Though both the Cincinnati Bearcats and Purdue Boilermakers secured victories in their season debuts, neither was one each would confidently thump their chests about. Both offenses scuffled when you really dig into the numbers, and while a win is still a win, there’s still much work to be done for both clubs if in fact each is to record their second win of the season and take a step closer towards becoming bowl eligible.
Watch this regular season Week 2 matchup live on Saturday, September 10, 2016, at 12 p.m. ET at Rose-Ade Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Cincinnati -6.5
Purdue +6.5
Odds Analysis
The Bearcats opened up as 7 point road favorites for this Week 2 tilt. That number was immediately bet down to -6 and then back to -6.5 with the betting public not impressed with last week’s performance and having doubts that another effort like that would earn them a cover in their first road trip of the season.
With it taking Cincinnati better than a half of football to take its first lead over the Skyhawks – a team the Bearcats were favored to beat by 37.5 points – last week, it’s possible more Purdue money comes in to lower this betting line even more.
Look-Ahead Situation
While there really isn’t a reason the Bearcats should be looking ahead to anyone right now considering how badly they performed in their season opener, the AP Poll’s No. 15 ranked Houston Cougars will be paying Nippert Stadium a visit next Thursday night.
It will also be the team’s first nationally televised game of the season, so there’s no doubt Cincinnati will have this match-up in the back of their heads as they prepare for a Purdue team that managed just two wins last season. The fact that they almost pulled off an incredible comeback win at Houston last season after falling behind 30-14 will likely have them clamoring for the rematch even more.
Player to Watch
Cincinnati gave up a hefty 177 net rushing yards to the powerhouse ground attack of Tennessee Martin last week. Though they gave up just 3.6 yards per carry, the improvement from the near 192 yards per game allowed last season was minimal – and it came against an FCS opponent.
That will no doubt have Purdue dynamic running back Markell Jones licking his chops after he led the Boilermakers on the ground last week with 145 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. He averaged better than 6.0 yards per carry and also added four receptions for another 24 yards. Should Brown be able to pick right back up where he left off, it will hopefully allow quarterback David Blough to get out to a quicker start and improve upon his 58.1 completion percentage tallied against the Colonels.
Free ATS Pick
Tommy Tuberville has amassed a 26-14 SU record as head coach of the Bearcats, but the team only won seven games a year ago and was blasted in their bowl game. Last week’s ugly 28-7 win over Tennessee-Martin hardly changed the fan base’s perception of the program as one that’s slipping.
Purdue has done absolutely nothing under the Darrell Hazell regime. In fact, most diehard Boiler fans would tell you they want him out as head coach. That said, this is a winnable game for the home team who, if they win this game, has an excellent shot at opening up the season 3-0 before opening up B1G play at Maryland.
I like the way this game sets up for the home team. Cincinnati is a program in transition as Tuberville breaks in coordinators on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. It’s going to take time before both units settle in, and it showed last week with sloppy overall play. PU returns 16 starters from last year’s team with veterans and experience returning at most key spots. I agree with the betting public’s initial move on this game and forecast the Boilers as being live for this matchup.
College Football Odds: Purdue 27, Cincinnati 24
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