See Ball Get Ball host David Pollack is rolling with the Cincinnati Bearcats in a high-stakes Big 12 matchup with undefeated No. 6 Utah on Saturday in Ohio.
Pollack, joined by college football data analyst Brent Rollins, likes Cincinnati, currently a 7-point underdog, to snap the Big 12 frontrunner’s perfect record this weekend as the battle for the conference feeds into Week 9. Utah (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) is separated from No. 8 BYU, No. 13 Texas Tech, No. 22 Arizona and No. 24 Oklahoma State by exactly one win in the league race.
WATCH: This is the Utah Video That Set Off Pat McAfee
Cincinnati (5-2, 2-2 Big 12) is coming off arguably its biggest win of the season against Texas Tech. Utah, meanwhile, is off to a 7-0 start for the first time since 2010.
Pollack likes Cincinnati for a 27-24 win on Saturday at Nippert Stadium, the backdrop for now consecutive top-25 matchups that could very easily move Scott Satterfield’s program back into the Big 12 conversations, should they pull off the win.
Cincinnati, fueled by a big second quarter scoring 21 points, outgained Texas Tech on the ground 255-173, with running back Cole Tabb and quarterback JC French IV combining for 345 yards against the Red Raider front. Will Hammond had a decent day, going 24-of-37 for 227 yards, but an interception before halftime resulted in a 24-6 Bearcat lead entering the second half.
Devon Dampier took a slight step back last week, throwing two interceptions against Houston, but the Utes stepped up defensively in another late-night affair in Salt Lake City for a gritty 21-13 win. Dampier scored two touchdowns with his legs and gained 150 yards on the ground in the win; He’ll remain a liability for Cincinnati’s defense, which allows 429 total yards per game.
For Cincinnati, this matchup is about keeping Utah off-balance and freeing French up to move the sticks; The Georgia Southern transfer has been sacked eight times over the last three weeks, including three times last week against Texas Tech. Both French and Tabb logged double-digit carries in last week’s win, and you’ve gotta expect a big game from Tabb (9.6 yards per carry) this week if the Bearcats are going to push the pace with an explosive Utes offense.
Utah’s defense dominated Brendan Sorsby and Cincinnati last year in a 45-14 home win, which featured two Dampier touchdown passes and 213 total yards through the air. The Bearcats historically struggle against the dual-threat makeup of a guy like Dampier, but they’ll get another shot at the Utes this time in front of a home crowd.
Kickoff is slated for 2:45 p.m. CT on ESPN.
