Lets nail the opening Bowl Game

[Master Capper]

Allright, I am ready for a college football fix and I dont care if it's the Mean Green and the Bearcats. Whats everyone's take on this game, I wonder if the Mean Green will be able to score enough to help the over come in? I know Cinci can score but they seem to really be a hit and miss team each week. Thus I am leaning towards either the Under or laying the points with the Cats.

 

[Marra]

Master-
I think you have to side with the Bearcats. It would be a different story if Cincy didn't have a good defense, but they do. Something like 30th best in the country. With North Texas' weak sauce offense, how are they going to score?

While North Texas does have a good "D", they have been playing some really inferior competiton. They gave up 12 total points in a 4 week span, which is great. However, UL Lafayette, UL Monroe, Idaho and Arkansas State are not offensive powerhouses. Something happened their last two games where they gave up 47 points combined to N.M. State and Middle Tennessee.

Cincy has outgained EVERY opponent in total yardage this year. I think the only other team to do that is Miami. Do to that, they are 7-3 ATS in their last 10. They played Hawaii at the island and held that offensive attack to 20 points. They had two "fluke" losses against So Miss and Tulane. They also beat TCU earilier in the season (but that was a "fluke" win if you saw that game on Labor Day). Cincy also has a big advantage in yards per attempt, a very important stat when handicapping IMO, at 7.6 to NT's awful 6.2.

All in all, I think something was exposed in North Texas' "D" the last 2 weeks, and Cincy should exploit that. I also just don't see how North Texas is going to be able to score on Cincy, minus a special teams TD or and INT for a touchdown. Since their is nothing you can do about that... I am banking on Cincy scoring about 24 points, and holding NT to 10 at the most.

 

[mw]

My initial look was to UNT. UC is disappointed with this opponent. Sometimes that fires a team up to prove a point, but I think UC players may fall into the same trap that UNT did last year -- having too much fun in the Crescent City. But I have a big problem with the fact that UC played so recently. They should still be in a rhythm, while UNT hasn't played since 11/23.

I keep hearing interviews with UNT players who say it's all busines this year. I have my doubts. But I see UC playing conservatively against an opponent with such a meek offense, and I like the under here.

 

[Master Capper]

Nice write ups guys, both have very valid points!!!!

 

[Got5onIt]

UNT is just a beefed up 1-AA school. They lack team speed and have a subpar QB. Here's both team schedules:
---North Texas---
Aug 31 @Texas Lost 0-27
Sep 7 Nicholls State Won 23-0
Sep 14 @Alabama Lost 7-33
Sep 21 @Texas Christian Lost 10-16
Sep 28 @Arizona Lost 9-14
Oct 5 South Florida Lost 17-24
Oct 19 @Arkansas State Won 13-10
Oct 26 @La.-Lafayette Won 27-0
Nov 2 Louisiana-Monroe Won 41-2
Nov 9 Idaho Won 10-0
Nov 16 New Mexico State Won 38-27
Nov 23 @Middle Tennessee Won 30-20
Dec 17 @Cincinnati 8:00pm

---Cincinnati---
Sep 2 Texas Christian Won 36-29
Sep 14 West Virginia Lost 32-35
Sep 21 Ohio State Lost 19-23
Sep 28 @Temple Won 35-22
Oct 5 Miami (OH) Lost 26-31
Oct 12 @Tulane Lost 17-35
Oct 19 @Southern Mississippi Lost 14-23
Oct 26 Memphis Won 48-10
Nov 7 @Louisville Won 24-14
Nov 16 Houston Won 47-14
Nov 23 @Hawaii Lost 19-20
Nov 30 UAB Won 31-23
Dec 6 @East Carolina Won 42-26
Dec 17 North Texas 8:00pm

I agree with an earlier post. Unless UNT can control the clock with the run game, they will have no success. And lets not forget, the Bearcats have a good defense themselves.
Give me Cincinnati -8

 

[Murph29]

Fun on Bourbon St

Fun on Bourbon St

Not sure Cinci will have much time for fun in NO. They just finished up finals and will be a quick trip to NO this weekend. Minter was worried about all the things the kids had been doing since last game with finals and practice etc. Do not think Cinci will have too much in NO this year. It's not like other bowls where they are there for a week or so. They'll only be there a few days. Something to consider.

 

[Box and one]

Like the under also.
Got5on it-NT is more then a beefed up D-1-AA.Ask the 85,000 at Texas back in August.Texas had a 27-0 lead and left it starters in until 5 minuts left.Simms and Monk got sacked 7 times as they held UT scoreless.
NT turned the ball over at the end as Arizona won 14-9.TCU had it lowest pt total 16 of the yr.In fact TCU beat Cinncy by7 and NT by 6.
I agree their "Sun" foes aren't the greatest but NT is a solid D-1 team.
They also have team speed.Branch and Marshall can fly.Marshall unforunatly drops as many as he catches.Your are right about their Qb.But there defense has speed also.
The key to this game is"can NT's offense move the ball vs Cinncy defense.The answer is NO.Can Cinncy offense move the ball vs NT defense.Sometimes and that is enough to cover the 8 pt spread.Like the under here also.

 

[twofingers]

Lets not forget the Bearcats have the WORST special teams I have seen in college ball in some times, especially punting.

 

[IX_Bender]

Assuming you are speaking of their coverages.

Their K Ruffin is 17-20 on the year and all misses were long attempts.

 

[djv]

It is being said N Tex very happy about this chance. With saying that I know there Off's is not so good. There Df's is decent. I believe less then 42 points will be scored in this game. I will play under.GL