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Get ready for an American Athletic battle as the Cincinnati Bearcats and the UCF Knights will face off at noon ET on Saturday at Nippert Stadium. Cincinnati is out to keep their three-game home win streak alive.
The Bearcats entered their contest last Friday as the heavy favorite, and they fully lived up to expectations. They claimed a resounding 52-3 win over the Temple Owls at home. The game was all but wrapped up at the end of the third, by which point Cincinnati had established a 45-3 advantage. Their RB Jerome Ford was on fire, rushing for two TDs and 149 yards on 15 carries. Ford put himself on the highlight reel with a 75-yard TD scramble in the third quarter.
The Bearcats' defense was a presence as well, as it got past Temple's offensive line to sack the QB five times for a total loss of 30 yards. It was a group effort with five guys contributing.
Meanwhile, it was all tied up 3-3 at the half for UCF and the East Carolina Pirates last week, but UCF stepped up in the second half for a 20-16 victory. Among those leading the charge for the Knights was RB Johnny Richardson, who rushed for one TD and 104 yards on 16 carries.
This next matchup looks promising for Cincinnati, who are favored by a full 21 points. They have been consistent moneymakers against the spread when favored (4-0), so they might be worth a quick bet.
The wins brought the Bearcats up to 5-0 and UCF to 3-2. A couple stats to keep in the back of your head while watching: Cincinnati enters the contest having picked the ball off nine times, good for fifth in the nation. Less enviably, UCF is stumbling into the game with the 187th most thrown interceptions in the nation, having thrown five on the season. Cincinnati's secondary is poised to pounce all over the Knights' passing game.
