BYU vs. Cincinnati Prediction, Game Preview

The BYU Cougars (4-2) and the Cincinnati Bearcats (3-2) meet for the first-ever time Friday night in Provo. Check out the BYU vs. Cincinnati prediction and game preview.

BYU vs. Cincinnati Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Friday, October 16
Game Time: 8:00 ET
Venue: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah
Network: ESPN

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Why You Need To Care

BYU and Cincinnati meet for the first time Friday night, both looking to avoid their third loss of the season. For the Cougars, this will be their third straight meeting with a team from the American, having already handled Connecticut and East Carolina at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The Bearcats are looking to build off their last game, upsetting Miami before getting a bye. Cincy had been a disappointment prior to the Cane game, but still has the talent to make a run in the American race.

Why Cincinnati Will Win

The Bearcats have momentum. They defeated Miami, are well-rested following a week off and are getting back QB Gunner Kiel, who’ll compete with Hayden Moore for the starting job. Cincinnati is averaging 39 points a game, which includes 11 touchdowns from the ground game and a dozen from the passing attack. The team’s balance will cause problems for a so-so BYU D.

Why BYU Will Win

After sputtering at times in the first few games, the retooled Cougar offense is beginning to locate some rhythm with an all-backup backfield. BYU has scored 75 points the last two games, with QB Tanner Mangum and RB Algernon Brown heating up. The Cougs will be facing a very soft Cincinnati defense that’s allowing almost six yards a play and has registered just six sacks and four takeaways in five games.

Player Who Matters

The BYU defense has been beatable this fall, yielding 371 passing yards to ECU’s Blake Kemp a week ago. But will it be Kiel or Moore attempting to exploit the Cougars on Friday night? While Kiel was the cover boy to start the season, Moore has played very well in relief, setting school records against Memphis and engineering the Miami win. Whoever gets the ball from Tommy Tuberville will have access to a deep receiving corps that includes six players with at least 10 grabs.

What’s Going To Happen?

Points. Points. And more points. The offenses will be a step faster than the defenses Friday night, regardless of who’s under center for Cincinnati. The Cougars and Bearcats will trade blows in a see-saw battle that favors the former because of its home-field edge and its comfort level playing in games decided in the waning moments.