In a rare yet pivotal matchup between Group of Five opponents, the Army Black Knights take on the Cincinnati Bearcats this Saturday, with both teams ranked.
The Cincinnati Bearcats opened up their 2020 season with a 55-20 victory last Saturday over Austin Peay. Expectations are high for the Bearcats this season as many have them being one of the best, if not the best, Group of Five schools in the country. Their offense is led by quarterback Desmond Ridder, who opened up 2020 with a great performance, throwing for 196 yards and two touchdowns while completing 13 of 19 of his passes before being taken out of the game to prevent injury during the blowout.
The Bearcats host Army, who have outscored their opponents 79 to 7 in their first two games. Army’s run offense is unstoppable and their defense might be one of the best in the country. The Black Knights are looking for a “signature” win and the Bearcats will be just that as the rest of Army’s schedule should be a cakewalk for them. Army’s run game is practically impossible to shutdown but if Cincinnati can get past the Black Knights’ stingy defense and force Army into passing situations on offense, the Bearcats should come away with the win.
But are the Army Black Knights a darkhorse in the 2020 season and on pace for an undefeated season? Or will their first blemish, and most likely only blemish, of this season be to the Bearcats?
Here’s how to watch and bet on the Army vs. Cincinnati game
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
- Start Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
- Stadium: Nippert Stadium
- TV Info: ESPN
- Odds: Cincinnati -13.5, O/U 45
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
Prediction: I think this game will be a more high scoring than the over/under says. I think both defensives are solid but I also think both offenses are hard to shut down for 60 minutes. The difference-maker in this one is the Bearcats’ ability to force Army into some tough third and long situations and I think they will force enough of those to somewhat slow down the Army rushing attack. Cincinnati is without it’s best receiver but Ridder is able to make plays with his feet as well, and Cincy takes an early lead that they defend and hold onto for the rest of the game. Army is very capable of winning this one but the diversity of the Bearcats offense takes the edge.
Score: Cincinnati 34, Army 31
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