Free Pick: Cincinnati at Indiana *Papa Dudes Lock of the Week* 9/18/21

This is the first of two big tests for the Bearcats in the next two weeks and if they can get this one and beat Notre Dame on the 25th, they will be in consideration for playoff talk. Indiana was ranked in the preseason and then laid an egg in the opener at Iowa and dropped out of sight. If they were good enough to be ranked, then they are a threat to knock off Cincinnati especially in Bloomington. This shapes up as a very interesting game.

Scouting Indiana: On the surface and in the stats the Hoosiers are struggling on offense. They only scored 6 points against Iowa and ended up with a poor 338 total yards against a bad Idaho team. I’m willing to give them a pass in that game because they probably played a lot of guys. But, quarterback, Michael Penix Jr has not been the same player as he was a year ago. He has only completed 53% of his passes and has 3 interceptions and only 2 touchdowns. He clearly has to be better. Stephen Carr has been a force at running back with 175 yards on 41 carries. Ty Fryfogle has been the leading receiver with 10 catches for 113 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, they are led by Tiawan Mullen and Ryder Anderson have been standouts and their linebackers have been solid. They have played pretty well on this side of the ball, but they have played Iowa who is offensively challenged and Idaho which doesn’t count. This week will be the best offense they have seen.

Scouting Cincinnati: The Bearcats are led by senior quarterback Desmond Ritter (34-47 for 538 yards and 6 touchdowns) and he has played well in the first two games against mediocre competition. Running back, Jerome Ford leads the ground game with 234 yards and 4 touchdowns. Tyler Scott and Jadon Thompson have big-play capabilities along with Michael Young and this group is a threat. On paper, the Cincinnati offense is much more dynamic than Indiana. On defense, the Bearcats are led by the linebacking trio of Darrian Beavers, DeShawn Pace, and Joel Dublanko. They are deep and experienced upfront with Malik Vann, Myjai Sanders, and Jowon Briggs among others creating havoc. The secondary is led by Coby Bryant and Arquon Bush

This game was a lot sexier in the preseason before Indiana looked so bad in the opener at Iowa. However, the Hoosiers have a chance at redemption and they will be ready for this one. Meanwhile, expectations are as high as they have ever been in Cincinnati, and after two easy games I have a feeling the Bearcats are ready to show the nation how good they are. The line is Cincinnati -4.

DUDES WHO BET SPORTS PICK: Cincinnati -4 This is a green flag all day long.