Baylor Bears (2-4) vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (2-4)
Baylor Bears vs. Cincinnati Bearcats 10/21/23 – The upcoming showdown between the Baylor Bears and the Cincinnati Bearcats is set to be a gripping affair as both teams vie for a much-needed victory to salvage their season. With both teams standing at a precarious 2-4, Saturday’s game is pivotal for postseason aspirations. As the NCAAF Week 8 unfolds, followers and punters look forward to top NCAAF free picks.
Throughout the season, the Baylor Bears have exhibited moments of exceptional skill, though their journey has been marred by inconsistency. Richard Reese, Baylor’s premier running back, has consistently showcased remarkable prowess, with an average of 4.7 yards per rush attempt. Concurrently, Monaray Baldwin, their wide receiver, has emerged as an indispensable component of their passing offense, accumulating an admirable 404 receiving yards from a mere 17 receptions.
Conversely, the Cincinnati Bearcats have navigated through challenges, yet maintain an optimistic stance. Corey Kiner, their running back, has distinguished himself with an average of 5 yards per rush attempt and a commendable maximum rush of 68 yards. Further complementing their offense, wide receiver Xzavier Henderson has recorded 414 receiving yards from 30 receptions, consistently bolstering the Bearcats’ prospects.
Baylor Bears vs. Cincinnati Bearcats 10/21/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 12:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Nippert Stadium |
| TV: | ESP+ |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Blake Shapen QB vs. Emory Jones QB
Blake Shapen has led Baylor Bears’ offensive efforts with excellence this season. Completing 64 of 103 pass attempts accumulated 920 passing yards at an impressive completion percentage of 62.1 percent – this represents an average 8.9 yards per attempt and record pass of 71 yards, his proficiency in long-range throws can be seen clearly; adding 4 touchdowns without an interception further underscores his good decision-making on the field; however his 12 instances where he was sacked highlights potential areas of concern when up against formidable defensive teams.
Emory Jones of the Cincinnati Bearcats has seen some struggles despite his impressive statistics. Completing 114 out of 187 pass attempts for 1,322 passing yards while maintaining an average yards per pass average of 7.1 indicates his measured approach to the game. Although Jones registered 11 passing touchdowns and 8 interceptions (similar to what Shapen experienced), these may reflect some decision-making issues under pressure and had also been sacked 12 times, suggesting potential issues with offensive line protection.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Cincinnati Bearcats -147, Total Odds: 50.5
The current odds slightly tilt in favor of the Cincinnati Bearcats. Despite both teams having an identical W-L standing, the bookmakers perceive the Bearcats as having a slight edge, especially being on their home turf.
Baylor Bears Betting Trends
The Bears have faced a rough patch recently, being 1-6-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 8 games. A trend towards low-scoring games is evident as the total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baylor’s last 5 games. The Bears also seem to struggle on the road, with the total going OVER in their last 6 road games. Their record against teams from the American Athletic Conference is also not favorable, with the total going OVER in 8 of their last 10 encounters.
Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Trends
The Bearcats, too, have been grappling with inconsistencies. They are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games and have a troubling 1-7 record ATS in their last 8 home games. Their games against Big 12 opponents have also proven to be challenging, registering 1-7 straight up in their last 8 games against this conference. October seems to be a low-scoring month for Cincinnati, with the total going UNDER in all 7 of their last games played in this month.
Baylor Bears vs. Cincinnati Bearcats 10/21/23 Betting Picks
Considering the statistics and the trends, this game is set to be a closely fought contest. While both teams have shown flashes of brilliance, consistency has been an issue.
For those seeking premium insights, given Baylor’s struggles on the road and Cincinnati’s slight home advantage, it would be prudent to lean towards Cincinnati, albeit cautiously. However, considering the shaky defenses on both sides, betting on the OVER might be a viable option.
Free Pick and Prediction: Cincinnati Bearcats 28, Baylor Bears 24.