This looks like a potential shootout as the Miami Hurricanes (3-0) meet the Cincinnati Bearcats (2-2). The ACC’s top passer, Brad Kaaya (839 yards, 5 TDs) is a player to watch in this matchup. It starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct 1 and will air on ESPN.
Cincinnati fell to Memphis 53-46 last week. Hayden Moore had a big game passing the ball in the loss, completing 31 of 53 passes for 557 yards, four TDs and two interceptions. Max Morrison had a big game as well, totaling 162 receiving yards and two TDs on nine receptions. Miami (FL) is hoping for another victory like its last game when the team won in a tight one over Nebraska 36-33 in its matchup. Rashawn Scott had an outstanding performance for the Hurricanes, registering nine receptions for 151 yards. Brad Kaaya also had a big game with 379 yards and two TDs through the air.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable.
Heading into Week 5 of the college football season, the Bearcats are 2-2 Straight Up (SU) and 1-3 Against The Spread (ATS). The Bearcats have a strong passing game with an average of 14.2 yards per pass, good enough for 20th in the country. As for the Cincinnati defense, there are important areas to keep an eye on. When it comes to defending the pass, Cincinnati is one of the best in the country, only giving up a completion percentage of 52.6%. Cincinnati can top most teams in terms of time of possession. The Bearcats have an average time of possession of 33:00 per game for 25th-highest in the nation.
On the other side, the Hurricanes have 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS records this season. Miami (FL) could plan on tossing the ball frequently. The Bearcats defense is usually ineffective at containing the pass, giving up 14.2 yards per pass. Switching gears to the Miami (FL) defense, it has some favorable matchups that it may be able to take advantage of as well. The Hurricanes pass defense makes opponents earn every catch, allowing a completion percentage of only 48.9%. The Bearcats need to hold onto the ball if they want a shot against the turnover-minded Hurricanes. The Miami (FL) defense generates 3.3 turnovers per game, third in the country. There is no feeling-out process to start a game for the Hurricanes, who average 12.7 points in the first quarter.
Predictions: SU Winner – Miami, ATS Winner – Miami
Notes
Cincinnati is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games.
Cincinnati is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games.
Cincinnati is 18-5 SU in its last 23 games at home.
Cincinnati is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home.
Miami (FL) is 3-0 SU when leading at the half this season. Cincinnati is 2-1 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
Cincinnati is only 2-2 SU this season in games where it loses the turnover battle.
The Cincinnati rushing attack is ranked 37th in the country, while the Miami (FL) run defense is only ranked 52nd. The Hurricanes rushing game is ranked 61st, compared to the 78th-ranked run defense of the Bearcats.
