Cincinnati Bearcats at Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Preview

One of the biggest college football games of the weekend will take place in South Bend, Indiana as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish host the Cincinnati Bearcats. This game might be a College Football Playoff elimination game, while the winner will receive a huge resume boost.

Cincinnati has gotten off to a perfect 3-0 start to the year, and that includes a double-digit win over the Indiana Hoosiers. The Bearcats are huge favorites to win the American Athletic Conference, but they need a win over Notre Dame to stay in the conversation.

Notre Dame is a perfect 4-0 on the year, and they have won back-to-back games against Big Ten Conference opponents. The Fighting Irish are now number 9 in the most recent AP Poll, but another win could get them into the Top 5.

The Cincinnati Bearcats are 2.5-point favorites over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday afternoon.

Ridder Helping Bearcats Roll

Desmond Ridder has been terrific in leading the Cincinnati offense this season as he has thrown for 748 yards and seven touchdowns, and he can also makes plays with his legs. Ridder won’t be afraid of playing in a tough environment, but his offensive line will have to give him time to operate.

Running the football well can also help Cincinnati take control of this game, and they have racked up 165 rushing yards per game. The Bearcats usually want to play fast, but they will have to win the time of possession battle.

The defense of Cincinnati has also been solid this season as they are allowing just under 300 yards per game. The secondary will be tested on Saturday, but the Bearcats will be dominant against the run.

Fighting Irish Need to Run

If Notre Dame is going to deliver Cincinnati its first loss of the season, then the Fighting Irish are going to have to run the football. This team is averaging just 81.5 rushing yards per game this season, and that isn’t going to get the job done.

Jack Coan has put up some big numbers for the Fighting Irish this season, but he was also knocked out of the game against Wisconsin. Coan has the ability to take some deep shots down the field, and that will put pressure on the Bearcats.

The Notre Dame defense took over the game against Wisconsin, but they are facing one of the best quarterbacks in the country on Saturday.

Cincinnati Completes Massive Win

Few teams are ever favored to beat the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium, especially a team from outside of a Power 5 Conference. Cincinnati continues to try to gain more respect and recognition nationally, but a win on Saturday would be hard to ignore.

The Fighting Irish are expected to have quarterback Jack Coan back for this game, and he has been terrific on offense. The lack of a running game is going to hurt Notre Dame on Saturday and will ultimately cost them a chance at winning.

Cincinnati controls this game from the beginning and pulls away in the fourth quarter for a double-digit win. Bet the Cincinnati Bearcats -2.5 over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as they complete this massive win in South Bend.

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