CINCINNATI— West Virginia’s first trip to Cincinnati in 13 years and first meeting with the Bearcats at Nippert Stadium since 2009 takes place Saturday afternoon in a key Big 12 affair broadcast on FS1.

The Mountaineers (4-4, 3-2) and Bearcats (5-3, 3-2) are both entering their second and final bye week of the regular season, with the winner remaining in the hunt for one of the two spots in the league. Big 12 title game, with the loser effectively out of contention.

WVU has had the upper hand in this series with a 17-3-1 edge, including last year’s 42-21 win in Morgantown when the Mountaineers rushed for 424 yards in a runaway win.

The Mountaineers are 11-6-1 all-time as of Nov. 9, including a 6-3 mark on the road. However, WVU’s last game on this date was a 38-17 loss to Texas Tech.

12:01 pm — Cincinnati wins the toss and advances to the second half. The Mountaineers get the opening kickoff for the ninth time in as many games this season.

The Mountaineers have arrived at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati: pic.twitter.com/X6kpvzrHKa

— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) November 9, 2024

Greg Carey & Joe Brocato set the stage for WVU-Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium: pic.twitter.com/WEUVAWVGuS

— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) November 9, 2024

Pre-game notes: While quarterback Nicco Marchiol is expected to make his second start this season, Garrett Greene is dressed for today’s game. Greene was injured on Oct. 19 against Kansas State, missing the second half of that game and then the next game at Arizona, which he did not travel to.

Left tackle Wyatt Milum is back in the lineup after missing the game with the Wildcats.

WVU today brings in a new defensive coordinator in Jeff Koonz, moving from his role as special teams coordinator/inside linebackers coach. Koonz replaces Jordan Lesley, who was fired 11 days ago and arrested earlier this morning on charges of domestic battery.

Your essential pregame links:

West Virginia is looking to get off to a strong start in November against Cincinnati

Notebook: Mountain climbers take the bus to Cincinnati and split the trip into two parts

3 Guys Before the Game – UMass Basketball & Cincinnati Football Preview

Koonz hopes to generate more consistency from the WVU defense

Marchiol is in line for his second consecutive start in Cincinnati