Machine Plays: 10-2
Current Streak: 9-0
Lousiville will see the toughest defense they've played (by far) tomorrow night. They will come in overconfident after pounding Memphis, and they will get a wake-up call in a big way. Cinci coach Butch Jones took the Fresno St loss and completely rebuilt this team in a matter of four weeks, shuffling every OL and replacing three starters. The result: a near win against Oklahoma and a tough game vs NC State on the road (without Cinci's star RB).
Now factor in the fact that Cinci's RB Pead is finally healthy. What has he done since returning? 169 YARDS vs Oklahoma and 197 YARDS vs Miami-OH (who is a far better team than Memphis, BTW). Look for him to go ******* ape-shit vs a Louisville defense that has surrendered 148 rushing yards per game against second and third-rate competition! Pead has opened the game up for QB Collaros, who is now hitting everything in sight to the tune of 12 TDs and 1 INT (305 yards against Oklahoma).
Let's not forget what happened last year: the same two QBs faced-off. The result: Cinci 41-10. Granted, Louisville has more offense this year, but I'm not ready just yet to hand the baton to a Louisville club who struggled to get past Eastern Kentucky. Louisville relies on the rush, but Cinci only gives up 85 rushing ypg. Mismatch! And Cinci has faced far better competition.
** Now the money factor: Louisville is without their best WR Beaumont **
Louisville is 2-10 ATS vs the Big East for a reason: their talent hasn't matched their hype.
CINCI -2.5