The Bearcats are traveling to South Bend, Indiana to face the only ranked opponent on their schedule this season.
The Fighting Irish will host Cincinnati on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET in what will likely be one of their most competitive matchups this season. The Bearcats will attempt to put an end to the Notre Dame 26-game win streak at home.
After suffering a leg injury during Notre Dame's 41-13 win, Jack Coan is slated to start for Notre Dame. Coach Brian Kelly confirmed that he likely suffered a soft tissue injury in the third quarter of the matchup. He took a massive hit and was sacked five times before he left the field for the locker room.
Coan completed 77 of 127 passes for 986 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions through his first four games at Notre Dame. As he is continuing to build his momentum with the Fighting Irish, Coan is facing some issues with the offensive line. During Notre Dame's 39-32 win against Toledo, starting left tackle Michael Carmody left the field with a sprained ankle. Suffering his absence for two games, the Fighting Irish offensive line has allowed the second-most total of 21 sacks in the FBS.
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While Jack Coan and his offense appear solid, they will be tested by the Cincinnati defense, which is ranked 27th overall. The Bearcats' defense allowed 298.7 yards per game and six touchdowns through their first three matchups. Linebacker Darrian Beavers leads the defense in sacks with 1.5 and totals 21 total tackles, followed by cornerback Arquon Busch who totals one sack and 10 tackles.
Quarterback Desmond Ridder is also expected to make strides for the Bearcats. He completed 54 of 83 passes for 748 yards and totaled seven touchdowns with two interceptions through three games. Ridder will likely continue to utilize wide receiver Tyler Scott and Michael Young Jr., who combine for 282 total receiving yards. Young will have the opportunity to reunite with his former teammates for the first time since he graduated from Notre Dame in 2020 and entered the transfer portal.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the ranked Week 5 college football matchup.
MORE: Watch Notre Dame vs. Cincinnati live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
What channel is Notre Dame vs. Cincinnati on today?
- TV channel: NBC
- Live stream: Peacock, fuboTV
Notre Dame vs. Cincinnati will be broadcast live nationally on NBC. You can also stream the game on Peacock or with fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial.
Notre Dame vs. Cincinnati start time
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 2
- Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. ET
The Notre Dame vs. Cincinnati game is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 2.
Notre Dame football schedule 2021
| Date | Opponent |
| Sept. 6 | Notre Dame 41, Florida State 38 |
| Sept. 11 | Notre Dame 32, Toledo 29 |
| Sept. 18 | Notre Dame 27, Purdue 13 |
| Sept. 25 | Notre Dame 41, Wisconsin 13 |
| Oct. 2 | vs. No. 8 Cincinnati |
| Oct. 9 | at Virginia Tech |
| Oct. 23 | vs. USC |
| Oct. 30 | vs. No. 21 North Carolina |
| Nov. 6 | vs. Navy |
| Nov. 13 | at Virginia |
| Nov. 20 | vs. Georgia Tech |
| Nov. 27 | at Stanford |
Cincinnati football schedule 2021
| Date | Opponent |
| Sept. 4 | Cincinnati 49, Miami Ohio 14 |
| Sept. 11 | Cincinnati 42, Murray State 7 |
| Sept. 18 | Cincinnati 38, Indiana 24 |
| Oct. 2 | at No. 9 Notre Dame |
| Oct. 8 | vs. Temple |
| Oct. 16 | vs. UCF |
| Oct. 23 | vs. Navy |
| Oct. 30 | at Tulane |
| Nov. 6 | vs. Tulsa |
| Nov. 12 | at South Florida |
| Nov. 20 | vs. SMU |
| Nov. 27 | at East Carolina |