The end of an iconic rivalry left a spot on Cincinnati’s rivalry. An old Big East for could fill the vacancy in a move beneficial for both fanbases
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Last week, college football lost another iconic and time-tested rivalry in a trend that is becoming too common. Cincinnati and Miami (OH) agreed to end their over 130-year-old Victory Bell rivalry after the 129th meeting in 2026. The two schools will not play next year, creating openings on both schools' schedules. Miami (OH) quickly filled its vacancy, but Cincinnati still has one non-conference slot. While this loss stings the college football world deeply, one school has the potential to benefit from the whole ordeal.
Recently, UConn lost its October 18, 2025 game against Ohio State when the Buckeyes opted for a game against Grambling on September 6 next year. The Huskies have ten games scheduled for 2025, with one FCS opponent already on the slate. A non-conference game against Cincinnati is mutually beneficial and logical for several reasons.
First and foremost, the Huskies have significant history with the Bearcats. As members of the Big East and American Athletic Conference, the Bearcats and Huskies played yearly from 2005 to 2019. It is rare for UConn to have this degree of familiarity with any Power Five opponent. Last season's Power Five games against NC State, Duke, and Tennessee were intriguing opportunities for the UConn fanbase. However, they were mostly just another game due to the lack of notable history between the Huskies and these schools.
A game against the Bearcats will enthrall the fanbase in a way their 2025 home game against Duke cannot. UConn wants to rekindle old rivalries. Series against old Big East foes like Boston College and Syracuse and old Yankee Conference/Atlantic 10 schools such as James Madison, Delaware, and UMass show this desire. UConn fans will welcome yet another throwback to their Big East glory days.
Additionally, Cincinnati hardly has any rivals in the Big 12. West Virginia and UCF are the only beacons of familiarity for the Bearcats. A non-conference game against UConn could draw more fans to Nippert Stadium than another random Group of Five opponent would.
Furthermore, there is a bit of a "little brother" dynamic with Cincinnati. The Bearcats lead the all-time series 13-3 and have not lost to the Huskies since 2016, winning the last four meetings. This recent history makes the game more important for UConn fans.
Most importantly, a game against Cincinnati could serve as the Huskies' audition for the Big 12. Before the PAC-12's demise, rumors constantly had the Huskies tied to Big 12 expansion. While it may not make sense now, Commissioner Brett Yormark's open-mindedness and unpredictability show that the door may not be closed for the Huskies to join the Big 12.
A win against Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium can improve the Huskies' Big 12 prospects. Football has long been the Achilles heel of UConn's realignment resume. A win against a prospective conference opponent could show the Huskies are not the football liability that several people think.
The loss of the Victory Bell game was a saddening yet avoidable travesty. Surprisingly, some good can come out of it. A divorce between two nearly eternal rivals could lead to a brief reunion of rivals from a dead football conference. Should UConn and Cincinnati come together for a game, the college world can find some solace in this.
