NCAAF Week 15: Cincinnati vs. Tulsa odds, preview, and pick

In what amounts to a preview of the AAC Championship game to be held on Dec. 19, the No. 7 Cincinnati Bearcats (8-0) will head to Chapman Stadium on Saturday afternoon (4:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2) to take on the No. 18 Tulsa Golden Hurricane (6-1). Cincinnati was installed as a prohibitive favorite, but will they be caught looking ahead to next week’s rematch? Here’s our betting preview.

Both teams are on a roll

The Bearcats are a perfect 8-0 on the year, highlighted by victories over two ranked teams in No. 22 Army and No. 16 SMU. They’re also 6-0 in conference play this season.

The Golden Hurricane has suffered four postponements in 2020, including this game with Cincinnati from Oct. 17. But they’ve still managed to win six straight contests heading into Saturday, with triumphs over ranked programs in No. 11 UCF and No. 19 SMU.

Bearcats offense has been electrifying

Cincinnati is 13th in the country in points per game (40.9). They’ve amassed 44 points per game over their last five contests.

Dual-threat junior quarterback Desmond Ridder has thrown for 1,821 yards in 2020 and added another 526 yards on the ground. He’s accounted for a team-high 27 touchdowns this season. Senior tailback Gerrid Doaks has had a fine campaign on the ground as well (4.8 yards per carry on 137 attempts, seven touchdowns).

Tulsa’s defense is a respectable 18th in the country in passing yards allowed per game, but they're just 53rd in rushing yards allowed per game.

Tulsa’s offense can pile on yardage too

The Golden Hurricane bring a solid offense to the table as well. Prior to their 19-6 struggle of a victory against Navy in Week 14, Tulsa averaged 33.6 points per game over their last five contests.

Running backs Deneric Prince, Corey Taylor II and T.K. Wilkerson lead a three-headed rushing attack for Tulsa. Senior quarterback Zach Smith and his 41st-ranked passing attack will host a Bearcats defense that’s 25th in the nation in stopping the pass.

Trends say Over should cash

Cincinnati has exceeded the total in three of its last four overall games heading into Saturday. The Over is 5-1 in their last six games as road favorites, and 8-3 in their last 11 December games.

Tulsa has not been trending Over, but five of their seven games this season have exceeded the relatively-low total posted for this tilt.

Score prediction: Cincinnati 31, Tulsa 27

NCAAF Pick: Over 46 points

Wager on all NCAAF Week 15 action on BetAmerica!