PREMIUM
Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh (Under 45)
(NCAAF) Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh,
Total: 45.00 | -109.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 45.00 | -109.00 Under
Result: Loss
Betting Trend: The under is 5-0 in the Bearcats' last five road games (+5.00 Units / 91% ROI), per Covers.com.
In a battle between former Big East rivals, I'm betting on an old-school defensive battle. This matchup features two QBs, Phil Jurkovec and Emory Jones, who are playing for their third college programs. Both QBs are flawed, as Jurkovec has size and arm strength but lacks accuracy, and Jones is a dual-threat game-changer but is turnover-prone (17 INTs to just 26 TDs the last two seasons). Neither will have much success on Saturday, as both of these defenses have playmakers.
The Panthers return five starters from a defense that finished fifth in EPA per play and fourth in EPA per pass in 2022. They recorded four sacks last week and figure to be in the backfield often against a Bearcats offense that returns two starters and just one on the O-line. Pat Narduzzi's defenses are no joke! As a proud Michigan State alum, I marveled at his defenses when he was the DC at MSU under Mark Dantonio...
The Bearcats also figure to be stout defensively, as they return six starters from a D that was 27th in EPA per play and 18th in EPA per pass in 2022. Former Louisville head coach Scott Satterfield brought Cardinals defensive coordinator Bryan Brown with him when he took the Cincy job, which was a smart move considering Brown's defense ranked 17th in EPA per play last season and ninth in EPA per pass. Dontay Corleone, Jowon Briggs, and Deshawn Pace all project as future NFL players — they'll make Jurkovec's life difficult tomorrow.
In a battle between former Big East rivals, I'm betting on an old-school defensive battle. This matchup features two QBs, Phil Jurkovec and Emory Jones, who are playing for their third college programs. Both QBs are flawed, as Jurkovec has size and arm strength but lacks accuracy, and Jones is a dual-threat game-changer but is turnover-prone (17 INTs to just 26 TDs the last two seasons). Neither will have much success on Saturday, as both of these defenses have playmakers.
The Panthers return five starters from a defense that finished fifth in EPA per play and fourth in EPA per pass in 2022. They recorded four sacks last week and figure to be in the backfield often against a Bearcats offense that returns two starters and just one on the O-line. Pat Narduzzi's defenses are no joke! As a proud Michigan State alum, I marveled at his defenses when he was the DC at MSU under Mark Dantonio...
The Bearcats also figure to be stout defensively, as they return six starters from a D that was 27th in EPA per play and 18th in EPA per pass in 2022. Former Louisville head coach Scott Satterfield brought Cardinals defensive coordinator Bryan Brown with him when he took the Cincy job, which was a smart move considering Brown's defense ranked 17th in EPA per play last season and ninth in EPA per pass. Dontay Corleone, Jowon Briggs, and Deshawn Pace all project as future NFL players — they'll make Jurkovec's life difficult tomorrow.
