West Virginia quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. converted two fourth downs on a 92-yard touchdown drive against Arizona. Three snaps later, the Wildcats had restored their two-touchdown lead. At 3–3, the Mountaineers host Cincinnati for Saturday’s noon homecoming game at Milan Puskar Stadium; the Bearcats return from a bye after Arizona battered them, too. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s college football game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
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WVU vs. Cincinnati prediction, preview
Hawkins gives coach Rich Rodriguez another way through a crowded front. He gained four yards on third-and-four at Arizona’s six before freshman back Amari Latimer finished that march. Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield has called for his safeties to help tackle Hawkins and running back Cam Cook, having watched Arizona’s backs run through missed tackles and blown fits in Tucson. Hawkins should find more one-on-one throws outside. He found receiver Prince Strachan for 36 yards on West Virginia’s next possession, then ran for 14 on the following snap. Cook finished that 75-yard touchdown drive.
They still squander too much. Cook fumbled at Arizona’s two before halftime, and Hawkins completed just 11 of 28 passes as West Virginia repeatedly failed on fourth down. Cincinnati linebacker Antwan Peek Jr. has already forced three fumbles through five games. Rodriguez intends to hold the ball to protect his defense, too. West Virginia needed 76 carries to gain 303 yards last week, so a patient afternoon could consume plenty of clock. With Cincinnati allowing touchdowns on only 11 of 21 red-zone visits through five games, Rodriguez could burn several minutes getting downfield and still settle for a kick.
Cincinnati’s backs should recover some of the ground Arizona denied them. Cole Tabb and Gi’Bran Payne combined for 250 rushing yards against Kansas State, then managed only 43 on 17 carries in Tucson. Quarterback JC French IV, a Georgia Southern transfer, labored through 29 attempts for 153 yards. Even when Cincinnati drove 86 yards before halftime, Arizona hurried French into a fourth-down incompletion at the two. Satterfield acknowledged failures in both coaching and execution up front. His five starting linemen have played together all season; the bye gave them time to rehearse the corrections before another road game.
Cincinnati vs. WVU pick, best bet
Those blockers face a defense Arizona gashed for rushing touchdowns of 40 and 30 yards. Tabb has already shown he can finish a sustained possession: his 14-yard score capped a 75-yard march against Kansas State. Better gains on early carries should spare French some desperate throws. Receiver JV Gibson went from a 64-yard catch against Kansas State to no catches in Tucson. West Virginia has conceded 9.7 yards per pass attempt through six games. Starting corner Nick Taylor is now questionable, up from doubtful; his possible return makes 63.5 my limit. Arizona still scored 52 while West Virginia hoarded the ball for nearly 11 minutes longer.
Best bet: Over 63.5 (-108).
Projected score: West Virginia 35, Cincinnati 34.
Best Bet: Coastal Carolina vs. Appalachian State u49.5 total points scored (-115)
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