: SMU (8-2, 4-2 AAC) at No. 3 Cincinnati (10-0, 6-0, No. 5 CFP), Saturday at 3:30 EST (ESPN).
Line: Cincinnati by 11 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Cincinnati leads 4-1.
WHATS AT STAKE?
No. 3 Cincinnatis game against SMU might have lost some of its luster when the Mustangs dropped out of the AP Top 25, but theres still a lot at stake for the Bearcats. They can clinch a berth in the American Athletic Conference championship game and further their College Football Playoff hopes with a win. The Mustangs have lost two of the last three.
KEY MATCHUP
Although SMU has the AACs top-ranked passing offense, they might not want to get into a shootout with Cincinnati, and instead rely more on Ulysses Bentley IV and Tre Siggers to control the clock and maintain possession. That strategy has worked well for a few of the Bearcats opponents. The Bearcats defense wants to keep SMU in long-yardage passing situations where it can disrupt the quarterback and force mistakes.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
SMU: QB Tanner Mordecai was named AAC offensive player of the week for the fourth time this season. The Oklahoma transfer has at least four touchdown passes in five of 10 games while passing for 300 or more yards eight times.
Cincinnati: CB Ahmad Sauce Gardner hasnt had much to do in recent weeks as opponents have steered clear of the NFL prospect. According to Pro Football Focus, he has allowed only 12 receptions on 25 targets this season. His 17.0 opponent passer rating is the second-lowest in the country. He has never allowed a touchdown pass.
FACTS & FIGURES
Cincinnati has won 25-straight at Nippert Stadium, which is the second-longest home winning streak in the country behind Clemson (33). SMU has won at least eight games in two of the past three seasons. The 5-0 starts the past three seasons were the first for the Mustangs since 1981-83. The Mustangs lead the AAC in total offense (498.7), scoring offense (41.6), and passing offense (329.0). The Bearcats No. 3 ranking is their highest since they were No. 4 in 2009. They have been ranked in the Top 10 for more than 13 months consecutively. Cincinnati won the last meeting 42-13 in 2020. SMUs last win in the series was a 31-28 overtime victory in 2017 at Cincinnati.
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