Bet on College Football: Cincinnati Bearcats vs Syracuse Orange

Cincinnati Bearcats (7-0 SU, 4-2 ATS) at Syracuse Orange (3-4 SU, 4-2 ATS)

Saturday, October 31: 12:00 p.m.

BetOnline.com Football Betting Odds: Cincinnati -15 ½

Here are some BetOnline.com Betting Trends Which May Impact This Game:

• Cincinnati: 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games
• Cincinnati: 5-0 SU in their last 5 road games
• Cincinnati: The total has gone OVER in 6 of their last 8 road games
• Syracuse: 6-13 SU in their last 19 home games
• Syracuse: 1-5 SU in their last 6 games against Cincinnati
• Syracuse: Total has gone under in 4 of their last 5 games against Cincinnati

It will be a battle between the top and the bottom of the Big East Saturday, when undefeated and No. 8 ranked Cincinnati travels to the snowy white north to take on Syracuse.

In just his third season in Cincinnati, Brian Kelly has the Bearcats playing as well as any team in college football. They are 7-0 this season, after winning 11 games for the first time in school history a year ago. And despite getting everyone’s best shot, they continue to roll, including last week’s 41-10 win over Louisville.

For Cincinnati it all starts on the offensive side of the ball. The Bearcats are currently college football’s second ranked scoring offense at 40 points per game, and seventh with 458 yards a contest. It doesn’t seem to matter who’s under center- whether it’s Zach Collaros or injured starter Tony Pike- they continue to roll. Last week, without Pike, the offense still managed 468 yards of offense in the victory over Louisville.

What’s maybe more surprising then the offense though, is how well the defense is playing. Despite losing 10 starters from last year’s squad, this unit continues to get better from week to week. They are currently ranked 11th in college football, as they give up just 13 points per game.

As for Syracuse, things are improved under second year head coach Doug Marrone, but are hardly like the glory days the program enjoyed a decade ago.

This team is young, but is coming off a win last week against Akron. In the game, quarterback Greg Paulus finally got going, completing 12 of 17 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. On the season, he has struggled however, as he’s thrown just nine touchdowns to 10 interceptions. It is also important to note that Delone Carter, had by far his best week of the season against Akron, as he rushed for 170 yards on 30 carries, and three scores.

Just like Syracuse’s offense, their defense needs a lot of work. They give up an average of 27 points and 355 yards per game. Neither will get the job done against Cincinnati.

What will make Saturday interesting is that it has not yet been determined who will start for Cincinnati. Regardless of whether it is Pike or Collaros, you have to think this offense will continue to roll with an inordinate amount of skill position talent.

Things are looking up at Syracuse under Marrone, but he simply just doesn’t have the horses yet. Despite a noon start and a raucous crowd in the Carrier Dome, the advantage in every phase of the game goes to the Bearcats. Take Cincinnati in the BetOnline.com College Football Betting Odds.

Aaron’s Pick: Cincinnati -15 ½