With a shared Big East history and closer geographic proximity compared to other Big 12 teams, many wonder if West Virginia (WVU) and Cincinnati could develop a genuine rivalry. Head coach Neal Brown is open to the possibility but believes it must be earned on the field. When asked about establishing a rivalry, Brown said, “You can’t manufacture it, you gotta make it on the field. But I think it’s a game that should be played every single year.”
Despite this sentiment, WVU and Cincinnati won’t meet in 2025, even after playing each other in Cincinnati’s first two seasons in the Big 12. WVU currently holds a strong historical edge in the series, leading 17-3-1, though this season’s odds slightly favor Cincinnati.
Both teams return from bye weeks and are aiming to end the season on a positive note. Oddsmakers have Cincinnati as a 3.5-point favorite on DraftKings and FanDuel, with Circa Sports setting the Bearcats at -4.
WVU enters the matchup at 4-4 (3-2 in Big 12 play), while Cincinnati stands at 5-3 (3-2 in the Big 12). The teams last faced each other in 2023 when WVU secured a commanding 42-21 win in Morgantown in their first Big 12 conference clash.
West Virginia also experienced a drop in ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) during their bye week, slipping six spots from 48 to 54, while Cincinnati saw a smaller decline, now at No. 40.
