Cincinnati Football: Week 1 preview, odds, predictions at Arkansas

Cincinnati Bearcats at Arkansas Razorbacks

• Date: Saturday, September 3 at 3:30 PM
• Location: Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville
• Pregame Spread: Arkansas (-6.5)
• TV Broadcast: ESPN and fuboTV

The Bearcats are hoping to start the season with an upset over the Razorbacks on Saturday afternoon but it’s definitely going to be difficult to come away unscathed. Check out our latest preview, odds and predictions for the must-see Week 1 matchup.

Cincinnati at Arkansas: Week 1 preview

After struggling for a few years, the Razorbacks get back to legitimate contention last season. The team was ranked 8th in the AP Poll during the regular season and finished with a 9-4 record including a 24-10 win over Penn State in the Outback Bowl.

Similarly to Luke Fickell bringing the Bearcats back from a down swing, Sam Pittman has helped the Razorbacks return to national relevance in just two years. Both programs focus on being physical and tough so it should be an entertaining contest.

Cincinnati competed with Alabama and Georgia in recent years but came up short in the end. In order to escape with a win this weekend, the Bearcats must contain quarterback KJ Jefferson and limit the Razorbacks’ impressive rushing attack.

Cincinnati at Arkansas: Week 1 odds

According to multiple sports books, Arkansas is favored by 6.5 points with the over/under at 53.5 total points. It’s reasonable to believe the Bearcats have a legitimate chance because the Razorbacks were just 3-3 as favorites at home last year.

Arkansas should be able to dominate on the ground again with Jefferson and Raheim Sanders but Cincinnati has elite players on all three levels of the defense like Jowon Briggs, Deshawn Pace and Jaquan Sheppard that should be able to offset it.

Cincinnati at Arkansas: Week 1 predictions

I’m expecting Pace to have a significant impact on the outcome because of his unique blend of power, skill and speed. The junior linebacker racked up 79 tackles and four interceptions last year and should be able to improve on both fronts in 2022.

Fickell will have the defense prepared to play in a difficult environment but the key will be limiting big plays and keeping Jefferson under control since the Razorbacks went 7-3 when recording more than 317 yards and scoring 17+ points last season.

Full coverage for Week 1 matchup

• Analyzing the Arkansas Razorbacks
• Five players to watch in season opener
• Five predictions for road trip to Arkansas
• Keys to victory for Bearcats and Razorbacks
• KJ Jefferson can create problems for Bearcats
• Injury report as season opener approaches
• Quotes to keep in mind for matchup
• Series history versus current SEC opponents
• TV Coverage, commentators, where to watch
• Weather as Bearcats travel to Fayetteville