NCAAF Week 15: Cincinnati vs. Tulsa odds, preview, and pick
Tulsa Golden Hurricane quarterback Zach Smith (11) drops back to pass. (Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire)
December 8th, 2020
In what amounts to a preview of the AAC Championship game to be held on Dec. 19, the No. 7 Cincinnati Bearcats (8-0) will head to Chapman Stadium on Saturday afternoon (4:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2) to take on the No. 18 Tulsa Golden Hurricane (6-1). Cincinnati was installed as a prohibitive favorite, but will they be caught looking ahead to next week’s rematch? Here’s our betting preview.
Both teams are on a roll
The Bearcats are a perfect 8-0 on the year, highlighted by victories over two ranked teams in No. 22 Army and No. 16 SMU. They’re also 6-0 in conference play this season.
The #Bearcats win big on senior night‼️ pic.twitter.com/gXJUst7qAH
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) November 14, 2020
The Golden Hurricane has suffered four postponements in 2020, including this game with Cincinnati from Oct. 17. But they’ve still managed to win six straight contests heading into Saturday, with triumphs over ranked programs in No. 11 UCF and No. 19 SMU.
Tulsa takes a 28-24 lead late in the fourth after trailing 21-0 vs. SMU 🤯 pic.twitter.com/faRYvSwYhL
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 15, 2020
Bearcats offense has been electrifying
Cincinnati is 13th in the country in points per game (40.9). They’ve amassed 44 points per game over their last five contests.
Dual-threat junior quarterback Desmond Ridder has thrown for 1,821 yards in 2020 and added another 526 yards on the ground. He’s accounted for a team-high 27 touchdowns this season. Senior tailback Gerrid Doaks has had a fine campaign on the ground as well (4.8 yards per carry on 137 attempts, seven touchdowns).
With the top heavy 6 QBs I've forgotten about Jr. Desmond Ridder who is a very interesting prospect.
— AlfredJF (@AlfredJF) December 7, 2020
The Konami code really can't be dismissed... if he declares, 2nd round potential?
Why is he so much less discussed than Lance? pic.twitter.com/69dk8hyOVK
Tulsa’s defense is a respectable 18th in the country in passing yards allowed per game, but they're just 53rd in rushing yards allowed per game.
Cincinnati and Tulsa statistics and rankings
| Team Name | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Passing Yards Allowed | Rushing Yards Allowed |
|---|
Cincinnati Bearcats | 237.4, 56th | 228.3, 14th | 193.1, 25th | 108.6, 19th |
Tulsa Golden Hurricane | 251.9, 41st | 159.4, 69th | 183.4, 18th | 145.0, 53rd |
Tulsa’s offense can pile on yardage too
The Golden Hurricane bring a solid offense to the table as well. Prior to their 19-6 struggle of a victory against Navy in Week 14, Tulsa averaged 33.6 points per game over their last five contests.
Running backs Deneric Prince, Corey Taylor II and T.K. Wilkerson lead a three-headed rushing attack for Tulsa. Senior quarterback Zach Smith and his 41st-ranked passing attack will host a Bearcats defense that’s 25th in the nation in stopping the pass.
Tulsa with an INCREDIBLE Hail Mary to take it to OT 😱pic.twitter.com/x1WW3Pq24v
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 20, 2020
Trends say Over should cash
Cincinnati has exceeded the total in three of its last four overall games heading into Saturday. The Over is 5-1 in their last six games as road favorites, and 8-3 in their last 11 December games.
Tulsa has not been trending Over, but five of their seven games this season have exceeded the relatively-low total posted for this tilt.
Score prediction: Cincinnati 31, Tulsa 27
NCAAF Pick: Over 46 points
Wager on all NCAAF Week 15 action on BetAmerica!
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