The Cincinnati Bearcats might be a perfect 6-0 heading into their Week 8 road date against the mediocre Temple Owls, but they’re sure not getting any love from oddsmakers – or the national ranking committee – despite their unblemished record. No matter, Cincy will look to take care of business when they hit the road to take on a Temple Owls team enter this game playing their best football of the season.
If you’re looking to find out whether Cincinnati or Temple is the right pick in this Week 8 AAC matchup, let’s get to my expert college football pick right now.
Cincinnati vs Temple NCAA Football Week 8 Odds & Analysis
The #Bearcats are beating opponents by an average of 24.7 points per game.
That’s good for seventh nationally! pic.twitter.com/f7gyWxa4re — Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) October 18, 2018
- When: Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 12:00 PM ET
- Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
- TV: ESPNU
- Radio: Cincinnati / Temple
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
- NCAA Football Week 8 Odds: Temple -3 / Total: 48.5
Weather Forecast
- Overcast: 16°C/60°F
- Humidity: 70%
- Precipitation: 15%
- Wind: 16 mph WSW
- Cloud Cover: 82%
- Type of Stadium: Open
Why Bet On The Cincinnati Bearcats?
Why should you bet on the Bearcats to get the win and ATS cover in this matchup? Well, because Cincinnati has the more explosive offense as they average 38.3 points per game to Temple’s 31.4 points per contest. The Bearcats also have the better defense in limiting the opposition to just 13.6 points per game compared to Temple’s 22.0 points per game allowed. Another good reason to back Cincinnati is that they had a bye last week and are well-rested. Last bu not least, Cincy has the best quarterback in this matchup – and it’s not even close if you ask me.
The Bearcats come into this affair off an impressive 37-21 win over Tulane on Oct. 6 as quarterback Desmond Ridder passed for 174 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Running back Michael warren II rushed 18 times for 123 yards and one score, which came on a phenomenal 81-yard burst.
“I just saw a cut, made another cut and got vertical,” said Warren, who sparked the offense that had struggled until then. “It takes one play to get us clicking. It was the play to get the team riled up and get the momentum.”
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 38.33
- Total Yards: 467.83
- Pass Yards: 212.33
- Rush Yards: 255.50
- Average Score Against: 13.67
- Total Yards: 271.66
- Pass Yards: 154.33
- Rush Yards: 117.33
Why Bet On The Temple Owls?
Why should you bet on the Owls to get the upset win? Well, Temple is playing at home in front of some wild ass Philadelphia fans that I can tell you all about since I used to be one of them. The owls are also playing excellent football right now, having won two straight and four of their last five games since opening the season with consecutive losses against lowly Villanova and Buffalo.
The Owls smacked East Carolina around really badly in their 49-6 home win two weeks ago and they got past a difficult Navy team 24-17 last weekend as quarterback Anthony Russo passed for 300 yards with one touchdown and one interception while wide receiver Ventell Bryant had eight catches for 147 yards and one 62-yard touchdown.
“It was a fun game,” Owls coach Geoff Collins said. “I am just so amazingly proud. Those guys fought back. They stayed together and made play after play after play in an adverse situation in a hostile environment. You just can’t say enough about that group of young men who were in there.”
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 31.43
- Total Yards: 380.86
- Pass Yards: 239.43
- Rush Yards: 141.43
- Average Score Against: 22
- Total Yards: 333.28
- Pass Yards: 152.71
- Rush Yards: 180.57
Cincinnati vs Temple NCAA Football Week 8 Betting Trends
- Cincinnati is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 games
- Cincinnati is 5-0 SU in the last 5 games
- The total went UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games on the road
- Temple is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 games
- Temple is 4-1 SU in the last 5 games
Expert Analysis and Prediction for Cincinnati vs Temple
I know Temple is playing excellent football right now and that they’re playing at home, but Cincinnati has found ways to win this season even when they haven’t played their best football.
Yes, I am concerned that the Bearcats have played a super soft schedule that includes games against small school programs like Miami-Ohio and Alabama A&M, but I’m going to back the Bearcats to get the win and narrow ATS cover anyway.
Cincinnati has gone 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. I know Temple is 5-0 ATS in its last five games and 4-1 ATS in their last five dates against Cincinnati, but this season, the Bearcats have the better team and I believe they’ll get the road win and narrow ATS cover because of it.
NCAA Football Week 8 Pick: Cincinnati 27 Temple 21
