Birmingham Bowl Prediction
Will the defense of No. 21 Cincinnati be too much for Boston College to deal with when the two meet up today at 3PM ET in the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl?
Game Snapshot & Odds
TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl
271 Boston College vs. 272 Cincinnati
Thursday, January 2, 2020
3PM ET – Legion Field
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Cincinnati is the clear favorite in this game, as the Bearcats are getting odds of -7.5 points against Boston College. The over/under total is listed at 54.5 points. The public betting currently has 77 percent going on Cincinnati as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Cincinnati coming off a pair of losses
Cincinnati had a really solid year end on a bit of a whimper after losing back-to-back road games with Memphis. The second was in the AAC Championship Game. The Bearcats come into this game 10-3 on the season, 8-5 against the spread and 10-3 with the under.
The Bearcats were pretty solid on defense this season, allowing 21.7 points and 376.6 yards per game. Ja’von Hicks is leading the defense with 48 tackles and five interceptions. Offensively, Cincinnati put up just 29 points and 385 yards per game. Desmond Ridder is leading the Bearcats this season with 2,069 passing yards and 17 touchdowns, while also rushing for 545 yards and two scores. Michael Warren II is adding 1,160 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. Alec Pierce is the top receiver with 34 catches for 621 yards and two scores.
Boston College with a new coach
Boston College ended its regular season with a 26-19 win at Pitt to have a 6-6 season, but the Eagles decided to part ways with coach Steve Addazio and hire Ohio State assistant Jeff Hafley, who will take over following the bowl game. The Eagles are 7-5 against the spread and 8-4 with the over.
The Eagles usually were known for defense, but they struggled a great deal this year by allowing 31.7 points and 480.3 yards per game. Offensively, BC averaged 30.9 points and 450.8 yards per game thanks to a rushing attack that averaged 267.4 yards per game. AJ Dillon is leading the way with 1,685 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns while David Bailey had 816 yards and seven scores. Dillon is electing not to play today, leaving the Eagles short-handed on offense. Dennis Grosel has filled in at QB for the injured Anthony Brown. He has thrown for 896 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for 203 yards.
College Football Betting Trends
Cincinnati
The Bearcats are just 1-4 against the spread in their last five against ACC opponents and 0-4 ATS in their last four bowl games.
Boston College
The Eagles are just 2-7 against the spread in their last nine bowl games, but 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games as an underdog.
Prediction:
Boston College has relied on offense this year, but the Eagles will be without their starting QB and top running back against a very good defensive team. Cincy’s defense held up in a pretty potent AAC schedule against some solid offensive teams. It should be able to hold up in this game against the Eagles. Boston College’s defense isn’t much to fear this year, so I think Cincinnati will be able to put together long possessions and move the game along efficiently while covering the spread.
Birmingham Bowl Prediction: Cincinnati -7.5
Related: Birmingham Bowl Total Prediction