High-powered AAC squads meet at Nippert Stadium on Friday evening when the Cincinnati Bearcats host the East Carolina Pirates in a game with significant stakes in the conferences. Cincinnati is 18-1 in the last 19 AAC games, including 4-1 this season, and the Bears are 7-2 overall in 2022. East Carolina is 6-3 overall and 3-2 against conference opponents this season. Cincinnati is 2-6-1 against the spread, while ECU is 6-3 ATS in 2022.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Caesars Sportsbook lists Cincinnati as a 5-point favorite at home, and the total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 52.5 in the latest East Carolina vs. Cincinnati odds. Before you make any East Carolina vs. Cincinnati picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice what SportsLine's advanced computer model has to say.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past six-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on ECU vs. Cincinnati and just locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several college football odds and betting lines for Cincinnati vs. ECU:
- East Carolina vs. Cincinnati spread: Cincinnati -4.5
- East Carolina vs. Cincinnati over/under: 51.5 points
- East Carolina vs. Cincinnati money line: Cincinnati -205, ECU +170
- ECU: The Pirates are 3-2 against the spread in the last five games
- CIN: The Bearcats are 0-4-1 against the spread in the last five games
- East Carolina vs. Cincinnati picks: See picks here
Why East Carolina can cover
East Carolina's offense is superior to its defense, but the Pirates do have strong areas on the defensive side. The Pirates are No. 4 in the AAC in scoring defense, yielding 23.2 points per game, and East Carolina is in the top three of the conference in allowing 127.0 rushing yards per game and 3.6 yards per carry. Cincinnati is second-worst in the AAC in third down offense, moving the chains on only 37.7% of chances, and East Carolina's offense remains dynamic.
The Pirates are leading the AAC with a 69.7% completion rate, averaging 8.2 yards per pass attempt with only five interceptions and 12 sacks allowed in nine games. East Carolina is in the top three of the AAC in total offense and passing offense, and the Pirates lead the conference with a 50.8% third down efficiency mark. The Pirates also have a strong rushing attack, generating 5.0 yards per carry with 19 rushing touchdowns and 170.4 rushing yards per game.
Why Cincinnati can cover
The Bearcats are arguably stronger on defense than offense this season, but Cincinnati has plenty of success generating points. Cincinnati quarterback Ben Bryant has 2,358 passing yards, 18 touchdown passes, and only six interceptions, and he threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns without an interception in his last outing. On the ground, Charles McClelland has 727 rushing yards and 6.4 yards per carry, and he is averaging 6.8 yards per rush attempt against AAC opponents. All told, Cincinnati is averaging 33.2 points per game this season and giving up only 21.0 points per contest.
The Bearcats are excellent against the pass, leading the AAC in completion rate allowed, yards per pass attempt allowed, sacks created, and passer rating allowed. Cincinnati also leads the conference in yards per carry allowed on the ground (3.2), and the Bearcats are No. 2 in total defense. Cincinnati is 20-3 overall in the last 23 games, and the Bearcats have won 18 of the last 19 contests against AAC opponents.
How to make East Carolina vs. Cincinnati picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, with both teams projected to throw for more than 235 yards. The model also says one side of the spread hits in more than 60% of simulations. You can only see the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins East Carolina vs. Cincinnati? And which side of the spread hits in more than 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the East Carolina vs. Cincinnati spread you need to jump on Friday, all from the model that has crushed its college football picks, and find out.
