Can the Cincinnati Bearcats (5-3) stay hot or will the Houston Cougars (8-0) remain unbeaten? Check out the Houston vs. Cincinnati prediction and game preview.

Houston vs. Cincinnati Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 7
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Network: ESPN2

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Why You Need To Care

Things are about to get serious for No. 18 Houston, which just blasted Vanderbilt, 34-0, worse than Georgia or Ole Miss had earlier in the year. The Cougars are one of the nation’s last undefeated teams, with key American showdowns with Cincinnati and Memphis upcoming in the next two weekends. The Bearcats, too, are heating up, though, blowouts of Connecticut and UCF might temper enthusiasm. All eyes will be on the quarterback duel between Cincy’s Gunner Kiel and Houston’s Greg Ward Jr., who was just named a Maxwell Award semifinalist.

Why Cincinnati Will Win

The offense has hit its stride ever since Kiel returned to health a few weeks ago. Over the last two games, he’s completed 41-of-50 for 646 yards, seven touchdowns and no picks to help unlock the Bearcats’ array of quality skill position players. Points and balance will be needed to knock off Houston this season; Cincinnati is averaging almost 39 points per game, while ranking fourth in the league in rushing and No. 1 in passing.

Why Houston Will Win

Yeah, both teams are capable of moving the sticks. The Cougars, though, are far better equipped at making stops. Cincinnati is just an average defensive squad, concerning with Ward on the other side of the line. However, Houston isn’t getting nearly enough attention for an aggressive D that leads the American in sacks and has allowed just 17 points over the last three games. An average Bearcat O-line will have its hands full trying to seal off hard-charging Cougar linebackers Steven Taylor, Tyus Bowser and Elandon Roberts.

Player Who Matters

When Cincinnati has really struggled this year, particularly against BYU and Memphis, a balanced mix of running and passing was their undoing. While Houston can certainly be diverse, nuancing Ward’s wizardry with the power of RB Kenneth Farrow, the health of the O-line must be monitored. The Cougars started three rookie linemen last week, including true freshman Will Noble at center. And it showed, with the team averaging just 2.9 yards per carry and yielding nine tackles for loss.

What’s Going To Happen?

The Cougar O-line is a concern, and Kiel is on fire. But this isn’t the spot that Houston gets upended. Ward is a force of nature that won’t be stopped by a mediocre Cincinnati defense. And the Coug D is just itching to rattle Kiel and force him into turnovers. The quarterbacks will trade blows for a time, but Ward is going to outduel Kiel en route to a 9-0 start.

Houston vs. Cincinnati Prediction

Final Score: Houston 41, Cincinnati 30, Line: Houston -9, o/u: 70.5
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