Staff Predictions: Backed into a Corner, Baylor Looks to Respond against No. 21 Cincy
The SicEm365 Staff gives their predictions for Baylor’s (4-3, 2-2) road matchup against No. 21 Cincinnati (6-1, 4-0). Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The game will be televised on ESPN2.
- Spread: Cincinnati (-3.5)
- O/U: 66.5
- Moneyline: Cincinnati (-175), Baylor (+145)
Colt Barber (4-3) — Cincinnati 42, Baylor 38
Outside of Oklahoma State, this is the worst defensive unit Baylor will face this year, according to F+. Baylor has yet to put together a full offensive performance, and it’s going to take everything the offense can get to go and win this one. Unfortunately, I’m more concerned about those 10 turnovers by the offense in four league games not getting fixed than anything the defense is (or isn’t) doing at this stage of the season. Baylor drops a shootout.
Ashley Hodge (3-4) — Cincinnati 38, Baylor 27
The line kind of shocks me at only -3.5 for Cincy. Nothing I saw at TCU gives me confidence that Baylor is going to pull this out. My record after this prediction will be the same as Baylor’s.
Grayson Grundhoefer (4-3) — Baylor 41, Cincinnati 38
There is a reason the line is only -3.5 for Cincy this week. The Bearcats have struggled in the secondary against every good quarterback they have faced this season. Baylor will score points here, and of course, Cincy is going to score a ton as well. Last week, I discounted TCU getting embarrassed by Kansas State heading into the Baylor game. They were the hungrier team, and I think Baylor will be that team this week in a thriller.
Jack Mackenzie (5-2) — Cincinnati 38, Baylor 28
The Bears' defense doesn’t execute at a high enough level, and the offense has another early turnover that derails their game. A late TD makes the scoreline prettier than the game actually is, and Baylor returns to Waco 4-4.
Levi Caraway (5-2) — Cincinnati 42, Baylor 31
While I think this team is capable of beating Cincinnati, it’s hard to expect everything to come together in Week 8. If the Bears weren’t able to do it against the middling Horned Frogs, I’m not sure they ever will. At the same time, this team is at its best when backed into a corner; I just wish they wouldn’t repeatedly back themselves into said corner.
Sam Bradshaw (6-1) — Cincinnati 35, Baylor 27
Neither team is playing well defensively, but one is significantly better than the other. Baylor can win this, but it’s getting hard to pick them when they find new ways to lose games. Cincinnati isn’t good defensively, but much like TCU, they can at least dial up some disruption that can help them extend a lead. Baylor lets another winnable game go.
