Nippert Stadium; Cincinnati, Ohio
Gambling odds according to WynnBET:
- Line: Cincinnati -10.5
- Over/Under: 53.5
- Moneyline: Cincinnati -420; Houston +335
Welcome to the most exciting non-Power Five conference championship game. We’ve got College Football Playoff implications for one team, and honestly, there are New Years Six implications for both teams. It’s also a future Big 12 matchup, where these teams will head soon enough.
The Cincinnati Bearcats are obviously the story, as they are undefeated and ranked No. 4 in the CFP, No. 3 in the AP Poll and No. 4 in the Coaches Poll. A win almost certainly gets them a spot in the CFP as the first Group of Five team, but it’s not a guarantee, as a couple other games could have an impact on that.
Opposite Luke Fickell’s team, the Houston Cougars come in under third-year head coach Dana Holgorsen having taken a huge step forward. They’ve won every game since losing their opener to the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and at No. 21 in the CFP and No. 16 in the AP and Coaches Polls, don’t sleep on this team.
Prediction
Honestly, Cincinnati has some distractions. There are rumors of Fickell going elsewhere. Meanwhile, the SEC Championship game, which is going on at the same time, will have an impact on Cincy’s CFP hopes. The combination of those two things will result in Cincy playing sloppy early. Their defense is still elite, so they’ll win in a game that hits the under, but they won’t cover.
Cincinnati: 24 Houston: 20 (Houston +10.5; Under 53.5)
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