No. 8 Cincinnati Bearcats Face First Road Test Against Indiana Hoosiers: Betting Preview

By Michael Davidson

December 7, 2024 at 04:22 AM

The No. 8 Cincinnati Bearcats face the Indiana Hoosiers at noon EST Saturday on ESPN in their first road game of the season.

Cincinnati enters with a perfect record after easy wins against Miami (OH) and Murray State, while Indiana lost 34-6 to #5 Iowa before bouncing back with a 56-14 win over Idaho.

Game Odds:

  • Cincinnati -3.5 (-105)
  • Indiana +3.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under: 49.5 (O: -105, U: -115)
  • Moneyline: Cincinnati -170, Indiana +150

Keys for Cincinnati:

  • Maintain top-20 defense allowing just 3.74 yards per play
  • Force turnovers from struggling QB Michael Penix Jr. (3 INTs)
  • Continue offensive production behind QB Desmond Ridder and RB Jerome Ford

Keys for Indiana:

  • Establish running game with Stephen Carr (4.3 YPC)
  • Improve Penix Jr.'s 53.2% completion rate
  • Prevent big plays on defense

Prediction: Cincinnati's talent advantage on both sides of the ball should prove too much for Indiana. The Bearcats will win this key road test before their Week 5 showdown at Notre Dame.

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The game represents different priorities for each team - Indiana seeks a quality non-conference win, while Cincinnati needs the victory to maintain College Football Playoff aspirations.

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