Cincinnati Bearcats (3-7) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (6-4)
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. West Virginia Mountaineers 11/18/23 – As the Cincinnati Bearcats prepare to face West Virginia Mountaineers in Week 12 of NCAAF season, stakes are high in this intriguing matchup. The Bearcats with 3-7 record hope to improve their position while the Mountaineers boast an unblemished record at 6-4 – making Saturday a pivotal date in both teams’ seasons, drawing excitement among both fans and experts alike; many seeking expert NCAAF picks as a guide towards predicting its outcome.
Cincinnati Bearcats have shown incredible grit on the road this season, going 13-4 straight up. Running back Corey Kiner has been instrumental in this performance with 885 rushing yards at an impressive average of 5.5 yards per rush; his ability to find gaps and make significant gains will be critical against West Virginia’s defense. Wide receiver Xzavier Henderson boasting 648 receiving yards and three touchdowns is another key player who could provide much-needed offensive versatility against West Virginia.
West Virginia Mountaineers have demonstrated more consistency this season, as evidenced by their 6-4 record and impressive home performance (4-1 against the spread in their last five games at home). Running back CJ Donaldson Jr. will play an instrumental role in penetrating Cincinnati Bearcats’ defense thanks to his 755 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns; wide receiver Devin Carter with his deep field threat average of 18.5 yards per reception will create scoring opportunities by stretching Cincinnati’s secondary’s depth and creating scoring chances for himself and West Virginia Mountaineers offense.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. West Virginia Mountaineers 11/18/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 2:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium |
| TV: | ESP+ |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Emory Jones QB vs. Garrett Greene QB
Emory Jones has had an up and down season as Cincinnati’s quarterback. Completing 62% of passes for 1949 yards at an 89% completion rate while tossing 15 touchdowns against 10 interceptions has been central to Cincinnati’s offense. Jones’ ability to throw long passes – evidenced by one that traveled 53 yards – gives their play an extra edge while his 24 sacks indicate potential problems in both pocket presence and decision-making under pressure.
West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene has also been an invaluable asset, posting 1699 passing yards with 51% completion rate and 12 touchdowns against only 3 interceptions this season. Greene excels at moving the ball downfield efficiently; his average yardage per pass attempt average of 8.1 shows this. While his completion rate may not match Jones’, his ability to avoid sacks at just 4 shows greater decision-making and mobility in the pocket.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: West Virginia Mountaineers -245, Total Odds: 53.5
The current betting odds place the West Virginia Mountaineers as the favorites, with a -245 moneyline and a spread of -6.5. The total for the game is set at 53.5 points, reflecting expectations of a moderately high-scoring game. Given these odds, bettors might lean towards West Virginia, especially considering their stronger overall season performance and home-field advantage.
Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Trends
Cincinnati’s betting trends paint an uncertain picture. Over their last eight games, they have struggled to cover the spread, going 2-6 against the spread, while only winning seven outright wins. Yet their 13-4 road win/loss record suggests they might perform better than expected away from home; bettors should consider this trend carefully given Cincinnati’s potential for surprise road victories.
West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Trends
West Virginia has seen more favorable betting trends recently, posting an impressive 6-3 ATS record over their past nine games and covering the spread with ease, suggesting they are performing as or above expectations by oddsmakers. Their 6-3 record against the spread bolsters this assertion further while four of their five matches saw overs go over the total, suggesting higher-scoring contests that may influence bettors considering this matchup’s over/under totals.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. West Virginia Mountaineers 11/18/23 Betting Picks
West Virginia Mountaineers appear to be the superior team in this matchup, having shown impressive road potential themselves. Their track record of covering spreads and winning outright makes them safer bets compared to Cincinnati Bearcats; plus given both teams’ offensive capabilities, betting on an increase total score could also be wise move.
For the Multi-handicapper tips, considering all factors, a bet on West Virginia to cover the spread seems prudent. Bettors may also want to explore prop bets related to individual player performances, particularly focusing on key players like CJ Donaldson Jr. and Garrett Greene. As for the over/under, leaning towards the OVER might be a smart move, aligning with recent trends of both teams.
Free Pick and Prediction: West Virginia Mountaineers 31, Cincinnati Bearcats 24