Cincinnati vs. Indiana Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

Sept. 18, 2021

Stuart Durst
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Indiana Hoosiers Predictions

Score Prediction - Cincinnati 31 Indiana 23

If you've read my season previews here at VegasInsider, then you know I don't play around when it comes to Cincinnati. This is a team that can legitimately compete for a College Football Championship, against some of the biggest and best programs in the country. That being said, if they want to make it to the promised land, along with cashing my season long futures, it starts with beating Indiana in a huge road game.

Cincinnati is coming into this game 2-0, breezing through some fairly easy competition on the way. Indiana is coming in 1-1 after they faced a crushing defeat in Week 1 against a very good Iowa team, then bounced back in Week 2 beating down Idaho 56-14. This is going to be a really exciting game, and a huge test for both programs.

This line has continued to slowly move its way towards Cincinnati as we get into this week, starting at -2.5 and ending around -3.5/-4 in most places. Back in the old days of college football, you could reliably bet against teams like Cincinatti when they faced big name universities like Indiana. Fortunately the times have changed and these two programs are much closer in talent, and even recruiting ability, then a lot of casual fans may realize. This is going to be one of the biggest games of the season for Cincinnati, as they understand that Notre Dame is the biggest stage but none of that matters if they don't take care of business here first.

My pick is Cincinnati -3.5. In a lot of these articles, I stress my love for teams with the coach plus quarterback advantage. When you possess both of those strengths over an opposing team it can be overbearing, especially in college football. Desmond Riddler is a legitimate Heisman contender and possible NFL candidate. Meanwhile, Michael Penix Jr may be struggling to find a starting gig next year.

Luke Fickell is an AAC coach of the year award winner, while Tom Allen has had some ups and downs over the years. Overall, this Cincinnati offense is going to overpower Indiana and they are going to struggle to play from behind.

Penix played poorly against Iowa and didn't bounce back the way I expected against Idaho. I expected him to pass all over the Vandals and regain some confidence, but instead they mostly ran the ball. I’ll also take Cincinnati -2 in the first half, as they should take the lead early and hold onto it once Indiana is forced to limit the running game and throw the ball.

(AP)

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Indiana Hoosiers Best Bets

Cincinnati -3.5
Cincinnati 1H -2

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Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Indiana Hoosiers Game Odds

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Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Indiana Hoosiers Betting Resources

Matchup: AAC vs. Big 10
Venue: Memorial Stadium
Location: Bloomington, Indiana
TV-Time: ESPN - 12:00 p.m. ET

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Indiana Hoosiers Betting Analysis

We don't have much relevance against the spread data considering these two teams have not played each other in the last 20 years. Cincinnati is coming in 2-0 against the spread, crushing lesser teams, meanwhile Indiana is 1-1 after the tough loss to Iowa.

This should be a very good football game, as someone who has a lot invested in Cincinnati I think Indiana will challenge them and really show us what both teams have in the tank. Indiana may be the big name school here, but Cincinnati is an up-and-coming program ready to prove themselves on the national stage.