The Cincinnati Bearcats are coming off a huge win over Notre Dame in South Bend last week and are building a legitimate case to become the first Group of Five team to qualify for the College Football Playoff.
But after last week’s big victory, are the Bearcats in a letdown spot as massive favorites against the visiting Temple Owls?
Find out with our free college football betting picks and predictions for Temple vs. Cincinnati on Friday, October 8.
Temple vs Cincinnati odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Cincinnati opened this AAC matchup as 28-point home chalk and have been bet up to -29. The total hit the board at 54 and has yet to see much action as of Wednesday morning. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets.
Temple vs Cincinnati picks
Picks made on 10/6/2021 at 11:40 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
If you're signing up for a new sportsbook for the 2021 college football season, here are two of the best welcome bonuses available:
USA: Risk-free bet up to $5,000 at Caesars. Claim Now
Canada: Get up to $500 in free bets at Sports Interaction. Claim Now
Temple vs Cincinnati game info
• Location: Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
• Date: Friday, October 8, 2021
• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
Temple vs Cincinnati betting preview
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key injuries
Temple: Jadan Blue WR (Questionable), Randle Jones WR (Questionable).
Cincinnati: No key injuries to report.
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Temple is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games overall dating back to last season. Find more NCAA betting trends for Temple vs. Cincinnati.
Temple vs Cincinnati predictions
Cincinnati -29 (-110)
Yes, Cincinnati enters this game in an obvious letdown spot. The Bearcats are coming off the emotional high of beating Notre Dame in South Bend and set to face a Temple team that is predicted to finish near the bottom of the AAC this season.
So, there's no way Cincy covers the 29 points of chalk. Is there?
Well, there's a reason the Bearcats are getting serious College Football Playoff consideration this season. They are an experienced and talented team from top to bottom, starting with quarterback Desmond Ridder.
Ridder has the best passer rating of his career and is completing 63.5 percent of his throws for 1,045 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions while adding another three scores on the ground. Meanwhile, Cincinnati's defense ranks 16th in the nation.
Temple comes into this game at 3-1 (2-2 ATS) but those wins came against Akron, FCS Wagner, and Memphis. And in that game against the Tigers, the Owls were down 17-0 before Memphis choked away the game.
Even with those results, the Owls rank 93rd in total offense and 80th in scoring, and in the one game where they faced a team with a competent defense (Boston College), they managed just three points. On defense, the Owls are getting gashed on the ground and they’ll have their hands full with Cincy lead back Jerome Ford, who is rushing for 5.5 yards per carry.
While Cincy is set up for a letdown, I don’t buy it. This is a well-coached team with Luke Fickell at the helm and, even though this isn’t expected to be a close game, the Bearcats will want to prove this talk around them surrounding the CFP is legit and won’t want to disappoint in a nationally televised game.
The Bearcats have an average margin of victory of 35 points in their first two home contests this season, with an average line of -29.5 — so this number isn’t as scary as it looks.
Cincinnati Over 23.5 first-half team total (-120)
The Bearcats have been getting off to good starts this season. Cincinnati ranks 15th in the country in first-half scoring, averaging 20.7 per game, which includes two tough road contests at Indiana and Notre Dame. At home, that number jumps all the way up to 35 points per game.
The Owls, meanwhile, have been giving up more first-half points than most this season. Temple ranks 110th in opponent first-half scoring, surrendering 20.2 points per contest.
Expect Cincinnati to come out firing in this one and eclipse their first-half team total in the process.
Did you know that if you parlayed our Temple vs. Cincinnati picks, you could win $25.00 on a $10 bet?
Use our college football parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on college football odds?
You can bet on college football odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including NCAA moneylines, spreads, Over/Under totals, and a ton of college football prop odds. Head over to our best football betting sites for the top spots to bet on college football odds in your area.
