AAC Week 11 picks: East Carolina vs. Cincinnati & 3 more

A week after BYU shined in the Friday night ESPN spotlight, college football’s other dark horse playoff candidate, Cincinnati, will get the chance to pick up style points in primetime. We’ll break down that game before sharing some picks for the full AAC Saturday slate.

#7 Cincinnati vs. East Carolina

The Cincinnati Bearcats aren’t just undefeated in 2020. They have covered the spread in every game. Every. Single. Game. This week they’ll have to cover the biggest number they’ve seen in a month and it’s in a spot big-time bettors love for the underdog.

Luke Fickell’s team just completed a three-game stretch against the toughest opponents the AAC schedule can throw at them, excluding one. The Cincinnati defense limited three of the best scoring teams in the conference to less than 13 points. Next week awaits one of the best scoring offenses in America, UCF.

This checks almost every qualifying box for the notorious trap game. The timing is the one exception. Even if it’s just East Carolina, you gotta be fired up to play in prime time on ESPN, right?

The Pirates rank second to last in the AAC in scoring defense and rushing defense, just what Desmond Ridder and Co. need to run away with another big win. After all, Cincinnati is a Top 25 rushing offense, averaging 238.5 yards on the ground per game. As much as this spot initially scared me, you can’t quit on the covering Bearcats just yet, especially at home with a chance to show the world they can compete with the big dogs in the CFB Playoff.

Pick: Cincinnati -27.5

#19 SMU vs. Tulsa

SMU is getting points against Tulsa? I will happily take the points, even though this line smells fishy by making the ranked team the underdog.

Cincinnati is the only team that has been able to slow down the Pony Express all season long. Tulsa’s defense is in the same stratosphere is Cincinnati’s, ranked in the Top 3 of the conference in every major statistical category except the most important one: pass defense. Shane Buechele will pick apart the Golden Hurricane all night long to win outright.

Pick: SMU +2.5

Army vs. Tulane

The Black Knights enter this game with an extra week of rest after Army’s game against Air Force was postponed by the coronavirus. Head coach Jeff Monken seemed just a little upset by the decision.

If Army can take out half of that anger on Tulane, they should be able to halt the Green Wave and cover the spread in New Orleans.

Pick: Army +5.5 

Temple vs. UCF

The Knights’ offense invites enormous totals. If you bet the under, you’re winning as soon as the ball is kicked off and this week feels like a good week to win for 60 minutes. Temple’s scoring offense ranks ninth out of 11 AAC teams. Even if UCF gets to 50, you still have a good chance to cash a ticket.

Pick: Under 76.5

This week's NCAAF schedule features compelling matchups from coast to coast. Check them all out at BetAmerica!