As Week 3 of the 2025 College Football Regular Season unfolds, the Cincinnati Bearcats will host the Northwestern State Demons at Nippert Stadium. Scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 3:30 PM, the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. The Bearcats, with a 1-1 record, aim to leverage their home-field advantage in this afternoon contest. The Northwestern State Demons enter the game with a challenging start to their season, holding an 0-1 record. Their previous outing resulted in a 66-0 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, highlighting areas that need improvement. As they face Cincinnati, the Demons are keen on turning their season around and earning their first victory. Cincinnati, part of the Big 12 Conference, recently secured a victory against the Bowling Green Falcons with a 34-20 score. The Bearcats will look to build on this momentum and secure another home win. With the Demons listed as major underdogs at a +8000 moneyline, the Bearcats are in a strong position to add another win to their season tally.
Cincinnati vs Northwestern State At a Glance
- Game Location: Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, OH
- Game Time: Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 3:30 PM
- Broadcast: Streaming on ESPN+
- Northwestern State Record: 0-1 on the season
- Cincinnati Bearcats Record: 1-1 this season
- Game Odds: Northwestern State at +8000 moneyline, +45.5 spread
Cincinnati Bearcats: Analyzing the 2025 Season Performance
Offensive Insights
The Cincinnati Bearcats’ offense has demonstrated balanced performance so far in the 2025 season. They have managed to score 51 points, placing them 42nd in the rankings, and their passing game has accumulated 402 yards, ranking 77th. Their rushing attack has been slightly better with 310 yards, ranking 68th, showcasing their ability to keep the ground game effective.
First downs have been a strength for the Bearcats, with 34 first downs placing them 30th in the rankings. This indicates their capability to sustain drives and control the pace of the game. While their passing and rushing ranks are moderate, the Bearcats have shown they can be competitive offensively.
Defensive Overview
On the defensive side, the Bearcats have had a mixed start to their season, allowing 40 points against them, which places them 30th in the rankings. Their defensive line has been effective, securing 7 sacks and ranking 4th, making it a challenging task for opposing quarterbacks. However, the Bearcats have yet to record an interception this season, indicating room for improvement in their pass defense.
Fumbles have been another aspect of their defense with none recovered this season, positioning them 6th in the rankings. The Bearcats will look to improve their turnover game as they progress through the season, aiming to become more opportunistic on defense.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Brendan Sorsby has played a pivotal role in the Bearcats’ offense with 402 passing yards and 3 touchdowns in two games. His performance has him ranked 73rd in passing yards, but he’s shown efficiency by ranking 1st in the team. Sorsby’s ability to avoid interceptions has been crucial, maintaining a clean sheet in that department.
Running back Tawee Walker has led the rushing attack with 85 yards over two games. While his rank of 204th in rushing yards may not be impressive, his involvement is vital for the Bearcats’ offensive strategy. On the receiving end, Cyrus Allen stands out with 8 receptions and 86 yards, contributing to the team’s passing success.
Recent Game Performance
The Bearcats recently secured a 34-20 victory over Bowling Green Falcons at Nippert Stadium. In this game, they recorded 333 passing yards compared to 274 by the Falcons, highlighting their aerial efficiency. However, they trailed in first downs, with the Falcons achieving 21 compared to Cincinnati’s 18.
In their season opener, Cincinnati narrowly lost to Nebraska Cornhuskers 20-17. Despite the defeat, the Bearcats demonstrated a strong rushing game, accumulating 202 yards. Yet, their passing game struggled, managing only 69 yards against Nebraska’s 243.
Upcoming Challenges
The Bearcats are set to take on Northwestern State Demons at home in Nippert Stadium. With a balanced record of 1-1, they aim to capitalize on their home-field advantage. The upcoming game presents an opportunity to improve both offensively and defensively.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-1 (50.0%)
- SU Last 5: 1-1 (50.0%)
- SU as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU in Day Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 1-1 (50.0%)
- ATS as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U All Games: 1-1 (50.0%)
- O/U as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
Northwestern State Demons: Challenges on the Road
Offensive Struggles
The Northwestern State Demons have faced difficulties on the offensive front, currently sitting at 79th in points scored this season. Their passing game ranks 181st, with only 23 yards recorded in their last outing.
The rushing attack hasn’t fared much better, managing just 19 yards, placing them at 164th. Such numbers highlight significant areas that require improvement.
Defensive Efforts
Defensively, the Demons have allowed 66 points this season, ranking them 54th. However, they have shown some strength in pass rushing with 1 sack, positioning them 10th.
Interceptions are a highlight for Northwestern State, as they’ve secured 1 interception, placing them 2nd. Nonetheless, the team has yet to recover any fumbles, an area for potential growth.
Recent Game Analysis
The Demons’ last game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers ended in a challenging 66-0 loss. They managed just 2 first downs, indicating struggles in maintaining possession and moving the chains.
With only 23 passing yards and 19 rushing yards, the offense was unable to make a significant impact. Turnovers were also an issue, with 3 fumbles and 2 interceptions recorded.
Key Players
Quarterback Eli Anderson had a rough start, with just 13 passing yards. Running backs Myion Hicks and Jeremiah James combined for 15 rushing yards, struggling to find any open lanes.
Wide receiver Kody Finley was the top target but managed only a single reception for 3 yards. These players will need to step up for future success.
Betting Trends
- Northwestern State has not covered the spread in their last game.
- The total has gone over in 0 of their last 1 game.
- They are currently on a 1-game losing streak.
Cincinnati vs Northwestern State Prediction: Northwestern State +45.5
The Cincinnati Bearcats are coming off a mixed start to their season with a 1-1 record, which includes a home loss. While they have shown potential on both sides of the ball, covering a massive spread of 45.5 points is a daunting task, even against a team like Northwestern State.
Northwestern State may be struggling with their 0-1 start, but they are not a team that Cincinnati can overlook. Despite their struggles, they have shown resilience defensively, which could help them keep the game within reach of the spread.
Given Cincinnati’s inconsistent performance and Northwestern State’s potential to put up a fight, it seems likely that the Demons will cover the spread of +45.5. Expect Cincinnati to win comfortably, but Northwestern State should manage to stay within the point margin.
The projected final score supports this, with Cincinnati winning 45-10, which is just below the spread threshold. This suggests a bet on Northwestern State +45.5 is the more prudent choice.
- Cincinnati vs Northwestern State Prediction: Northwestern State +45.5
- Cincinnati vs Northwestern State Score: Cincinnati 45 – Northwestern State 10
