Birmingham Bowl Total Prediction
Can we expect a low-scoring game when No. 21 Cincinnati faces Boston College in the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl on Thursday at 3PM ET?
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 points against Boston College. The over/under total is listed at 55.5 points. The public betting currently has 74 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.
BC goes in a new direction
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. 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.
Cincinnati drops two to Memphis
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.
College Football Betting Trends
Boston College
The Eagles have hit the over in four straight bowl games and in four of their last five games following a win.
Cincinnati
The Bearcats are 5-2 with the over in their last seven bowl games, but 20-8 with the under in their last 28 following a loss.
Prediction:
The Cincinnati defense has told the story in most games this season. The Bearcats even gave a powerful Memphis offense some issues in their two meetings. While BC has put up strong numbers this year, I think they will struggle with the Bearcats in this one. The Eagles have to be a little distracted with a coaching change and I don’t expect their best against a physical Cincy team that will test their toughness. Cincinnati may be able to take advantage of a bad BC defense, but the Bearcats are more about ball control than explosiveness.
Birmingham Bowl Prediction: Cincinnati/Boston College Under 55.5