The 2016 Cincinnati Bearcats football team represented the University of Cincinnati in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bearcats were led by fourth-year head coach Tommy Tuberville, played their home games at Nippert Stadium, and were members of the East Division of the American Athletic Conference. They finished the season 4–8, 1–7 in American Athletic play to finish in a three-way tie for fourth place in the East Division. For the first time since 2010, the Bearcats were not eligible for a bowl game.