Cincinnati vs. SMU Week 8 Prediction
A pair of ranked teams from the American Athletic Conference will meet in Dallas, Texas tonight when No. 16 SMU hosts No. 9 Cincinnati. With the Mustangs listed as a small home favorite, what’s the best play for bettors in this pivotal conference matchup?
Game Snapshot
347 Cincinnati Bearcats (+1.5) at 348 SMU Mustangs (-1.5); o/u 56.5
9:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, October 24, 2020
Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX
TV: ESPN2
Cincinnati Bearcats Game Notes
Cincinnati junior WR Alec Pierce (knee) is expected to return for Saturday’s game against SMU. The junior wide receiver has not appeared in a game since the Bearcats’ win over Austin Peay on September 19. With Pierce (6’3/212) sidelined freshman Jadon Thompson has moved into the starting lineup, with senior Jordan Jones serving as his backup. Last season he led the Bearcats in receiving with 37 catches for 652 yards, a 17.8 YPC and two touchdowns. Cincinnati will need all their playmakers on hand against an explosive SMU offense that has the capacity to score points in bunches.
SMU Mustangs Game Notes
SMU redshirt senior QB Shane Buechele completed 23-of-37 passes for 384 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-34 victory over Tulane on Friday. Buechele (6’1/207) played turnover-free football while getting the ball in the hands of his playmaking wide receivers Danny Gray and Rashee Rice. Give credit to Tulane who put a scare into the 17th ranked Mustangs, sending the game into overtime before a Michael Pratt interception ended the Green Wave’s upset attempt. For his part, it was more of the same from the seasoned veteran Buechele who eclipsed the 300-yard mark for the fourth time this season. SMU hosts ACC challenger Cincinnati next Saturday.
Cincinnati vs. SMU Betting Prediction
The under is a perfect 4-0 in the last four meetings between these two teams and is 42-20-1 in the Bearcats’ last 63 games overall. The under is also 6-0 in the Bearcats’ last six conference games, is 22-5-1 in their last 28 games as an underdog and is 5-0 in their last five games when they play an opponent with a winning record. On the other side, the under is 8-3 in the Mustangs’ last 11 games played in October and has cashed in five of their last seven home games when facing an opponent with a winning road record.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 8 PREDICTION: CINCINNATI/SMU UNDER 56.5