Cincinnati Bearcats vs Indiana Hoosiers Betting Preview: Cincinnati Looking for Big Road Win Over Dangerous Penix, Hoosiers

The Cincinnati Bearcats are riding high right now, and after the next few weeks, they could be riding even higher. This afternoon, the Bearcats visit Bloomington to take on the Indiana Hoosiers, and in two weeks, they travel to South Bend for a massive matchup with Notre Dame. Two wins will significantly enhance Cincinnati’s College Football Playoff hopes and set them up for an even greater season than they had last season.

This game doesn’t have the same shine it would if the Hoosiers were ranked, which they were before a season-opening loss at Indiana. But it is a big game for both teams, especially Cincinnati. The Bearcats are on their way to the Big 12, but they have some big things on their agenda while they are still in the AAC.

So far Indiana has not been able to recapture the feeling they had last year when they might have been the Big Ten’s second-best team. A win as a home underdog today would be an interesting result considering what we saw from the Hoosiers in their ugly loss to the Hawkeyes.

Both teams have a lot to gain and prove in this matchup. Who will come out on top?

Cincinnati Bearcats (2-0) vs. Indiana Hoosiers (1-1), ESPN, 12:00 p.m. ET

Cincinnati Bearcats vs Indiana Hoosiers Betting Odds

Moneyline

• Cincinnati Bearcats -192
• Indiana Hoosiers +152

Total

• OVER 50.5 (-106)
• UNDER 50.5 (-114)

Spread

• Cincinnati Bearcats -3.5 (-110)
• Indiana Hoosiers +3.5 (-110)

Cincinnati Bearcats vs Indiana Hoosiers odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Wednesday, September 18, 2021 at 8:10 a.m. ET.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs Indiana Hoosiers Betting Outlook

The Bearcats have looked alright so far but games against Miami of Ohio and Murray State were hardly real challenges. The biggest change from last year to this was the loss of defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman, who is now at Notre Dame. So far that has not been an obstacle. QB Desmond Ridder is very experienced and should be just fine in this road environment. RB Jerome Ford, who started his career at Alabama, has rushed for 234 yards and four scores so far and will be a big challenge for Indiana’s defense.

The defense has been very stingy against the pass to start the season, which will be key today. The key will be whether they can get a good push up front and put pressure on Hoosiers QB Michael Penix Jr. When you can do that, Indiana’s offense can struggle. Penix was picked off three times against Iowa.

Indiana Looks to Make a Statement

There is no way to sugarcoat it, the Hoosiers looked terrible against Iowa in the opener. The Hawkeyes may be better than expected, but a 34-6 result is not helping their case for last year’s season being a sign of positive things to come. Last week they beat up on Idaho, but that is what they were supposed to do.

Penix’s performance is the key to whether or not Indiana will have a chance to beat the Bearcats. This team is not good enough to overcome his bad games. They need everything to go right.

The offense needs to find some success because the defense is mediocre at best. Iowa ran all over the Hoosiers, and that has to be a concern for them this week. Iowa did get a couple of defensive TDs that helped them too, but if you can’t stop the run it is just a matter of time against solid teams. And the Bearcats are more dangerous on offense than Iowa, so the margin for error is even smaller.

College Football Betting Trends to Consider for Cincinnati Bearcats vs Indiana Hoosiers

• Cincinnati 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
• The Bearcats are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games.
• Bearcats are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
• Indiana is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games on fieldturf.
• The Hoosiers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
• The Hoosiers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs Indiana Hoosiers Best Bets

Cincinnati -3.5

So many times these underdog programs fail when they get their big chances to show what they can do. Cincinnati might be from the American, but they are not the dogs in this one and have all you need to get a big win on the road. They play good defense, and they have a quarterback they can count on.

I am excited this one is on the road where they Cincinnati must produce maximum effort and can’t get too comfortable. I would love the safety of the Bearcats at -3, and you can bet they are going to be a popular teaser pick. Can they beat Indiana the same way that Iowa did? Perhaps not, but a win will make a statement ahead of an even bigger game at Notre Dame in two weeks.

Cincinnati vs Indiana Score Prediction

Cincinnati 34, Indiana 24