By Darren Cooper in College Football
Published:
BYU (9-1, 7-3 ATS) and record-setting freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier control their own destiny in the Big 12 and can move closer to the conference title game with a win over Cincinnati (7-3, 6-4 ATS).
If BYU wins Saturday and next week over Central Florida, they will be in the conference title game, likely against Texas Tech. Cincinnati has two conference losses and can still get in, but it needs a lot of other things to go its way.
Let’s dive into my BYU vs Cincinnati prediction and pick for this Saturday night Big 12 clash, plus a look at the updated line.
I’m riding the Bear and BYU to cover the 2.5-point spread on the road. The Cougars’ balanced offense and stout defense should be enough to handle a Cincinnati team that’s lost its mojo in recent weeks.
Cougars freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier has tied a school record with 10 rushing touchdowns, and he’s also thrown for 2,177 yards. The BYU offense is scoring 34.1 points per game, which ranks 25th in the nation.
Cincinnati was one of the hottest teams in the nation until two weeks ago, but has suffered back-to-back losses, including a stunning upset at the hands of Arizona last week. I have to point to one reason: Bearcats QB Brendan Sorsby has lost his mojo. He’s thrown three interceptions in the previous two weeks.
The Bearcats had the ball down six with 90 seconds left last week against Arizona and didn’t even get a first down. Their running game vanished, and the defense broke.
BYU’s defense ranks third in the Big 12, allowing 17.8 points per game. They have three players with three interceptions, and linebacker Jack Kelly has seven sacks. This defensive unit will be key to my BYU vs Cincinnati prediction coming through.
You have to love the way the Cougars are trending. They got smacked by Texas Tech two weeks ago, rose back up, and whipped TCU. Offensively, BYU uses that zone read/option scheme—if defenses focus on Bear, then LJ Martin gets the rock. He’s got 912 yards and six scores.
Cincinnati is still legit and has a fighting shot at reaching the conference title game, but they need to win out and for Arizona State, Houston, and Utah all to lose. BYU will be the highest-ranked team to play in Cincinnati since 2016.
Usually, I love these home underdogs with a big crowd behind them, but I’m confident the Cougars can handle the noise and run the ball at the Bearcats. Cincinnati’s rushing defense ranks 11th in the Big 12.
My best bets for this Saturday night Big 12 clash:
BYU has won four of its last five games against the spread, and they were underdogs in three of those games. They beat Iowa State and Utah as underdogs. Three of their last five games have hit the over.
Cincinnati has lost two in a row, and this is their last real chance to make some noise in the Big 12. They’ve lost three of their last five against the number.
November has been poison for the Bearcats lately. Cincinnati has failed to cover the spread in their last eight November games. Meanwhile, BYU has won nine straight games against unranked teams, supporting our BYU vs Cincinnati pick.
Odds from Bet365 on Nov. 22 at 3pm ET. Find something good every day with our Bet365 bonus code.
The Saturday night CFB betting lines price the Cougars as 2.5-point road favorites, with the total locked at 55.5 everywhere. The best moneyline bets are BYU -135 at DraftKings and the Bearcats +120 at Bet365.
With BYU controlling its destiny in the Big 12 race, this line reflects the Cougars’ recent momentum and Cincinnati’s struggles.
USE CODE SBD1500 & GET $1,500 BACK IN BONUS BETS
BET $5 & GET $150 IN BONUS BETS WITH CODE DIME365
BET $10, GET $100 IN FANCASH + GAMEDAY GUARANTEE
BET $5 & GET $200 IN BONUS BETS IF YOUR BET WINS + 3 MONTHS OF NBA LEAGUE PASS
BET $5 & GET $150 IF YOUR BET WINS
USE CODE SBD20X & BET $1 TO DOUBLE THE WINNINGS ON YOUR FIRST 20 WAGERS!
USE CODE DIME TO UNLOCK BET $10, GET $100 BONUS & ESPN+
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOK T&Cs: GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS).
BET365 SPORTSBOOK T&Cs: Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ only (18+ KY).
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK T&Cs: Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US), Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, MS, NY, NV, ON, or PR.
Darren has been covering the world of sports since 1998. His grandfather had a special 'system' to bet on the ponies, but the secrets of that system have been lost to time. He loves betting the under, thinks homefield advantage is worth more than 3 points nowadays and always stays within his means.
Updated: 2 hours ago
