Cincinnati vs Houston Picks Against the Spread

Saturday, October 12, 2019

TDECU Stadium

TDECU Stadium is the site where Clayton Tune and the Houston Cougars will take on the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday. Cincinnati opens this game as 5-point favorites. The Bearcats are 4-1-0 ATS and 1-4-0 when betting on the total. The Cougars are 2-2-1 when wagering on the over/under and 3-2-0 against the spread.

Key Cincinnati Bearcats Injuries

09/07/19 RB Gerrid Doaks Knee is out indefinitely
08/31/19 S James Wiggins Knee is out for season
08/29/19 CB Arquon Bush Toe is out indefinitely
08/29/19 RB Charles McClelland ACL is out for season

Key Houston Cougars Injuries

09/23/19 QB D'Eriq King Redshirt is out for season
09/23/19 WR Keith Corbin Redshirt is out for season

The last time they played, the Cincinnati Bearcats faced the UCF Knights and won 27-24. Taking the lead at quarterback for the Bearcats was Desmond Ridder who went 17/31 with 149 yards passing and added 2 touchdowns. He threw 1 interception during the game. Michael Warren II paced the team in rushing during the game. His longest run of the day went for 60 yards but wasn't able to convert a rushing touchdown. He scurried for 133 yards by way of 23 carries which meant he was running for 5.8 yards per carry. Josiah Deguara led the team in receiving yardage with a tally of 64 yards on 5 receptions. He earned an average of 12.8 yards per catch during the game. The Bearcats ended up rushing 41 times and added 192 yards giving them an average of 4.7 yards per carry. In the game, the Bearcats got 18 1st downs and they totaled 9 penalties for 91 yards which shows us that this team didn't have their heads in this game. Overall, they finished with a total of 72 plays for 341 yards. When discussing the defense, Cincinnati allowed 25 catches on 46 throws totaling 297 yards, and a completion percentage of 54.3%. Against the run, the Bearcats allowed 126 yards on 42 tries allowing their opponent an average of 3.0 yards per run allowed. On the day, they allowed 423 yards and earned 4 turnovers.

The Bearcats head into this game 4-1 in 2019. They are in the middle of the pack in regard to scoring in the nation with an average of 27.6 points per game, ranking them 77th in D-1. As a unit, they are averaging 187.6 rushing yards per game which is 7th in the AAC. For total yards, they sit in 8th in the conference and 85th in D-1 with 1,976 yards. The Bearcats have one of the top tier defenses in the country, giving up 21.4 points per game putting them 5th in the AAC. In regard to yards on the ground, Cincinnati is allowing 129.4 yards per game which has them at 4th in the AAC and 47th in the nation. Opposing teams are running for an average of 3.4 yards per rush ranking them 3rd in the American Athletic Conference and 35th in the nation overall. Overall, they have allowed 647 rushing yards through 5 contests. When it comes to yards through the air, the Bearcats have conceded 1,038 yards. Opponents are completing 51.7% of the throws they are attempting against them and averaging 6.6 yards per attempt.

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In their last contest, the Houston Cougars faced the North Texas Mean Green and won 46-25. Running the show from under center for the Cougars was Clayton Tune who went 16/20 with 124 yards through the air and threw 1 TD. He ended the game with no interceptions. Patrick Carr led the team on the ground for the game. He had a long run of 68 yards and he tallied 3 TD's for the game. He rushed for a total of 139 yards via 16 carries which had him averaging 8.7 yards per tote. Marquez Stevenson was the leader in receiving yardage by earning 64 yards on 7 catches. He notched an average of 9.1 yards per reception for the game. The Cougars ended up rushing 30 times and generated 246 yards which had them averaging 8.2 yards per attempt. For the game, the Cougars totaled 17 1st downs and they had a total of 3 penalties for 30 yards which tells us that we had a very focused team on our hands. In all, they finished with a total of 50 plays which gave them a total of 370 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, Houston conceded 36 completions on 58 attempts for a total of 360 yards, and a completion percentage of 62.1%. On the day, they allowed 456 yards but went the whole game without forcing a turnover. Against the run, the Cougars conceded 96 yards on 30 carries which gave the opponent an average of 3.2 yards per carry allowed.

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The Cougars step onto the field holding a record of 2-3. Houston has shown the nation they have a formidable rushing attack by averaging 253.2 yards on the ground per game, ranking them 11th in D-1. As a unit, they have compiled a total of 1,266 rushing yards through 5 games, and if they want to continue their dominance, they'll want to keep running the ball. The Cougars average 411.6 yards per game overall which has them at 72nd in the country and 7th in the conference. The Cougars are conceding 32 points per contest ranking them 11th in the American Athletic Conference and 105th in Division 1. In regard to points allowed, they have given up 160 total points. In discussing yards on the ground, they are conceding 178.8 yards per contest which puts them at 92nd in Division 1 and 10th in the American Athletic Conference. This season, they have given up 894 rushing yards and 8 rushing touchdowns. Their pass defense is one of the worst units in college football. They are conceding 313.2 passing yards per contest. For yards through the air allowed per game, the Cougars are ranked 12th in the American Athletic Conference.

Who will win tonight's Bearcats/Cougars college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Bearcats -5

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