How Much Will Jared Bartlett Create Advantage for Bearcats?

While some may view the WVU vs. Cincinnati as a game between evenly matched teams, the Bearcats may have one big advantage in former Mountaineer Jared Bartlett. And because West Virginia is facing off against someone who has been in their locker room, Neal Brown was asked about Bartlett leading up to the game.

When posed with a question about Bartlett knowing WVU’s calls from five years of practice against the Mountaineer offense, Brown dismissed the possibility of that playing a role in the outcome.

“I don’t think so. I mean, he practiced against us for a number of years. If he can remember our calls and stuff, more power to him. I have a hard time remembering from spring to fall camp. So if he can remember them, more power to him,” responded Brown.

It is worth noting that West Virginia, like most teams, changes calls frequently, which is likely why Brown isn’t too worried. But regardless if Bartlett is able to read the calls and knows what play is coming, he could still prove to be a problem for the WVU offense.

Bartlett is actually on pace to have his best season of his college career. After recording 49 total tackles throughout the entire 2023 season with WVU, Bartlett has already posted 41 through eight games in 2024. He’s also deflected three passes and registered 5.5 sacks, both already career highs for a single season.

Background on Bartlett’s WVU exit:

Bartlett left WVU after five years as a Mountaineer. Even though he was always planning to transfer following the 2023 season, a source told WV Sports Now at the time of his transfer that Bartlett and the football program worked together to part ways on good terms.

Bartlett agreed to play in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl game instead of preserve his body for his next school, which helped end his WVU tenure on a positive note.

Following West Virginia’s bowl win over North Carolina, Bartlett announced that it was his last game as a Mountaineer.

“Proud of this team, glad to ball out with my guys one last time. Let’s go Mountaineers,” Bartlett wrote. He also wrote a full goodbye letter to Mountaineer Nation that can bead in full below.

Jared Bartlett Writes Goodbye Letter to Mountaineer Nation Upon WVU Exit

Bartlett appeared in 49 games throughout his WVU career, recording 128 total tackles, 13.0 sacks and two forced fumbles. Bartlett had six total tackles with two going for a loss against North Carolina in his final game as a Mountaineer.

Game preview:

WVU owns a commanding historical edge in the all-time series between the two schools separated by about four hours. West Virginia is 17-3-1 all-time against Cincinnati. However, the odds suggest that may change this season.

With both teams coming off bye weeks and looking to close the season on a high note, oddsmakers view WVU as a slight underdog when they travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bearcats.

On Sunday, DraftKings and FanDuel opened their Week 11 lines with Cincinnati as a 3.5-point favorite over the Mountaineers. The line has shifted to further favor Cincinnati, currently sitting at -4.5. For other major sportsbooks, Circa Sports was even more confident in the Bearcats, opening their line with them at -4.

WVU enters the matchup at 4-4 (3-2, Big 12) while Cincinnati stands at 5-3 (3-2, Big 12).

In the first ever meeting between the schools as Big 12 foes, West Virginia beat Cincinnati 42-21 in convincing fashion in Morgantown.

Below are some images of Jared Bartlett as a Mountaineer. 

Jared Bartlett and WVU players celebrate beating UNC in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. on Dec. 27, 2023. (Mitchell Northam / WV Sports Now)

WVU Football’s Marcis Floyd and Jared Bartlett celebrate a tackle short of the line to gain for a first down for the Cowboys. WVSN photo/Kelsie LeRose

WVSN photo/Kelsie LeRose

Bandit Jared Bartlett gets pumped up before taking the field at Beaver Stadium Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. WVSN photo/Kelsie LeRose.

For a related story, Mike Asti welcomed Neil Meyer on Mountaineer Report to preview WVU-Cincinnati.