Cincinnati (3-1, 1-0) vs. Texas Tech (3-1, 1-0)
When: Saturday, September 28th @ 7:00 pm
Where: Jones AT&T Stadium | Lubbock, TX
TV & Streaming: ESPN2
Radio: TuneIn Radio
The Line: Texas Tech -3.5
Weather: Sunny, 90-57
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams: No, the Matthew Sluka saga is not the downfall of college sports | Don Williams
What happened Wednesday, though, was the story of the day in college football. The anti-NIL crowd clucks. Their cries went up again: College sports are ruined. Loyalty is gone. Players should be content with a scholarship. All that blather, from the same folks who told us the IRS is going to have a field day with athletes who can’t figure out how to file taxes on their NIL earnings. (It’s been three years, and we’re still waiting for a case.)
There’s little evidence to support the arguments. If college sports are ruined, why are millions still watching games every week, at stadiums and on TV? Why do so many fill their Saturdays, from shortly after sunrise to long after bedtime, with one college football offering after another?
The game’s not suffering, nor its future. It just recycles plots.
Midland Reporter Telegram’s Oscar LeRoy: LEROY: No rest for Texas Tech defense with Cincinnati up next
Action Network’s Brad Cunningham: Cincinnati vs Texas Tech Prediction, Pick, Odds for Saturday, September 28
This is a good spot to fade Texas Tech. Its defense has been terrible overall this season, and it all started in the first game when they gave up 51 points to Abilene Christian. There are real concerns about how the Raiders will stop Cincinnati’s offense. This is the best rushing attack they have faced this season, and if they can’t stop Kiner, that will open up the passing game for Sorsby.
The other problem with Texas Tech is its ability to stop teams once they cross the 40-yard line. It ranks 82nd in Finishing Drives allowed, with its opponents averaging close to four points per scoring opportunity. On the flip side, Cincinnati’s defense has been really good at limiting its opponent’s scoring opportunities, so that could be the difference in the game.
This line should be closer to a pick- ’em — I only have Texas Tech projected as a -1.1 favorite.
Inside the Red Raiders’ Jarrett Johnson: Quick scouting report on Cincinnati
The Bearcats offense is really led by its experienced offensive line. Four of the five starters returned from a season ago anchored by three-year starter Gavin Gerhardt (6-4, 300, Sr.) and one of the top guards in the nation in Luke Kandra (6-4, 323, Sr.), who was a first-team All Big 12 and second-team All-America performer in 2023.
Cincinnati’s defense allows 389 yards in total offense per game which ranks 90th nationally and 13th in the Big 12. However, the Bearcats are only giving up 16 points a game, which ranks 33rd in the country and fourth in the conference.
24/7 Sports’ Cody Nagel: Big 12 quarterback rankings: Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders remains No. 1, Brendan Sorsby rises in Week 5
3. Behren Morton, Texas Tech
When playing at home in Lubbock this season, Behren Morton has been on fire, throwing 11 touchdowns without a single interception. Although the Texas Tech quarterback had a rough outing on the road against Washington State in Week 2, he rebounded to get the Red Raiders back on track. Morton ranks fourth among eligible Big 12 quarterbacks in lowest turnover worthy play rate (1.1%). Outside of those two interceptions, Morton has been a reliable playmaker for Texas Tech, which has one of the top scoring offenses in the new-look conference.
2. Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati
Cincinnati looked somewhat lost offensively last season without a strong option at quarterback. Now, the Bearcats appear revitalized after hitting a splash in the transfer portal with former Indiana quarterback Brendan Sorsby. He has yet to throw an interception in 118 pass attempts and has only one turnover worthy play on the season. Sorsby has shown a strong arm with accuracy and anticipation to quickly move up the national quarterback rankings. He has also added three rushing touchdowns to his eight passing touchdowns.