looming, Wilson's request joins a Bengals exodus: recent trade pleas from Jonah Williams, Tee Higgins, Trey Hendrickson, and Germaine Pratt (who was cut and bounced to multiple teams).
Potential suitors abound. ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky pitches the Dallas Cowboys, whose defense leaks 29.4 points per game; Wilson's tackling prowess could shore up their front seven. The Indianapolis Colts, under ex-Bengals DC Lou Anarumo, loom as a natural fit, while the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers eye linebacker depth. Analysts peg his value at a late Day 3 pick, given his contract and age (he turns 30 in July).
For the Bengals (3-4 after snapping a skid), this is another gut punch. Cincinnati's reluctance for in-season deals complicates matters, but retaining a disgruntled captain risks locker-room fractures. Wilson's saga highlights a franchise in flux: talent-rich yet retention-poor. As the deadline nears, will the Bengals honor his plea for a fresh start, or double down on their rebuild? Either way, it's a pivotal moment for a player who's embodied Bengal resilience—until now.
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Bengals vs. Jets Injury News, Cincinnati Bearcats Look To Stay Hot vs. Baylor, Russell Wilson Claps Back At Sean Payton, NBA Season Predictions

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we discuss Bengals injury news going into Jets week, Cincinnati Bearcats football ahead of Saturday's matchup with Baylor, Russell Wilson clapping back at Season Payton and NBA season predictions with surprising championship pick.
The Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) host the winless New York Jets (0-7) on Sunday, October 26, at Paycor Stadium, a matchup ripe for a Bengals bounce-back. Without star QB Joe Burrow sidelined by injury, veteran Joe Flacco has stepped in admirably, torching the Pittsburgh Steelers for 342 yards and three touchdowns in a thrilling 33-31 upset last Thursday. Flacco's poise has unlocked Cincinnati's explosive offense, led by Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who combined for 12 catches and 180 yards against Pittsburgh. The Bengals' aerial attack ranks top-10 in yards per game, and with a stout home defense allowing just 20 points per contest at Paycor, expect them to exploit New York's porous secondary.
The Jets, meanwhile, are in freefall, mired in QB chaos after benching Justin Fields for Tyrod Taylor, who mustered a measly six points in a 13-6 loss to Carolina. Their offense ranks dead last in passing (143 yards/game) and has failed to score a touchdown in eight quarters, scoring a league-worst 15.7 points per game. Despite elite corner Sauce Gardner's All-Pro play, New York's run game sputters (3.8 yards/carry), and injuries to key receivers like Garrett Wilson (questionable, concussion) compound the misery. Defensively, they've forced turnovers but can't stop the run, yielding 120 yards per game.
Odds favor Cincinnati by 6.5 points (O/U 44.5), with experts projecting a 27-17 Bengals win—Flacco's stability versus the Jets' disarray tips the scales. A Bengals victory could vault them toward playoff contention; for New York, it's do-or-die to avoid infamy as the season's biggest bust.
No. 21 Cincinnati Bearcats (6-1, 4-0 Big 12) welcome the Baylor Bears (4-3, 2-2) on Saturday, October 25, at Nippert Stadium for homecoming, a pivotal Big 12 tilt broadcast on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. ET. The Bearcats, tied atop the conference with BYU, ride a six-game win streak after dismantling Oklahoma State 49-17 last week. QB Brendan Sorsby dazzled with 270 passing yards, three TDs, and a rushing score, fueling an offense averaging 37.9 points (15th nationally). Cincinnati's ground game hums at 6.1 yards per carry (5th in FBS), with Evan Pryor and Xaviah Bussey gashing defenses, while their red-zone efficiency is unmatched (100% scoring rate). Defensively, they rank top-25 in points allowed (18.3/game), primed to stifle Baylor's leaky backfield.
Baylor arrives off a frustrating 42-36 road loss at TCU, where QB Sawyer Robertson threw for 318 yards but three picks in a 31.4 points-allowed nightmare (118th nationally). The Bears' pass-heavy attack (36.3 points/game, 25th) boasts big-play potential—Ashtyn Hawkins snared seven catches for 95 yards last out—but their secondary crumbles, yielding 227 passing yards per game. Road warriors at 2-1, Baylor's 4.4 yards allowed per rush invites Cincinnati's balanced blitz.
Bearcats are 3.5-point favorites (O/U 67.5), with models giving them a 57-43 edge in a projected 35-28 shootout. Nippert's raucous crowd (undefeated at home) and Sorsby's hot hand should extend UC's streak, solidifying their championship pedigree in Year 4 of the Big 12 era.
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