Dillon Gabriel downplays his history vs. Cincinnati entering Week 4 matchup

Dillon Gabriel knows the Cincinnati Bearcats well, but he’s never defeated them, dating back to his time with the UCF Knights.

However, Gabriel and the Bearcats are both in different eras at the moment. Cincinnati is adjusting to life after Luke Fickell, while Gabriel is the starting quarterback of the Oklahoma Sooners. All that history is going by the wayside ahead of their showdown on Saturday.

At least, that’s what Gabriel is thinking at the moment, as he explained how his history with Cincinnati doesn’t matter to the media earlier this week.

“Yeah, I know it. I’m not going to say it,” Gabriel responded, pressed about his career record against the Bearcats. “I know it. I know what it is. Obviously I knew my record against Tulsa. So excited for the game, and excited to play them. It’ll be a good one. … It’s a team game. It’s going to be a good atmosphere. Good vibes. It’s going to be a good game.”

Thus far in 2023, Gabriel has been his fantastic self for the Sooners. The Oklahoma quarterback is 66-for-80 on the season, accumulating 905 passing yards and 11 touchdowns to one interception. Those are pretty dang good numbers, no matter how you slice it.

The Sooners are rolling on all cylinders at the moment, as well. In Week 1, they defeated Arkansas State by a whopping 73 points, and following that up with a 28-11 victory over SMU in Week 2. Last weekend, they continued their winning ways, defeating Tulsa on the road by a score of 66-17.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati started their season hot with back-to-back victories, but fell in Week 3 in an upset at home to Miami (OH). It was a close overtime loss, but one the Bearcats didn’t expect to happen to them last Saturday.

Journeyman quarterback Emory Jones is leading the charge for Cincinnati, accumulating 735 passing yards and seven touchdowns to three interceptions on the season in 2023. Will he be able to keep pace with Gabriel if the game goes into shootout mode? It remains to be seen, but he’s been solid for the Bearcats.

At the moment, Oklahoma is favored by two touchdowns, and much of that has to do with Dillon Gabriel and their offense in 2023. The Sooners quarterback has a fantastic shot to get his first win over the Bearcats, and welcome them to the Big 12 in style.