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The winner of this week’s matchup between the Cincinnati Bearcats (5-4) and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (5-4) becomes bowl eligible. Check out the Cincinnati vs. Tulsa prediction and game preview.

Cincinnati vs. Tulsa Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 14
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Venue: Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Network: ESPNEWS

Follow and/or Contact @Rich Cirminiello

Why You Need To Care

Since Tulsa and Cincinnati are both a game above .500 with three left, this weekend’s winner at Nippert Stadium achieves bowl eligibility. And that would be an especially big deal for the Golden Hurricane, which has a rookie head coach, Philip Montgomery, and lost at least nine games in each of the last two seasons. The Bearcats had their two-game winning streak snapped last week in Houston, but they were the first team since Week 2 that came within three points of the Cougars. This is Cincy’s final home game, so securing that sixth win now will relieve pressure down the stretch.

Why Tulsa Will Win

Plenty of points are needed to defeat Cincinnati these days. The Hurricane is up to the challenge, scoring at least 40 in each of the last three games. Dane Evans is an experienced triggerman, Keyarris Garrett and Josh Atkinson are playmaking receivers and the backfield is flush with diverse options. Plus, the Bearcats can be a sloppy team, as shown last Saturday in Texas.

Why Cincinnati Will Win

Tulsa is potent on offense. The Bearcats, though, are just a notch better. Thank you, Gunner Kiel. Kiel has been on a tear the last three games, throwing for 523 yards against a quality Houston defensive backfield. The Hurricane also has more defensive holes that can be exploited, both on the ground and over the top, and is yielding more than 37 points per game.

Player Who Matters

The Hurricane has been like a Category 5 storm on opposing quarterbacks lately, which the Bearcats must address for Kiel to perform to his potential. From the second level, linebackers Matt Linscott and Trent Martin have been especially oppressive, combining for 28 tackles for loss. Tulsa may look to target LG Ryan Leahy, who’s been vulnerable this season.

What’s Going To Happen?

In an intriguing shootout, Cincinnati will have the better weapons than Tulsa. Put differently, the Golden Hurricane will have the worse D, allowing Kiel and his supporting cast to remain hot and reach that coveted bowl eligibility threshold. The Bearcats harbor the better secondary talent, a huge edge in this kind of a game.

Cincinnati vs. Tulsa Prediction

Final Score: Cincinnati 45, Tulsa 31, Line: Cincinnati -17.5, o/u: 76.5
Must See Rating: 5: Spectre … 1: The 33 … 2

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