NCAA Football Odds – Louisville Cardinals at Cincinnati Bearcats
Saturday, October 24 – 3:30 PM ET
BetUS NCAA Football Odds: CINCINNATI -18
Tony Pike got injured in last week’s game with South Florida (a win against the NCAA football odds) and had to undergo surgery on his left (non-throwing) arm. Really, it amounted to repairing a plate that was in the arm, the result of an inuury that kept him out of some games last year. However, he may be able to play in this game against Louisville, with the use of a cast.
Here are some of the NCAA football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
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LOU has lost nine of its last 11 games SU
LOU has covered one of its last six road games
LOU has lost its last six road games SU
LOU has played six of its last nine road games OVER the total
CIN has won 12 of its last 13 games SU
CIN has won nine of its last ten home games SU
Also…
LOU has covered eight of the last 11 meetings
LOU has won five of the last six meetings SU
Four of the last six meetings have gone OVER the total
LOU has won and covered the last five meetings as the road team 
If Pike does not play, then Zach Collaros will get the call. Collaros came into the game with USF and all he did was run for a 75-yard TD and total 132 yards on the ground. Understand that Cincinnati’s offense is system-based; they use the spread. Each of them has a different way of operating within the spread – Pike is the passer, while Collaros is more of the runner. What this does is kind of create a conundrum for Louisville, in that they do not know what to emphasize in their preparation. Either guy is going to be able to move the football, because don’t kid yourself – Brian Kelly is the kind of coach who can improvise around just about anything. Look at what he and his staff have done with the defense, replacing TEN departed starters, including a few who were drafted, and currently placing 13th in scoring defense.
Louisville doesn’t get pressure on opposing passers (just nine sacks), are only so-so against the run (159 ypg allowed), and yield almost 68% completions. This is what we call “not a winning combination.” However, everything is not so dark. Louisville has gotten a shot in the arm by the insertion of junior college transfer Adam Froman at quarterback. Froman threw for 248 yards in an upset of Southern Miss, then turned around and was 24 of 31 for 295 yards against U-Conn, in a game where the Cards nearly got the cover in the NCAA football odds. Coach Steve Kragthorpe hasn’t even named him the permanent starter, but there is little mystery about who will be under center.
Take note that this is a geographic rivalry, and Louisville fans, who are about a hundred miles away, will form a healthy contingent. The last three meetings have been decided by 18 points, so Louisville gets “up” for this game. Don’t be surprised if it is competitive. As such, we’ll grab points with the Cardinals, the 18-point underdogs in the BetUS NCAA football odds.
OUR PLAY: LOUISVILLE +18 **
