After each team picked up the first losses in their Big 12 campaigns, the Cincinnati Bearcats travel to Provo Friday night with a matchup against the BYU Cougars. Our Cincinnati vs. BYU prediction goes in-depth with looks at the DFS slate, which side to pick, and offers a game prediction of who we think should get their first conference win.
Cincinnati vs. BYU Betting and DFS Preview
- Spread
Cincinnati -2, BYU +2 - Moneyline
Cincinnati -130, BYU +110 - Over/Under
48 points - Game time
9:15 PM CST - Location
LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT - Predicted Weather at Kick
69 degrees, mostly cloudy, 20% precipitation, wind 12 mph - How to Watch
ESPN, ESPN+
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Cincinnati started the season 2-0 with wins against Eastern Kentucky and Pittsburgh. Two weeks ago, they were upset at home against instate rivals Miami of Ohio in overtime 31-24. That led to a tough first game as Big 12 members as Oklahoma also picked up a win in Cincinnati, 20-6.
The Bearcats currently sit at a 2-2 record with a 0-1 record in the conference.
Things have gone slightly differently for BYU as the Cougars won their first three matchups, starting with double-digit wins against Sam Houston and Southern Utah. After being down 14-0 to Arkansas in the first four minutes of that game, the Cougars fought back and picked up a 38-31 win on the road, flexing their muscles against the SEC.
Unfortunately for BYU, last week ended their unbeaten streak as they lost on the road to Kansas, 38-27. BYU sits at 3-1 on the year with an 0-1 conference record.
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
- QB Emory Jones, Cincinnati ($9,400)
- QB Kedon Slovis, BYU ($8.500)
- RB LJ Martin, BYU ($7,800)
- RB Corey Kiner, Cincinnati ($7.500)
- RB Ryan Montgomery, Cincinnati ($5,300)
- RB Deion Smith, BYU ($5,100)
- WR Xzavier Henderson, Cincinnati ($8,000)
- WR Chase Roberts, BYU ($7,500)
- WR Darius Lassiter, BYU ($7.100)
- WR Braden Smith, Cincinnati ($6,800)
- WR Dee Wiggins, Cincinnati ($6,700)
- WR Parker Kingston, BYU ($5,700)
- TE Isaac Rex, BYU ($7,000)
- TE Payten Singletary, Cincinnati ($5,300)
It’s been a mixed bag of performances for Cincinnati quarterback Jones, who has shown his mobility and proved to be a playmaker. Jones has passed for 970 yards and rushed for an additional 186 yards with 10 total touchdowns in four games.
The concern with Jones is he has thrown five interceptions in four games. BYU’s pass defense is third in the conference, allowing 196.5 yards per game and has had five interceptions. He’s a good play in fantasy, but be cautious of his turnovers.
BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis might be the safer pick at quarterback as BYU has proven that their offense mostly evolves around passing the ball.
Slovis has thrown for 1,017 yards and eight scores with three rushing touchdowns as well. He’s got a nice balance of solid receivers and has led his team to big wins early in the season. Cincinnati is the fifth worst in the Big 12 in pass defense (228.8), which could lead to a solid game for Slovis.
Cincinnati is in the top 15 in the nation in rushing offense, averaging 214 yards per game. Kiner has been a big reason for that, as he has rushed for 258 yards in the last two games for the Bearcats.
The combination of Kiner and Jones has made Cincinnati dangerous running the ball, which could make a long day for the Cougars’ defense.
Most weeks for BYU, playing a Cougar running back might be tough. Martin is the only player on the roster with more than 30 yards rushing, leading BYU with 223 yards. It’ll be a challenge to lean on Martin in rushing, so this would be a cautious play as well.
Xzavier Henderson has been Jones’ favorite passing target this season, leading Cincinnati with 23 receptions and 340 yards while scoring a touchdown. Henderson has had two games of over 100 yards, which should lead to another big game for the receiver.
BYU is more balanced with their pass catches as they have three pass catchers over 200 yards receiving.
Tight end Isaac Rex leads the team with 260 yards. Chase Roberts is the leader on the team in receptions with 18 as Roberts and Darius Lassiter are tied with two receiving touchdowns on the season.
Rex is a must-play at tight end with Roberts and Lassiter adding supplemental plays.
Prediction for Cincinnati vs. BYU
Neither team has had ideal starts to their Big 12 seasons, starting with losses. It’s hard to tell on paper which team is better because Cincinnati has been talented on offense but is ranked middle of the pack in the conference in defense.
BYU’s offense has been off to an unusually slow start to the season, as their pass defense has stepped up for them.
The advantages for BYU are they have been able to throw the ball efficiently and record five interceptions from their secondary. Slovis is the key to the team’s success as running the ball is not something the team does particularly well.
If they can incorporate their running game into the offense, they could put up big numbers.
While Cincinnati has suffered rough losses over the last two weeks, their biggest issue is protecting the football as they have turned the ball over six times.
Jones has shown signs of being an electric player on offense but must cut down on interceptions. The Bearcats are a more balanced attack with their rushing game being what makes them one of the best. Cincinnati’s path to victory across the country is to eliminate the turnovers.
This game will go down to the wire and should be a close contest. It’s a momentum-driven game as whoever has the ball last and protects the ball better wins the game. Both teams have talent and weapons on both sides of the ball.
It’s a toss-up on who will win so it is all about who has more potential to have a breakout game.
Prediction: Cincinnati 30, BYU 24