Overview
- Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. MDT at Rice-Eccles Stadium, airing on ESPN in the programs’ first-ever meeting.
- Utah quarterback Devon Dampier is expected to return after sitting out the Colorado rout, according to local reports.
- Cincinnati will be without leading rusher Evan Pryor due to injury, increasing the load on Tawee Walker and dual-threat QB Brendan Sorsby.
- Key matchup: Utah’s top-tier rushing attack and pass rush (DE John Henry Daley 9.5 sacks) face a Bearcats offense that leads FBS in sacks allowed and ranks among the most efficient per play.
- Betting markets list Utah around -8.5, and Rece Davis labeled it a “desperation game” for the Utes given Big 12 title tiebreaker pressures.