Last Updated on December 5, 2009 7:00 am by shah
Big East Battle
It isn’t labeled as the Big East Championship but that is what No. 5 Cincinnati and No. 14 Pittsburgh are playing for when they meet Saturday at Noon ET from Heinz Field.
Bet Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
The Bearcats are 11-0 on the season and 6-5 against the point spread odds. Cincinnati is looking to complete an unbeaten season with a win and make their second-straight BCS bowl. The Bearcats have failed to cover in their last three games and last year’s win over Pitt ended a seven-game losing streak for Cincy.
Pittsburgh is 9-2 this season and 6-3-1 against the point spread odds. The Panthers are coming off a loss at West Virginia last week and have failed to cover in two-straight games. Trends show that the Panthers are 6-0 at Heinz Field this year.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com have made Cincinnati 2-point road favorites over Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon. The over/under total for this game has been established at 57.5.
The Bearcats have the top offense in the Big East, scoring 39.4 points per-game behind a strong passing attack. Tony Pike and Zach Collaros have each led Cincinnati to wins at quarterback and both have their strengths that they bring to the team. Receiver Mardy Gilyard has 75 receptions for 1,032 yards and 10 touchdowns to rank among the best in the nation at his position. Pittsburgh is second in the Big East in total defense as the Panthers allow 17.7 points and 319 yards per-game.
Pittsburgh is scoring 32.2 points per-game and the Panthers are led by sturdy running back Dion Lewis. Lewis has rushed for 1,446 yards and 13 touchdowns this season and is averaging 131 yards per-game and 5.8 yards per-carry. Cincinnati is giving up 18.6 points and 348 yards per-game, but has been stronger against the run than against the pass.
The key to picking this game will be simply which team you feel is better. With the point spread odds so low, the game is essentially a pick’em. Cincinnati has been dealing with rumors of coach Brian Kelly leaving for Notre Dame all week, but Kelly recently agreed to an extension with the Bearcats to silence the distractions. With the Bearcats a win away from a perfect season and an outside shot at the BCS Championship, you would have to expect the Bearcats to bring their best. Pittsburgh will need Lewis to have his biggest game yet and keep the Cincinnati offense off the field. If the game hits the under, it should favor Pitt. It it goes over in a shootout, look for Cincy to prevail.
College Football Week 14 Betting Trends
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Week 14 College Football Injury Report
CINCINNATI
No Injuries Reported
PITTSBURGH
No Injuries Reported
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh Odds
Cincinnati Bearcats -2 Over 57.5 (-130)
Pittsburgh Panthers +2 Under 57.5 (+110)
Bet Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
Posted: 12/5/09 7:00AM ET