Free NCAA Football Prediction: Bearcats vs. Razorbacks Odds
Looking for Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Arkansas Razorbacks free picks? College football betting sees the Bearcats taking on the Razorbacks on Saturday, September 3rd at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 1 predictions like this Bearcats-Razorbacks free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 1
(0-0) (23) Cincinnati Bearcats vs. (19) Arkansas Razorbacks (0-0)
Date: Saturday, September 3rd, 2022
Time: 3:30 pm EST
Venue: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Arkansas
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: CIN +6.5 | ARK -6.5 (Bet Now!)
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Bearcats +200 | Razorbacks -250
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 51.5
The Cincinnati Bearcats will travel to Fayetteville and take on the Arkansas Razorbacks from Donald W. Reynolds Stadium. Both schools are coming off of standout seasons, and Arkansas is favored to win by 7 here at home, with the total opening at 51.5.
This will mark the first time these two programs have crossed paths in school history.
Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati is coming off of the best season in school history, posting an 13-1 record, qualifying for their first College Football Playoff. After defeating Houston in the AAC Championship, their lone loss came to an angry Alabama team in the Cotton Bowl, but Luke Fickell’s team really broke ground on both sides of the ball last season.
The Bearcats have a lot of pieces to replace, starting with the most important role, the quarterback position. AAC Offensive Player of the Year Desmond Riddler was one of the best in the country, and he’s now being replaced by Evan Prater.
Prater is a hometown product, who should go on to have a successful career at Cinci, but he’ll have a tough task making his first start at Razorback Stadium. The 6’4 quarterback is a threat through both the air and ground, and should pick up right where Riddler left off.
The Bearcats also lost leading rushing Jerome Ford to the NFL, meaning seniors Ryan Montgomery and Charles McClelland will thrust into bigger roles. Montgomery is the team’s leading returning rusher, gaining 309 yards and three touchdowns in 2021.
Cincinnati ALSO said goodbye to leading receiver Alex Pierce, who graduated and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in April. The Bearcats do return wideouts Tre Turner (32/414/2) and Tyler Scott (26/477/5), who will provide Prater with a pair of solid options to target.
Cinci’s vaunted defense from the 2021 won’t retain it’s three leading tacklers, and the loss of Sauce Gardner will be felt immediately.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas enjoyed their first winning season in five years in 2021, posting a 9-4 record that included signature wins over Texas and LSU. The Razorbacks bounced back in a big way last season, playing their best football since the Darren McFadden/Peyton Hillis days, and they’re in a good spot to kick their 2022 season off with another signature victory under head coach Sam Pittman.
Redshirt junior KJ Jefferson is set to return at quarterback for the Razorbacks this season. The 6’3 dual-threat QB had some big moments last season, picking up wins over Texas, Texas A&M, and LSU, before going onto throw for 326 yards and three touchdowns on the road against Alabama. Jefferson scored six touchdowns (3 pass, 3 rush) in a shootout loss to Ole Miss (52-51), and he was named 2022 Outback Bowl MVP after leading the Hogs to a victory over Penn State.
Jefferson could be in for another big season, and he could give this Cinci defense a lot of trouble with both his arm and legs. Jefferson threw for 2,578 passing yards with an impressive 21-3 touchdown-interception ratio, while rushing for 664 yards and six scores in 2021.
The run game is a big part of what Sam Pittman likes to do. Raheim Sanders and Dominique Johnson return in the backfield for the Hogs. Both backs enjoyed solid first seasons in Fayetteville, with Sanders rushing for 581 yards and five scores, and Johnson posting an identical 578 yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns.
The Razorbacks will feel the lost of Treylon Burks this season. The standout wideout led the team in receiving by a mile last season. Senior Warren Thompson is the leading returning pass catcher with 19 catches and 304 receiving yards.
Senior linebacker Bumper Pool’s return was huge, and he’ll look to lead the Razorback defense in tackles for a third straight season.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Arkansas are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Cincinnati are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Razorbacks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games.
- Bearcats are 5-3 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Free Week 1 NCAA Football Pick
The Razorbacks broke ground in their second year under the Sam Pittman regime, and with a dark-horse SEC Player of the Year candidate in K.J. Jefferson behind center, that momentum has a very a good shot of carrying into the 2022 season.
4* Free Week 1 NCAA Betting Pick: Arkansas -6.5
Cincinnati comes into this one with a lot new pieces in place, and while Luke Fickell will surely coach this group up and into place, a new signal caller will make his first start in what will be a very hostile environment. Fayetteville will be sold out and rocking, and the home crowd itself will play a big role in this one. This is not an ideal spot to make your first career start, and if presence of the Hogs fans gets to Evan Prater, Cincy could find themselves in a bit of trouble.
Trust the pedigree of the SEC and take Arkansas’ spread confidently at home in Week 1.
If you’re looking for more picks like this Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Arkansas Razorbacks matchup we’ll be providing 4* free College football game predictions on the blog all season long, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free CFB Football picks!
Register here for a FREE NCAA Football Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!
