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Cincinnati vs. Arkansas Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 1

By Josh Yourish

Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1)
Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) / Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
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The Cincinnati Bearcats are back after their historic 2021 season that ended in the College Football Playoff. They ended their season against an SEC and opponent and now kickoff 2022 against another team from down south. The Arkansas Razorbacks impressed a year ago and reached as high as No. 8 in the AP poll. 

Sam Pittman has Arkansas in a good spot heading into his third year as the head man. He will want to start off on the right foot against a ranked opponent in Week 1. 

Let’s take a look at the odds for this Top 25 matchup from WynnBET. 

Cincinnati vs. Arkansas Odds, Spread and Total

Arkansas vs. Cincinnati Betting Trends 

  • Arkansas went 8-4-1 against the spread (ATS) in 2021
  • Arkansas was an even 3-3 as a home favorite in 2021
  • Cincinnati went 8-6 ATS in 2021
  • Cincinnati was 0-1 as an underdog (loss to Alabama)

Cincinnati vs. Arkansas Prediction and Pick

KJ Jefferson is back at quarterback for the Razorbacks, but he won’t have his top target to throw to after Treylon Burks was taken in the first round of the NFL Draft.

However, this offense is built around the running game. They were seventh in the country in rushing yards per game a year ago and Jefferson was their top rusher. 

With their No. 1 running back gone, sophomore Raheim Sanders will step up and likely see the most carries. The Arkansas running game will be just as good if not better than a year ago, and the passing game gets a break against Cincinnati with Sauce Garnder and Coby Bryant both in the NFL. 

There is simply so much turnover in Cincinnati. Luke Fickell had a very deep roster last year and of course made it to the playoff, but without Desmond Ridder, Gardner, Bryant, and top receiver Alex Pierce, 2022 might not go as well. 

We saw how Cincinnati played against SEC opponents last season and it was clear that there was a wide talent gap and that has only gotten bigger with the departures at the end of last year. 

Pick: Arkansas -6 (-110)

Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE

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