Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Scott Satterfield is excited to open the season against the Nebraska football team. Here's hoping that excitement fades once the game kicks off at Arrowhead Stadium on August 28.
"You're not playing an FCS team or something to start a year," Satterfield said at Big 12 Media Days this week. "We feel like we've got to be hitting on all cylinders when you're starting the season playing against a team like Nebraska. There's been a little bit more sense of urgency, I think, in our building throughout the summer, getting ready for this first game. We know it'll be a great challenge and a great test."
Nebraska football faces eager Cincinnati in high-stakes Arrowhead Stadium opener
"It's going to be an outstanding atmosphere for this game," Satterfield added. "It'll be full of people – I'm sure it'll be a sellout. It'll be a bunch of people wearing red at this game." Satterfield said that last with a bit of a smile. Both Nebraska football and Cincy fans will be wearing red in a place where red is often worn, considering it's the home of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The optimism pouring off Satterfield might look odd to onlookers, considering his team went just 5-7 in 2024. However, the Bearcats coaching staff thinks it's improved its roster.
There's also the worry that Nebraska won't be firing on all cylinders yet. It's working with a new defensive coordinator and a new defense. NU is also just 4-5 in openers since 2015 and hasn't beaten a power conference opponent (or won away from Lincoln) to start a season since 2003.
While it's expected that Arrowhead will feel like a home game for the Nebraska football team, considering it will be easier to travel to Kansas City from Nebraska than Ohio, it won't really be a home game. There will still be that feeling that they're somewhere else. Until the Huskers prove their mental issues that have plagued them, especially in close games, are over, Scott Satterfield should be plenty optimistic for a program-defining upset to open the Bearcats' season.