Cincinnati Bearcats vs. UCF Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Bearcats will host the Central Florida Golden Knights for an American conference matchup on Saturday at noon on ABC. The Bearcats come into this one with their highest ranking ever in the AP Top 25 poll at No. 3. They are 5-0 with good wins at Indiana and at Notre Dame.

The Knights are 3-2, with losses to Louisville and the Navy. Last week, the Knights were up double digits going into the 4th quarter and blew that lead as they were ten point favorites for that game. They are without their starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who hurt his shoulder against Louisville a few weeks ago.

Let’s take a look at the starting betting lines for these two teams in this matchup.

Odds

The Bearcats are a heavy favorite at home against the thinly stretched Golden Knights. They are -19.5 with the odds of -110 to cover. The Knights have the same odds to cover the +19.5 spread. The over/under for the game is set at 57.5 with the same odds of -110 to bet the over or the under.

Keys to a Bearcats Win

The better question would be, “By what margin will the Bearcats win?” The Bearcats were able to win with ease by a score of 52-3 against Temple and never had anyone doubt it for a second. Quarterback Desmond Ridder is having a career year and is in the Heisman conversation.

The defense is ranked in the top ten in both defensive success rates and turnovers caused per game. They are the best team in American by far and are showing it each week with their commanding wins.

Keys to a Golden Knights Win

I don’t want to discount Central Florida’s team, but the offense looks weaker without Gabriel in the game. Mikey Keene, his replacement, has looked uncomfortable since taking over and will have another tough time out against this ferocious Bearcats D.

Central Florida’s only way to win would be to keep this score low. Their offense is beating up and will not outscore the Cincinnati offense if they can put up more than 30. With a few turnovers, the Golden Knights could make this into a game and put some pressure on Ridder and the offense to perform.

Expected Outcome

As alluded to before, I think the Bearcats have this win easily, but the Golden Knights have the support from the field who want to see this Bearcats team fall in the rankings and out of the playoff conversation. The Bearcats will have a target on their back the rest of the season, and one loss would destroy all hopes for the chance to play in the playoff.

Expect Cincinnati to try to weather the storm early in this one with a touchdown or takeaway to take the excitement out of the Golden Knights. This game could get interesting if the Golden Knights can stay with the Bearcats through the 1st half.