Sports Betting Picks – South Florida, Cincinnati Are Headed in Opposite Directions

The South Florida Bulls continue to flounder, while the Cincinnati Bearcats show some signs of life. Two teams going in opposite directions meet this Friday night on the gridiron.  

Sports Betting Picks: South Florida Bulls @ Cincinnati Bearcats 
Friday, October 22nd – 8:10 PM ET 
Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati 
Broadcast: ESPN2 
Odds: South Florida +7.5, Cincinnati -7.5 

In 2008 and 2009, the Cincinnati Bearcats owned the Big East thanks to fearless play-calling and breathtakingly beautiful execution from a high-powered offense that exuded confidence whenever it took the field. Things are different for Cincinnati in 2010, but the Bearcats – following a road win at Louisville on Oct. 15 – are 1-0 in the league and can still claim to be very much in the conference race. This wasn’t known for sure at the start of the season, but it can now be said with a lot more confidence that South Florida looks like the worst team in the Big East alongside Connecticut.

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The Bulls, under the guidance of first-year head coach Skip Holtz, just don’t have a whole lot of talent anywhere on their offensive unit. Last week’s Thursday night loss at West Virginia, a 20-6 stink-bomb of a performance, witnessed USF’s offense at its worst. The Bulls handed West Virginia seven points just before halftime thanks to an interception thrown by reeling quarterback B.J. Daniels. USF’s defense played extremely well, but a team with only one good unit and not two (or three, counting special teams) will fall short in a BCS conference, even one as weak as the Big East. South Florida’s season is already very much on the line in this game. 

Sports Betting Picks: What South Florida Has To Do To Win

The Bulls must find some way, any possible way, to score. South Florida has averaged just 7.5 points per game in two Big East losses, and in USF’s three most challenging games so far this season (against Florida and its two Big East opponents; the Bulls also played an FCS team and two Sun Belt foes), Daniels has tossed nine of his eye-popping 10 interceptions. There’s just no rhyme or reason to the Bulls’ offense at the moment. A sense of paralysis is pervasive in the offensive huddle, and that starts with Daniels’ inability to make good reads against defenses. It’s hard for everyone else in the USF lineup to trust Daniels when he so regularly surrenders possession of the ball. If Daniels delivers a clean performance – not necessarily a dynamic one, mind you – USF’s chances of winning will markedly increase.

Sports Betting Picks: What Cincinnati Has To Do To Win

Because the Bearcats needed three quarters to finally feel fairly confident against Louisville last week, Cincinnati can’t expect to just roll the ball out and dominate. Cincy must punch USF in the mouth and put the Bulls’ offense in predictable passing situations. Then, the Bearcats and co-defensive coordinators Tim Banks and Jon Jancek can dial up blitzes or any number of packages that can confuse South Florida quarterback B.J. Daniels, thereby producing turnovers that will turn a relatively close game into a runaway. If Cincinnati can harass Daniels and rattle him in the first half, the Bearcats should be in great shape on Friday night.

NCAA Handicapping: Outlook & Sports Betting Picks

Cincinnati will get to Daniels, and South Florida will continue to turn the ball over. The Bulls’  implosion – which shows no signs of coming to an end –  will lead to a miserable Friday night for the visiting team. The guests from the Sunshine State will not be well received in the southwestern corner of Ohio. Take Cincinnati minus the number. 

Sports Betting Picks: Cincinnati -7.5