Unbeaten Bearcats Look to Bolster Playoff Hopes

They’re already talking about a perfect season in Cincinnati, where the Bearcats (5-0 SU, 3-2 ATS) have outscored their last two opponents by a 92-13 margin. Cincy shoots for its 17th straight home victory as a double-digit favorite against Houston (2-2, 2-2), which has covered just two of the last 10 meetings.

Houston Cougars vs Cincinnati Bearcats

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Bearcats have won their last 30 home games when favored by double digits, but they haven’t necessarily been an ATS machine in that role. In fact, Cincy is just 4-8 ATS in its last 12 home games when laying 10 points or more.

Houston News & Notes

The Cougars allowed nearly 700 yards in last week’s 44-21 loss to UCF, but coach Dana Holgorsen seemed more worried about the team’s usually potent offense. Despite gaining 26 first downs against a defense that had allowed 84 points in its previous two games, Houston managed just one offensive touchdown until late in the fourth quarter, with the team’s other major coming on a 35-yard fumble return.

A first-quarter ankle injury to star receiver Marquez Stevenson may have contributed to Houston’s issues finishing drives. The status of Stevenson, the team’s leader in receiving yards, for this week was uncertain at the time of writing.

Run defense should also be a concern for Houston this week after the Cougars uncharacteristically allowed 353 ground yards to UCF. Houston entered last week’s action ranked 18th in the nation against the run, a form it’ll need to return to against Cincy’s 15th-ranked rushing attack.

Cincinnati News & Notes

It’s hard to imagine the Bearcats playing any better than they have the past two weeks. Cincinnati covered the spread by a combined 62.5 points in blowout wins over SMU and defending conference champion Memphis, allowing just 23 points in the process. Last week, the Bearcats held Memphis to -4 rushing yards until late in the fourth quarter, when their backups were on the field.

Cincy has not allowed more than 13 points in a game since a season-Sportsbook 55-20 win over Austin Peay, and it has now gone UNDER in nine of its last 11 games overall.

“We want to have zero points on the board at the end of the game,” linebacker Darrian Beavers told the Cincinnati Enquirer after last week’s victory. “Maybe that’s not realistic, but that’s our mindset.”

Improved play from quarterback Desmond Ridder has also fueled optimism about the Bearcats earning a place in this year’s College Football Playoff. The signal-caller accounted for five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing) and a season-high 312 total yards against Memphis, and he’s had just one turnover over the past two weeks after committing five in his first two outings. He may be without his top target this week, however, after junior wide receiver Alec Pierce left the Memphis game with a shoulder injury.

Betting Pick: Cincinnati -10.5