Cincinnati running back Cole Tabb ought to make Utah’s unbeaten team work for this one. He followed 118 rushing yards at West Virginia by ripping Texas Tech for 173 on just 16 carries, including a 58-yard touchdown. The Bearcats have become dangerous enough with the ball to make a touchdown at Nippert Stadium appealing. Utah has their own remarkable runner, and Cincinnati will spend much of Saturday trying to choose which Ute to tackle. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s college football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Utah Utes.
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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Cincinnati vs. Utah prediction, preview
Utah quarterback Devon Dampier punished Houston for choosing running back Wayshawn Parker. As coach Morgan Scalley explained, Houston attacked Parker on option plays; Dampier pulled the ball correctly and rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Scalley wants more gap runs and disguise for Parker, who managed 47 yards on 13 carries but hurt Houston for another 46 receiving. Cincinnati has to account for both.
Nose tackle Josh Hough remains questionable for the Bearcats, with freshman nose tackle Jonathan Rulo already having started against Texas Tech. Cincinnati sacked the quarterback four times and held the Red Raiders to three conversions on 15 third downs. Utah has been repairing protection communication with replacement left guard Roger Alderman playing for injured starter Kelvin Obot. Dampier can escape, but his blockers have to identify whom they’re supposed to stop before Cincinnati makes him run for survival.
Bearcats quarterback JC French IV can stretch Utah in return. He threw for 389 yards at West Virginia, with receiver Malachi Henry gaining 128 on two catches. Against Texas Tech, French passed for only 172 yards but threw four touchdowns; Cincinnati drove at least 55 yards for each of five scores. Coach Scott Satterfield has reason to let French attack through those receivers while Tabb does his damage on handoffs. That’s a lively offense to give a full touchdown.
French also threw two interceptions last week, and Cincinnati converted four of 13 third downs. Utah let Houston pass for 282 yards and convert nine of 17, yet conceded only one touchdown in three red-zone visits. Scalley’s defenders should force Satterfield to settle for kicks on some of French’s longer possessions. Cincinnati center Taran Tyo is questionable, with Grant Edgington the listed backup; Satterfield could have to repair the middle of his protection against that resistance.
Utah vs. Cincinnati pick, best bet
Dampier should find passing chances himself after throwing for 278 yards at Colorado. West Virginia threw for 464 against Cincinnati, repeatedly erasing leads. Utah can hurt that coverage, although Dampier has thrown four interceptions over his last two games. Against Houston, Utah also missed a field goal after advancing 76 yards. Scalley has watched his players squander too many promising possessions.
I favor Utah’s option game and defense near the goal line to win this. French and Tabb have sustained enough scoring possessions to challenge throughout, with Utah’s uneven finishing leaving me on Cincinnati at +7.
Best bet: Cincinnati +7 (-108).
Projected score: Utah 28, Cincinnati 24.
Best Bet: Cincinnati +7 (-110) vs. Utah
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