Cincinnati vs. BYU Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 5: Defensive Battle on Deck in Provo

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27 September 2023

Cincinnati vs. BYU Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 5: Defensive Battle on Deck in Provo

Our top Cincinnati vs. BYU prediction is based on the leading college football odds from our best sports betting apps.

Cincinnati has dropped two straight after opening the season 2-0. Though the Bearcats' defense looked sharp against Oklahoma, the offense managed only six points.

Meanwhile, BYU played its first Big 12 conference game, losing 38-27 to the Kansas Jayhawks in Lawrence. Despite scoring 27 or more points in three of its four games, the offense is averaging just 324.5 yards per contest.

Here is our best Cincinnati vs. BYU prediction and our college football picks (odds via our best college football betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Cincinnati vs. BYU prediction: Week 5

Under 48.5 (-110 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐

The spread isn't worth a play for us. The Bearcats’ defense looked great against the Sooners just one week after getting lit up by Miami (OH). On the other side, if the Cougars didn’t turn the ball over three times against the Jayhawks, they’d likely be 4-0. But turnovers have been a problem for them this season, and the Bearcats have forced seven thus far.

Instead, we recommend playing the Under. Of the Bearcats’ four games, only one of them has gone Over 48 points in regulation. If the defense plays even close to how they did last week, then the Cougars’ one-dimensional offense could face some serious difficulties.

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The Bearcats are averaging 214.8 yards per game. The Cougars are allowing 130 yards on the ground per contest. We expect the Bearcats to try to take advantage of this mismatch and keep the ball away from the Cougars’ offense. But even when the Cougars have the ball, there is no reason to think they’re going to light up this defense.

The Cougars have been involved in some high-scoring games, but their offensive and defensive numbers don’t support this continuing. To score in the 30s, they need to force turnovers. It could happen, the Bearcats’ Emory Jones has thrown five interceptions this year.

However, the defenses are simply better than the offenses in this matchup and they will hold their own even when faced with short fields.

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Cincinnati vs. BYU best odds

Every major sportsbook is in agreement about the total and the price.

However, if you are on the Cougars like so many people are, then bet365 is your place to bet. They’re currently offering Cougars -1.5 for -110. It’s the smallest spread available at the moment, and therefore, the best place to parlay right now.

Cincinnati vs. BYU odds

The Cougars opened as 2.5-point favorites, and the number has moved to the key number at our best sports betting apps. At this time, 77% of wagers are backing the Cougars at home in this one. Since some sportsbooks have already made the move to -3, we don’t think it will be long before the few holdouts do the same. If you want to back the Bearcats, our best advice is to wait.

As for the total, the number opened at 48.5, and it has not moved despite 67% of wagers backing the Over. If the support continues in this fashion, then we expect this number to hit a full seven touchdowns and maybe more before kickoff on Friday night.

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