The Bearcats did a 180 degree turn around from 2017 to 2018. Cincy went 4-8 in 2017. The Bearcats were 3-6 (1-4) after 9 games in 2017 as opposed to 8-1 (4-1) in 2018. The Bearcats only 2018 loss was at Temple 24-17 in OT. Cincy should have won that game but they let it get away late in the 4th to force OT, which Temple took advantage of for the W.
Both USF and Cincy have played 9 games. The only 2 common teams that both have faced are UCONN and Tulane. USF barely beat UCONN in the Ray Jay 38-30 while Cincy beat the Huskies 49-7 at UCONN. USF was humiliated by Tulane in the Ray Jay 41-26 while the Bearcats won a home game at Nippert vs the Green Wave 37-21. This doesn’t bode particularly well for the Bulls chances at Nippert on Saturday night.
As far as stats go, both teams are relatively decent offensively. USF has 42 ypg more than Cincy at 492 ypg Total offense. USF out passes Cincy 273 ypg to 214 ypg. Cincy out rushes USF by 18 ypg, with USF rushing for 218 ypg to the Bearcats 236 ypg. Cincy outscores USF by a little 35 ppg for Cincy and 33.3 ypc for USF.
The big difference between the 2 teams is defense. Cincy ranks 5th nationally in total defense giving up only 276.1 ypg to the Bulls 442.1 ypg for a 103 ranking in total defense. The Bearcats defense ranks 6th nationally vs the score only giving up 14 ppg. USF ranks 91st nationally vs the score giving up 30.9 ppg.
Cincy has a better red zone defense ranking 28th vs the score 17/22, while giving up only 4 rushing TDs, 8 passing TDs and 5 FGs. USF ranks 83rd in red zone defense vs the score 28/32 while giving up 16 rushing TDs, 5 passing TDs and 7 FGs. It should be noted that Cincy allowed teams 10 less trips to the red zone than USF over the first 9 games. This is an indicator that the Bearcats play more solid defense between the 20s than the Bulls do. Cincy ranks 3rd nationally on allowing both 3rd down (.265%) and 4th down (.222%) conversions. USF ranks 65th in allowing 3rd down conversions at (.389%) and 109th in 4th down conversions at (.689%). Cincy is strong against the run only giving up 105.2 ypg , ranking them 15th nationally. While USF ranks 123rd nationally at giving up 248.6 rushing ypg. To put it bluntly, teams are running the ball down the Bulls throats. All the defensive stats are highly in favor of the Bearcats. Part of the reason for the difference is player experience and the other part is coaching.
USF has beaten the Bearcats for 4 years in a row. The Bearcats want this game really bad. Luke Fickell has infused new life into Cincy. They are very physical and large to go with it. Add in the home field advantage and the Bearcats look to be in the catbird seat vs the Bulls in 2018.
I think the only chance the Bulls have is to play hard nosed, smash mouth football, because that is exactly what Cincy will be doing. Which brings us to another key point, both teams are terrible at committing penalties. Cincy ranks 108th nationally having been penalized 71 times for 680 yds. Not to be outdone, USF ranks 120th nationally in penalties having been penalized 76 times for 700 yds.
Both USF and Cincy have played 9 games. The only 2 common teams that both have faced are UCONN and Tulane. USF barely beat UCONN in the Ray Jay 38-30 while Cincy beat the Huskies 49-7 at UCONN. USF was humiliated by Tulane in the Ray Jay 41-26 while the Bearcats won a home game at Nippert vs the Green Wave 37-21. This doesn’t bode particularly well for the Bulls chances at Nippert on Saturday night.
As far as stats go, both teams are relatively decent offensively. USF has 42 ypg more than Cincy at 492 ypg Total offense. USF out passes Cincy 273 ypg to 214 ypg. Cincy out rushes USF by 18 ypg, with USF rushing for 218 ypg to the Bearcats 236 ypg. Cincy outscores USF by a little 35 ppg for Cincy and 33.3 ypc for USF.
The big difference between the 2 teams is defense. Cincy ranks 5th nationally in total defense giving up only 276.1 ypg to the Bulls 442.1 ypg for a 103 ranking in total defense. The Bearcats defense ranks 6th nationally vs the score only giving up 14 ppg. USF ranks 91st nationally vs the score giving up 30.9 ppg.
Cincy has a better red zone defense ranking 28th vs the score 17/22, while giving up only 4 rushing TDs, 8 passing TDs and 5 FGs. USF ranks 83rd in red zone defense vs the score 28/32 while giving up 16 rushing TDs, 5 passing TDs and 7 FGs. It should be noted that Cincy allowed teams 10 less trips to the red zone than USF over the first 9 games. This is an indicator that the Bearcats play more solid defense between the 20s than the Bulls do. Cincy ranks 3rd nationally on allowing both 3rd down (.265%) and 4th down (.222%) conversions. USF ranks 65th in allowing 3rd down conversions at (.389%) and 109th in 4th down conversions at (.689%). Cincy is strong against the run only giving up 105.2 ypg , ranking them 15th nationally. While USF ranks 123rd nationally at giving up 248.6 rushing ypg. To put it bluntly, teams are running the ball down the Bulls throats. All the defensive stats are highly in favor of the Bearcats. Part of the reason for the difference is player experience and the other part is coaching.
USF has beaten the Bearcats for 4 years in a row. The Bearcats want this game really bad. Luke Fickell has infused new life into Cincy. They are very physical and large to go with it. Add in the home field advantage and the Bearcats look to be in the catbird seat vs the Bulls in 2018.
I think the only chance the Bulls have is to play hard nosed, smash mouth football, because that is exactly what Cincy will be doing. Which brings us to another key point, both teams are terrible at committing penalties. Cincy ranks 108th nationally having been penalized 71 times for 680 yds. Not to be outdone, USF ranks 120th nationally in penalties having been penalized 76 times for 700 yds.
