Tulane vs Cincinnati Prediction, Odds and Picks

• Cincinnati and Tulane meet on Friday, November 25, for the right to host the AAC title game
• No. 21 Cincinnati is a 2.5-point home favorite against the No. 19 Green Wave
• Read below for Tulane vs Cincinnati odds, analysis and prediction

No. 21 Cincinnati (9-2, 6-1 American) is a 2.5-point home favorite against Tulane (9-2, 6-1) in the regular-season finale for both at noon ET Friday on ABC. The winner will win the regular-season title and host the AAC championship game on December 3. Cincinnati is the two-time defending league champion.

No. 19 Tulane (9-2, 6-1) recovered from a 38-31 loss to UCF two weeks ago with a 59-24 thrashing of SMU. The winner remains alive for a New Year’s Six bowl bid as the highest-ranking non-Power 5 team. Both teams have lost to UCF, which could make the title game if it wins Saturday and is ranked higher than the Cincinnati-Tulane loser in the final CFP rankings.

Let’s dive into the Tulane vs Cincinnati odds and offer our prediction for Friday’s matchup.

Tulane vs Cincinnati Odds

Odds from FanDuel on Nov. 22. Claim the FanDuel Sportsbook promo code for Black Friday college football.

Cincinnati is a 2.5-point favorite over Tulane in a game that will determine the AAC regular-season champion and the host for the AAC title game on Dec. 3. The Bearcats are 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in the four meetings between the two since the Green Wave joined the AAC in 2014. Tulane lost 31-10 at home last season but covered as a 28-point underdog.

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Cincinnati is 5-1 SU but 1-5 ATS in its last six and Tulane is 6-1 SU and ATS in its last seven. Cincinnati is 5-0 SU and 2-3 ATS at home and has failed to cover its last three. Tulane is 4-0 SU and ATS on the road, and put itself in this position with a 27-24 overtime victory at contender Houston on Sept. 30.

Cincinnati Eyes a Repeat

Cincinnati has won the last two AAC championships and is looking for its fourth straight appearance in the league title game in its last season before joining the Big 12. The Bearcats have done it behind a defense that ranks in the top 25 in NCAA Division I in scoring defense and total defense, They had four takeaways in a 23-3 victory over Temple the last time out and have a plus-five turnover margin this season.

Highlights from tonight’s 23 to 3 victory over Temple.#Bearcats pic.twitter.com/ZmSaQ6BDjW

— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) November 20, 2022

Cincinnati may be without starting quarterback senior Ben Bryant, who suffered a foot injury in the first half of the Temple game and was replaced by sophomore Evan Prater after going 9 of 18 from 130 yards and a touchdown. Prater completed 12 of 17 passes for 127 yards and rushed for another 24 yards. Bryant’s status was unknown. If he is unable to go, Prater would make his first career start. Neither has shown to be Desmond Ridder to date.

Running back Charles McClelland has 777 yards rushing and nine touchdowns, and wide receivers Tyler Scott and Tre Tucker have combined for 105 catches for 1,560 yards, Scott is tied for 11th in Division I with nine touchdown catches.

Tulane Breaks Through

The Green Wave has not won a conference championship since 1998, when it went 12-0 and won the Conference USA title under Tommy Bowden. Tulane has returned to relevance this season by relying on the efficiency of quarterback Tyler Pratt, a rushing attack led by halfback Tyjae Spears and a defense that mirrors Cincinnati’s. The Green Wave give up three fewer points and are giving up 13 more yards per game than the Bearcats.

Tyjae Spears (@tyjae22) last 5 games:

– 684 rushing yards (136.8 per game)
– 8.8 yards/carry
– 7 total TDs
– 8 rushes of 20+ yards

What will he do next week versus Cincy? pic.twitter.com/lHr6gYpmBx

— Fifth Quarter Tulane: NOLA’s team (@FQTulane) November 18, 2022

The Green Wave bounced back from a 38-31 loss to UCF by overpowering SMU 59-24. Pratt threw three touchdown passes, Spears had 121 of the team’s 310 yards rushing and they had five takeaways.

Tulane vs Cincinnati Prediction

Cincinnati has won 10 straight November games dating to the 2019 season, and that means something. Cincinnati is used to this spot, but it has had a relatively easier road this year since it did not play Houston in the unbalanced American.

Current form signals that the Green Wave is ready for the challenge. Tulane is 9-2 ATS, tied with Oregon State for the best record in Division I, and it has the best win of either team, taking care of Kansas State in Week 3. The Green Wave is the play.

Pick: Tulane +2.5 (112)