The Bearcats are just a few days away from facing the Louisville Cardinals in the Fenway Bowl on Saturday in Boston. Get ready for the matchup with our bowl preview including odds and predictions!
In addition to the Keg of Nails rivalry taking place for the first time in a decade, the Fenway Bowl has even more intrigue because head coach Scott Satterfield recently left Louisville for Cincinnati.
Both teams are in flux with interim coaching staffs, multiple opt-outs and several transfers in the portal but a win in the bowl game would create plenty of momentum heading into a new era next season.
Despite finishing the season with a worse record, the Cardinals are currently 1-point favorites over the Bearcats with the over/under projected at 41.5 total points according to WynnBET.
Cincinnati Football: Fenway Bowl preview, odds, predictions against Louisville
- Date: Saturday, December 17 at 11:00 AM
- Location: Fenway Park in Boston
- TV Broadcast: ESPN and fuboTV
- Series History: Bearcats lead 30-22-1
Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham declared for the draft and won’t play in the game so back up Brock Domann is expected to start under center for the third time this season.
The Cardinals will also be without cornerback Kei’Trel Clark and running back Tiyon Evans, plus a handful of transfers including Bearcats offensive guard commit Luke Kandra and defensive back Rance Conner.
Cincinnati won’t have several starters available so it will be a good opportunity for the underclassmen to take on a talented opponent as the storied rivalry returns at Fenway Park.
Interim coach Kerry Coombs will lean on sophomore quarterback Evan Prater, senior running back duo Charles McClelland and Ryan Montgomery, plus a defense led by Jowon Briggs and the Pace brothers.
It should be a competitive game as the familiar rivals meet for the first time since 2013 and I’m expecting the Bearcats to escape with a 23-21 win in the Fenway Bowl this weekend.