College Football

College football odds Week 1: How to bet Cincinnati-Arkansas

Updated Sep. 1, 2022 4:30 p.m. ET

Cincinnati hits the road to take on Arkansas in the first full week of the 2022 college football season and the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

The Bearcats went undefeated in the regular season for the second consecutive year in 2021 while becoming the first non-Power 5 conference school to crack the College Football Playoff (CFP).

Meanwhile, the Razorbacks are coming off a nine-win season, its highest win total since 2011.

Here's everything you need from a betting perspective on Saturday afternoon's Cincinnati-Arkansas game, from the point spread, moneyline, total over/under and expert pick (odds via FOX Bet).

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Cincinnati @ Arkansas (3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, ESPN)

Point spread: Arkansas -6.5 to win (Arkansas favored to win by more than 6.5 points, otherwise Cincinnati covers)
Moneyline: Arkansas -250 favorite to win (bet $10 to win $14 total); Cincinnati +210 underdog to win (bet $10 to win $31 total)
Total scoring over/under: 52 points scored by both teams combined

Arkansas went 8-4-1 against the spread (ATS) and 9-4 straight up (SU) while the over hit in seven of their 13 games last season. Cincinnati went 8-6 ATS and 13-1 SU while the under hit in eight of their 14 games last season.

Arkansas is 1-1 ATS and 1-1 SU vs. AAC opponents since 2013. They lost and didn't cover as two-point underdogs against Rutgers (now in the Big Ten) in 2013 while beating and covering against Tulsa as seven-point favorites in 2018.

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell is 11-6 ATS and 6-11 SU as a road underdog in his head-coaching career. Meanwhile, he's 8-5 ATS and 5-8 SU as a road underdog as Cincinnati's head coach.

Arkansas is 25-24 ATS and 39-10 SU as home favorites since 2010.

Pick via FOX Sports Betting Analyst Jason McIntyre:

"Way back in April, this game opened at Arkansas -8, and it has now come under the key number of 7 to 6.5 at many shops," he explained. "If you like Cincinnati, shop around for a 7; if you think the Hogs handle their business at home, find a 6.5.

"The public will see an SEC team at home and instantly take it, especially with Cincinnati losing QB Desmond Ridder to the NFL, as well as six other starters, and three members of the secondary, including All-American Sauce Gardner.

The Bearcats ground game behind five returning offensive lineman should hold up, and I’m more worried about the Arkansas passing game with star receiver Treylon Burks off to the NFL. Can Oklahoma transfer Jadon Hazelwood replace him? Slight edge in coaching to Cincy’s Luke Fickell in the coaching game, especially since he’s declined to name a starting QB for the game, adding an element of mystery to what the offense will look like. It’ll be Eastern Michigan transfer Ben Bryant who brings experience, or Evan Prater, the highest-rated recruit in school history.

"This is Bearcats or pass for me."

PICK: Cincinnati (+6.5 at FOX Bet) to lose by fewer than 6.5 points (or win outright)

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