Free College Football Picks Today: Cincinnati Bearcats vs South Florida Bulls 10/8/22

The University of South Florida Bulls (1-4, 0-1 AAC), one of the American Athletic Conference’s most potent rushing offenses, travel to take on the No. 24 University of Cincinnati Bearcats (4-1, 1-0 AAC), one of the conference’s weakest ground defenses, at Nippert Stadium on Saturday. The Bearcats are 27.5-point favorites, and the total is 59.5. South Florida is coming off a tough 48-28 loss to East Carolina at FAU Stadium last Saturday, their third straight defeat. Gerry Bohanon was 18 of 28 for 253 yards and three touchdowns. Brian Battie ran 15 times for 96 yards. Jimmy Horn Jr. caught eight passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Cincinnati won for the fourth straight game last Saturday, beating Tulsa 31-21 at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Ben Bryant threw for 166 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Corey Kiner carried 12 times for 106 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Scott also scored once. He had three receptions for 77 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Bearcats won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 45-28 victory in November, their fourth straight win against South Florida. Desmond Ridder threw two touchdowns for Cincinnati, as Ryan Montgomery added two TDs. Jaren Mangham had two touchdowns for South Florida.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Bulls are averaging 24.4 points per game for the season, 101st in FBS, and they are facing a Bearcats defense that has surrendered 20.6 PPG (34th). Meanwhile, Cincinnati has scored 40.2 points a game this season, 18th in the nation, and South Florida is allowing 38.0 PPG (122nd).The Bulls rank as one of the country’s worst teams in passing yards per game (174.0, 113th), while they are 53rd in rushing yards (172.4). The Bearcats are 36th in passing yards allowed per game (195.8) and 29th against the run (107.4).Cincinnati is 23rd in the country in passing yards per game (295.8) and 82nd in rushing (143.6). South Florida’s defense has been beatable on both fronts, as the Bulls are 113th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (269.4) and 126th against the run (218.4).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through five games, Gerry Bohanon has thrown for three touchdowns (6 INT) and 164.4 yards per game to lead South Florida in passing. In two away games this season, he has zero TDs (4 INT) and an average of 89.0 yards passing. Brian Battie leads the team in rushing with an average of 78.2 yards a game over five games. He has three touchdowns on the ground. Xavier Weaver is the Bulls’ leading receiver with 76.8 yards a game. Ben Bryant has 13 passing touchdowns (4 INT) with 276.6 yards per game through five games to lead Cincinnati. In two home games this season, he has thrown for seven TDs (1 INT) and an average of 277.5 yards. Charles McClelland has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 64.6 yards a game through five games. He has three touchdowns. Tyler Scott has been a workhorse in the Bearcats’ passing game. He has six touchdowns and a 100.0 yard per game average through five appearances.