Utah vs. Cincinnati 2025 CFB: Utes strong favorites

**Utah Utes Set to Host Cincinnati Bearcats in Marquee 2025 Big 12 Clash; Utes Open as Strong Favorites**

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – One of the most anticipated matchups of the upcoming 2025 college football season is slated for Salt Lake City, where the No. 24 Utah Utes are preparing to host the No. 17 Cincinnati Bearcats. This contest marks a significant early-season Big 12 conference game, with early betting lines indicating the Utes as strong favorites, holding a nearly double-digit spread on their home turf at Rice-Eccles Stadium against the Bearcats.

The game is shaping up to be a pivotal fixture for both nationally ranked programs as they navigate the evolving landscape of college football. For Utah, it will be one of their first major tests as a new member of the expanded Big 12 Conference, transitioning from the now-defunct Pac-12. Cincinnati, meanwhile, will be entering its second year in the Big 12, having made the leap from the American Athletic Conference in 2024.

Under the venerable leadership of head coach Kyle Whittingham, Utah has consistently been a top-tier program known for its stout defense and disciplined play. The Utes concluded their Pac-12 tenure with multiple conference championships and a reputation for being formidable at home. Their move to the Big 12 injects new rivalries and challenges, making this game against a fellow ranked opponent crucial for establishing their footing in the new league.

Cincinnati, coached by Scott Satterfield, brings its own legacy of recent success, including a historic College Football Playoff appearance in 2021. While their initial foray into the Big 12 presented a steep learning curve, the Bearcats are expected to build on that experience, aiming to re-establish themselves as a consistent contender. A road victory against a highly-regarded Utah team would be a significant statement for Cincinnati early in their 2025 campaign.

This will mark the first-ever meeting between the Utah Utes and the Cincinnati Bearcats on the gridiron, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest. The historical significance of this inaugural matchup, coupled with its status as a Big 12 conference game, is expected to draw national attention and ignite passion among both fan bases.

Sportsbook oddsmakers have pegged Utah as a considerable favorite, reflecting the Utes’ established program stability under Whittingham, their formidable home-field advantage at the notoriously difficult Rice-Eccles Stadium, and potentially the expectation of a smoother transition into the Big 12 compared to teams that have already spent a year adapting. The nearly double-digit spread suggests a strong belief in Utah’s ability to control the game in front of their home crowd.

While specific kickoff times and broadcast details for the 2025 season are typically announced closer to the academic year, this matchup is already circled on calendars as a must-watch event. It promises to be a physical, hard-fought battle with significant implications for early conference standings, national rankings, and the overall trajectory of both programs in the new era of Big 12 football.