The Cincinnati Bearcats (-17.5) and Connecticut Huskies are set to face off on the grass at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. CBS Sports Network will televise the action and kickoff for this AAC game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
Cincinnati Bearcats at Connecticut Huskies Betting Preview
Connecticut is a live dog and is currently getting 17.5 points in this AAC matchup. The Bearcats are also receiving -1450 moneyline odds while the Huskies are +800. If one team can create a bunch of points in the early stages, it will likely create a worthy live betting opportunity.
The surprising Bearcats have recorded 7.0 units so far in 2018 and are 3-1 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U mark of 1-2. The Huskies have gained 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 1-3 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-1.
The Bearcats have gone 4-0 straight up (SU) and they haven’t faced any AAC competition yet. The Huskies are 1-3 SU overall and 0-1 SU in conference play.
When these two schools faced one another a year ago, Cincinnati earned the win 22-21.
The Bearcats are looking to stay unbeaten after a 34-30 win over Ohio last week. The Bearcats defense allowed the Bobcats to run for 234 yards on 45 rush attempts, including two rush TDs. On the offensive side of the ball, Desmond Ridder completed 19 passes for 274 yards, two scores and one interception. Michael Warren II (124 yards on 23 rush attempts, two TDs) and the signal-caller Ridder (28 yards on 10 carries, one TD) led the running attack. Josiah Deguara (six receptions, 69 yards) and Kahlil Lewis (five catches, 51 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Connecticut just dropped a brutal 51-21 game to Syracuse. As a group, the Huskies collectively completed 19-of-29 passes for 217 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. David Pindell went 17-for-24 for 151 yards and one touchdown while Marvin Washington was two-of-five for 66 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Kevin Mensah (76 yards on 19 rush attempts) and the signal-caller Pindell (76 yards on 12 carries, one TD) mounted the running attack while Zavier Scott (seven receptions, 38 yards, one TD) and Hergy Mayala (five catches, 41 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Cincinnati has run the ball on 67.0 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Connecticut has a rush percentage of 58.2 percent. The Bearcats have run for 235 yards/game and have 14 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Huskies are totaling 196 rushing yards per game and have six total rush TDs.
It appears that the Bearcats may hold an edge when it comes to RB effectiveness. Their running backs has generated 4.9 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 4.0 YPC to opponents. The Huskies have rushed for 4.8 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 8.0 to opponents.
The Bearcats offense has logged 190 yards per contest in the air overall and has six passing scores so far. The Huskies have recorded 218 pass yards per contest and have eight total pass TDs.
Defensively, Cincinnati should have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 121 yards and pass for 153 yards per game. The Connecticut D has allowed 355.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 309.0 yards per game on the ground. The Bearcats are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 3.30 to opposing QBs, while the Huskies have given up a staggering 12.03 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Ridder has put up 419 yards this year. The signal-caller has connected on 59 percent of his 64 attempts with three scores through the air and one interception. He’s got a 6.45 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 12.95 over the last two outings.
Michael Warren II (357 rushing yards, seven rush TDs this season), Kahlil Lewis (71 receiving yards) and Rashad Medaris (102 receiving yards, one TD) have each played significant roles lately.
On the other sideline, David Pindell has completed 55-of-86 passes for 488 yards, three TDs and two INTs. Pindell’s ANY/A sits at a mediocre 4.56 for the season and 8.00 over his past two games.
We also expect the Connecticut offense to mix things up this Saturday. As a group, Kevin Mensah, David Pindell and Tyler Davis have combined to account for 545 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns the last two outings.
NCAA Tip: Cincinnati Bearcats at Connecticut Huskies
SU Winner – Bearcats, ATS Winner – Bearcats
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Trends
Cincinnati was favored by 7 points in its last game and the O/U was set at 56. The over cashed and Cincinnati failed to cover in the 34-30 victory over Ohio.
As a team, Cincinnati has rushed for 5.33571428571429 yards per attempt over its past three games and 6.3 over its last two.
Connecticut has averaged 4.8 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.8 over its past two.
Connecticut has lost six fumbles this season while Cincinnati has lost one.
Connecticut was favored by 31 points in its last game and the Over/Under was set at 75.5. The under cashed and Connecticut failed to cover in the 51-21 defeat to Syracuse.
The Bearcats offense has produced two pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Huskies have put up three such plays.
The Cincinnati defense has allowed one pass play of 40+ yards, while Connecticut has given up six such plays.
The Cincinnati offense has created eight rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Connecticut has created four such runs.
The Bearcats defense has allowed five rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Huskies have given up 15 such runs.
The Cincinnati defensive unit has twice as many sacks as Connecticut this year (eight versus four).
*****
