NCAA odds on Cincinnati took a step upwards in 2007 as the Bearcats finished 10-3 straight up and 8-3-1 against the NCAA football odds.
Cincinnati was 5-6 in terms of over/unders versus NCAA odds in 2007. NCAA odds should continue to have the Bearcats an attractive team. Brian Kelly did a very nice job in his first year as head coach at Cincinnati. He led the Bearcats to a bowl victory and his offense was exciting. The Bearcats averaged 36 points and 434 yards per game according to NCAA football odds stats. They have to hope that Ben Mauk is granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA.
The loss that Cincinnati would like to have back last season versus NCAA college football odds is the loss in October to Louisville when they committed had turnovers and virtually gave the game away. Let’s look at more NCAA odds numbers from the 2007 Cincinnati Bearcats.
Cincinnati did almost everything else right in 2007 versus the NCAA odds. They offense was excellent and the defense was very solid. The team gets top cornerback Mike Mickens back according to NCAA odds stats. The offensive line does lose three starters according to NCAA odds stats. The defense also loses five starters so they probably won’t match last year’s production according to NCAA football odds stats.
Cincinnati was ranked 30th overall in the country in total yards according to NCAA odds stats. They were a superb 16th in points scored according to NCAA odds numbers. The defense was also respectable as they were 51st in total yards allowed according to NCAA odds stats and a very nice 13th in the country in points allowed according to NCAA football odds stats.
The football team actually earned the honor of Cincinnati Sports Story of the Year. The Bearcats finished #17 in the Associated Press Poll. The Bearcats led the country with 26 interceptions and shared the national lead with 42 takeaways. They return 16 starters in 2008, including all-Americans Kevin Huber, Mike Mickens, and Terrill Byrd. Huber led all divisions of college football with his 46.9 yards per punt average.