The Birmingham Bowl has seen all of its last three iterations decided very late in the game, so it’s understandable if people are expecting the same thrilling ride in the 2020 edition of the event. Will the Golden Eagles take home the win? Or will the Bearcats get one more win to add to their 2019-20 campaign?
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Betting Preview for the Boston College Eagles vs Cincinnati Bearcats Ticketmaster Birmingham Bowl Game on January 2 2020
Where: Legion Field, Birmingham
When: Thursday, January 2, 2020, 3:00 PM ET
Line: Boston College Eagles (+7) vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (-7) – view all 2019 NCAAF lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Boston College Eagles (6-6 Overall / 4-4 Conference)
After getting walloped by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a 40-7 road loss on Nov. 23, the Eagles licked their wounds and got some measure of respect back for themselves by beating the Pittsburgh Panthers on the road on Nov. 30, 26-19. It’s no secret that the Eagles have leaned heavily on their rushing attack this season. The Eagles will let their opponents about that early and for an entire game most of the time. Boston College is fourth in the nation with 52.8 rushes per game and fifth with 260.3 rushing yards per contest. The need for the ground attack to step up for Boston College was highlighted right after quarterback Anthony Brown went down with a season-ending injury in October. Dennis Grosel has taken over the gig under center for the Eagles, who are averaging 29.6 points per game. Running back AJ Dillon leads the team with 1,685 rushing yards with 14 touchdowns this season.
Boston College is 6-4 against the spread (ATS) in its last 10 games overall.
Betting on the Cincinnati Bearcats (10-3 Overall / 7-1 Conference)
The Bears’ year ended in a double-thud. After zooming to a 10-1 straight-up (SU) start to the season, the Bearcats lost two games in a row against the same opponent, the Memphis Tigers. Cincinnati got folded by the Tigers in a 34-24 season-finale loss before losing to them again in the ACC Championship Game, 29-24. The Bearcats will continue to parade quarterback Desmond Ridder despite not being up to par of late. Ridder injured his shoulder in a win over the South Florida Bulls on Nov. 16 and hasn’t played to his old standard since. On the season, Ridder has 2,069 passing yards and 17 touchdowns against nine interceptions. Like the Eagles, Cincinnati features plenty of running. The Bearcats are 32nd in the nation with 197.6 rushing yards per contest. Running back Michael warren has 1,160 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, while Ridder has 545 rushing yards and a pair of rushing scores.
The Bearcats are 2-0 ATS in their last two games.
Writer’s Prediction
Cincinnati wins, 30-23.
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