Houston vs. Cincinnati Prediction, Odds, Against Spread and Over/Under for AAC Championship Game

Nippert Stadium will be the scene of the American Athletic Conference Championship Game between the No.16 Houston Cougars and No. 3 Cincinnati Bearcats in Week 14. 

The Bearcats finished the regular season as one of only two teams to go a perfect 12-0. The other being the No.1 Georgia Bulldogs. Cincy beat Eastern Carolina 35-13 in Week 13 to cap off their perfect season and put them into fourth place in the CFP rankings for Week 14. 

Can the Cougars hand the Bearcats their first loss of the season and ruin their shot at becoming the first mid-major team to make the playoffs? Or will the Bearcats continue to dominate and make CFP history?  

Here are the current odds for the AAC Championship Game, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook. 

Houston vs. Cincinnati  Spread and Over/Under

Spread:

• Houston +10.5 (-110) 
• Cincinnati -10.5  (-110) 

Moneyline:

• Houston +320
• Cincinnati -400

Total:

• 54.0 (Over -110/Under -110)

Houston vs. Cincinnati Betting Trends

• The Cougars are 2-8-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 11 games against the Bearcats. 
• The Cougars are 2-7 straight up (SU) in their last nine games against the Bearcats. 
• The Cougars are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against eh AAC. 
• The UNDER is 4-2 in the Cougars’ last six games against the East Division. 
• The Bearcats are 2-4 ATS in their last six games. 
• The UNDER is 4-2 on the Bearcats' last six games.
• The Bearcats are 10-0 SU in their last 10 games. 

Houston vs. Cincinnati Prediction and Pick

While a lot of focus is being put on the Bearcats’ offense, their defense has been the real star of the season. Cincy is the fifth-best team in the nation in terms of points allowed at 16.5 PPG. They are eighth in total yards allowed at 307.8 and fourth in yards per play. The difference-making stat that jumps out to me is the Bearcats are third-best in the country in opponent red-zone scoring at 66.67 percent. So, if a team manages to beat the Bearcats defense back to the red zone, they are far from guaranteed to score. Remember, that number includes field goals. 

Houston won’t be without a chance in this game. They do rank in the Top-10 in offensive PPG and points per play. Their defense is seventh in the nation and allows 307.5 yards per game off 4.6 yards per play. 

This is a tough call because the Bearcats are playing to make history but the Cougars match up pretty well against them. I don’t doubt that Cincinnati makes it out of this game alive, but it won't be without some drama. I’m going to side with the Cougars on that juicy double-digit spread. 

Pick: Houston Cougars +10.5 (-110)